Criminology and Criminal Justice (Accelerated MS)

Program Availability

The Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s program is available as a traditional, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana, or as an online program of study. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements. 

Why Choose the Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s Program at Indiana State? 

If your educational and career goals include earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s program is an ideal pathway that can save you time and money while positioning you for a dynamic, highly rewarding criminal justice career.  

Go Further Faster 

As an undergraduate student in Indiana State University’s School of Criminology and Security Studies (enrolled in the Criminology and Criminal Justice BS, Cybercriminology and Security Studies BS, or Intelligence Analysis BS programs), you may be eligible to participate in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s (4+1) program. 

This degree option enables you to combine undergraduate and graduate courses and begin your master’s degree during your senior year of undergraduate study. This dual enrollment pathway enables you to complete your master’s degree one year after completing your bachelor’s degree. 

It is important to contact an academic advisor early in your studies to determine your eligibility, discuss program and GPA requirements, and plan your program of study. 

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty 

Indiana State University’s School of Criminology and Security Studies is proud to feature award-winning faculty who bring decades of experience in criminal justice, cybercriminology, intelligence analysis, and other specialties to their courses. Most hold doctoral degrees and are engaged in research and other scholarly and professional activities.  

Our relatively small classes allow you to work one-on-one with instructors in research and interactive coursework that emphasizes teamwork, active inquiry, and practical experience, in addition to lectures. For students in the online program, small online classes also give you the chance to communicate one-on-one with your faculty and receive feedback. 

Gain Hands-On Laboratory Experience 

Students enrolled in the on-campus Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s program receive hands-on training in a state-of-the-art Crime Laboratory and a Cyber/Intel Laboratory. Students practice advanced investigative, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and intelligence and behavioral analysis techniques. 

The Crime Lab facility features technology to support ballistic analysis, fingerprint collection, trace evidence collection, blood spatter analysis, crime scene documentation, and related activities. The Cyber/Intel Lab is equipped with an 85-inch Sony monitor and individual workstations with HP laptop computers, 32-inch LG monitors, and gaming chairs. 

Have Practical Learning Experiences 

In the Accelerated Criminology and Criminal Justice MS program, your education is enhanced with professional internships, research (often with faculty), and other professional development activities. These practical experiences could be directed toward specific topical interests and career goals. 

What You’ll Learn in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s Program 

The Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s program focuses on the scientific, experiential approach to the nature and extent of crime, the causes of crime, and the development of methods designed to effectively prevent and control criminal behavior while achieving justice. The 4+1 accelerated program combines undergraduate and graduate courses leading to completion of the master’s degree in five years. 

Coursework provides an overview of the criminal justice system, criminal behavior, criminal law, criminal justice administration, and their relationship to broader society. Once you complete the bachelor’s degree, you will take seminars in the accelerated master’s program on specific topics and interests in areas including criminological theories, criminal procedure, criminal justice organization and management, and techniques in corrections. 

Throughout the program, an advisor will work with you to ensure a seamless pathway from your bachelor’s degree through the completion of your master’s degree. The accelerated master’s degree program concludes with a comprehensive written examination. 

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Career Possibilities for Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s Graduates 

Graduates of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Accelerated Master’s program are prepared for careers with local, state, and federal agencies and in the private sector. These can include positions in courts administration; corrections; cybercriminology and security; law enforcement; national security and intelligence; and security planning and threat assessment. 

Many of our alumni are employed by the FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, NCIS, ICE, TSA, Border Patrol, and other Homeland Security agencies, as well as the National Institute of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 

Each spring, the School of Criminology and Security Studies hosts a Criminology and Criminal Justice Career Fair where students meet with representatives of agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency, the Indiana State Police, and many others. The event helps our accelerated master’s students network with recruiters and discover excellent job opportunities in their fields of interest. 

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The School of Criminology and Security Studies has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.