Criminal Justice
Master of Science (M.S.)
Graduate Major
Grand Rapids • Hybrid • 36 Credits
Criminal justice students study the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections) as well as crime, its victims, and responses to crime and violent behavior. A master's degree can open doors to higher-level positions within law enforcement, corrections, and legal fields.
Overview
Grand Valley's Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Justice at Grand Valley State University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system—policing, courts, and corrections—and crime, its impact on victims, and society's responses to criminal and violent behavior. Rooted in the social sciences and humanities, the curriculum blends theoretical insights into criminal behavior with practical skills needed for professional success. Students earn mastery in criminology and criminal justice, preparing them for ethical leadership, specialization, and scholarship in their careers, classrooms, and communities. Designed for individuals aiming to advance in criminal justice or pursue doctoral studies, the program cultivates well-rounded professionals ready to make a meaningful impact.
Students in the Criminal Justice program engage in a comprehensive study of various topics within the field. The coursework includes subjects such as criminology, criminal justice policy, legal and ethical issues, research methodology and statistics, victimology, and contemporary issues in criminal justice. This diverse curriculum equips students with a broad understanding of the criminal justice system, preparing them for a range of professional roles and challenges in the field.
This program goes beyond Grand Valley's undergraduate degree, helping students master the criminal justice discipline and network with experienced professionals. Our faculty are nationally recognized for their contributions and combine fieldwork with extensive scholarship. Small class sizes allow for personalized attention and mentorships with professors through graduate assistantships.
School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies
gvsu.edu/cj
289C Richard M.
DeVos Center
(616) 331-7130
Program Director
Carrie Buist, Ph.D.
(616) 331-7141
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The recommended deadline for fall semester start is June 1; recommended deadline for winter is November 1. Applications received past the deadline may still be reviewed in time for the start of the subsequent semester, but enrollment cannot be guaranteed. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Career Opportunities
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Top skills- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 61,380.80 | 10% |
| $ 72,134.39 | 25% |
| $ 75,462.40 | 50% |
| $ 86,548.80 | 75% |
| $104,561.60 | 90% |
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 71,822.39 | 10% |
| $ 82,388.80 | 25% |
| $ 92,560.00 | 50% |
| $118,247.99 | 75% |
| $166,295.99 | 90% |
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 71,822.39 | 10% |
| $ 82,388.80 | 25% |
| $ 92,560.00 | 50% |
| $118,247.99 | 75% |
| $166,295.99 | 90% |
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 53,445.92 | 10% |
| $ 69,467.80 | 25% |
| $ 85,818.33 | 50% |
| $ 95,602.14 | 75% |
| $106,629.15 | 90% |
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 56,700.80 | 10% |
| $ 65,873.60 | 25% |
| $ 79,227.20 | 50% |
| $ 79,229.28 | 75% |
| $ 81,432.00 | 90% |
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Students Participated in Experiential Learning
Victim and Advocacy Services Graduate Badge
A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. The Victim and Advocacy Services badge provides a comprehensive, in-depth look at how to best serve victims of crime. The curriculum provides students with a foundational understanding of the practice of victim advocacy and associated services. Students will examine the crime victims' rights movement and relevant legislation as well as the criminal-legal process for crime victims.
Career Advising
Whether you are a first-year student, a transfer student, or a current student thinking about your career options, advising is an important part of your academic journey.
Criminal Justice Scholarship Opportunity
The William Hegarty Scholarship is awarded on a yearly basis to a Grand Valley State University Criminal Justice graduate student, working in law enforcement. Hegarty was Chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department from 1982 to 1997 and taught as an adjunct in the School of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley from 1984 until 1997. Chief Hegarty had a special fondness for GVSU and his teaching legacy lives on.
Learn more about this unique scholarship.
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at
GVSU.
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