The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked among the top 25 programs in the nation for online graduate criminal justice, for a fourth consecutive year according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs rankings.

The MCJ program prepares students to administer, analyze, evaluate, and facilitate improvements in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The program has been ranked number 21 in the nation and second in Colorado for 2023. The curriculum emphasizes research design alongside skills required for analyzing empirical data and innovating in crime control and prevention.

Students who advance through the program acquire strategies and skills for promoting individual, organizational, and social change. Additionally, students have the option to pursue a concentration in crime analysis; disasters, hazards, and emergency management; emergency management and homeland security; and gender-based violence. The program, designed for maximum flexibility, can be completed online, in-person, or a combination of both formats.

“We are proud that SPA’s long-standing MCJ program continues to be ranked among the top programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report,” said Paul Teske, Dean of CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs. “With our world-class faculty, the flexibility of online and in-person classes, and affordable state tuition, it is a great option for those looking for a graduate degree that opens up career opportunities, to help lead agencies, solve problems, and improve our criminal justice systems.”

U.S. News selects factors, known as ranking indicators, to assess each online graduate criminal justice program in the categories of engagement, faulty credentials and training, peer assessment, services and technology, and student excellence. A program's score for each ranking indicator is calculated using data that programs reported to U.S. News in a statistical survey and a peer reputation survey completed by 103 schools with online programs in criminal justice.

“The online MCJ program sets a standard of excellence for education in criminology and criminal justice,” said Professor Mary Dodge, Director of the MCJ program. “The strength of the program includes internationally known professors who share their exciting research and insights into the world of crime, theory, systems, and policy. Students can select numerous specialty areas and have opportunities to interact with a wide variety of criminal justice agencies including, for example, courts, law enforcement, corrections, victim services, and data analysis.”

Notable alumni of the program include Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff; Karen Drewelow, Assistant Director of the Botvin LifeSkills Training program of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado Boulder; Jessica Swann, Executive Director of Addiction Recovery Consulting; and Sari Weichbrodt, Rules, Policies, and Procedures Advisor for the Colorado Department of Transportation and Managing Editor of the Journal of Crime, Law and Social Change.

Learn more about the Master of Criminal Justice program, including admission and application requirements. Applications are accepted for the fall, spring, and summer terms, with deadlines of August 1, December 1, and May 1, respectively. To set up a virtual appointment with the School of Public Affairs’ recruiting and admissions team, contact spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu.