What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is a system that maintains social control, prevents crime, or penalizes those who commit crimes. Concerns for homeland security have increased the emphasis on educated professionals in criminal justice. Criminal justice professionals need:
- A well-rounded understanding of corrections, courts, and policing
- Cross-functional knowledge to develop an interdependent, cohesive workforce
- Advanced critical-thinking and problem-solving capabilities
- Problem-solving skills to work with individuals, groups, and communities
Why Choose Capella?
Capella’s criminal justice programs provide a range of skills and knowledge necessary for professionals to ensure the safety and security of their communities. Engage with a community of peers, experienced faculty, and coaching staff to develop your research skills, program planning and management, policy analysis, and program evaluation. You’ll gain the personal and workplace effectiveness skills to tackle some of society’s most difficult challenges.
Hands-On Learning
Gain new critical-thinking and decision-making abilities with simulated real-world situations to practice criminal justice skills in a fail-safe environment.
Credit Where Credit is Due
You may be able to earn a degree in less time with your work experience, prior learning, and certifications.
Respected in the Field
We partner with over 500 recognized institutions in the United States, including security organizations.
Interactive, Hands-On Tools for Effective Leadership
Transcript: Capella’s Approach to Public Service Leadership
As a part of your courses, you’ll use interactive tools to apply what you learn in your criminal justice program and develop problem-solving and leadership skills. You’ll encounter challenging, realistic problems designed to help you become a more effective leader.
Programs Available
Serve your community in a variety of roles and settings.
PhD Criminal Justice
Jobs and Employment Settings
With a PhD in Criminal Justice, you’ll create new knowledge that expands your leadership and communication skills allowing you to address the complex challenges facing police, courts, and corrections.
Jobs
- Commander or chief
- Consultant to the justice system or law enforcement
- Correctional administrator or commissioner
- Crime scene investigative unit manager
- Faculty–full time, adjunct, or part time
- Management and program analyst
- Parole administrator or commissioner
- Prison warden
- Research personnel within law enforcement and justice
Employment settings
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Correctional Facility
- Department of Corrections
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Probation and Parole
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Law Enforcement Organization
- Municipal Court System
- U.S. Department of Justice
MS Criminal Justice
Jobs and Employment Settings
A Master’s in Criminal Justice will deepen your understanding of human behavior, public policy, cultural awareness, social change, and other factors that intersect with the field of criminal justice.
Jobs
- Community correctional worker
- Correctional officer
- County sheriff
- Criminal investigator
- Drug enforcement officer
- FBI agent
- Police chief
- Sheriff
- Staff personnel in juvenile justice program
Employment settings
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Correctional facility
- Department of Corrections
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Probation and Parole
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Law Enforcement Organization
- Municipal Court System
- U.S. Department of Justice
BS Criminal Justice
Jobs and Employment Settings
Lay the foundation for a career in criminal justice or expand your existing skills with a flexible, online competency-based Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice.
Jobs
- Case worker
- Correctional officer
- Customs agent
- Drug enforcement administration agent
- Emergency management coordinator
- Investigator/associate investigator
- Police officer
- Security manager
- Victim specialist
Employment settings
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Correctional facility
- Department of Corrections
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Probation and Parole
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Law Enforcement Organization
- Municipal Court System
- U.S. Department of Justice