Criminology and Criminal Justice

The Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice concentrates both on the problem of crime as a form of deviant behavior, and on the criminal justice and private security systems that deal with it. The program emphasizes a systems approach to criminal justice, stressing policy development and analysis, as well as the impact these policies have on the individuals and organizations charged with delivering justice in a fair and equitable manner. Broad in concept and scope, it encompasses such related disciplines as law, sociology, political science, psychology, criminology, and public administration.

A key part of the master's education is to develop and grow intellectually and ethically in order to make communities safer and to ensure justice. Students learn the skills necessary to impact policy and practice by becoming producers and critical consumers of research and scholarship.

The master’s program is comprised of required courses that deliver both substantive and technical skills. Additionally, students choose elective courses from offerings within the graduate program in criminal justice. The course offerings afford students the flexibility to customize their own programs, which may include directed study. Faculty members in the graduate program represent several different academic disciplines and teaching activities that vary in nature, depending on the instructors’ specific objectives. The faculty’s specialized interests help make possible a broad range of program offerings including courses on the criminal justice process, victimology, security management, criminal law, juvenile justice, law and psychology, and terrorism. Please visit the MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice site to learn more about the program and download a free brochure.

Faculty members in the graduate program represent several different academic disciplines and teaching activities that vary in nature, depending on the instructors’ specific objectives. The faculty’s specialized interests help make possible a broad range of program offerings including courses on the criminal justice process, victimology, security management, criminal law, juvenile justice, law and psychology, and terrorism.

Please visit the MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice site to learn more about the program and download a free brochure.

More Details

The Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for professional and research careers in criminal justice, criminology, and related fields. Students apply multidisciplinary and comparative social science to understand, predict, and explain crime, and to contribute to the development of public policy within and across U.S. communities. To learn more about the program and download a free brochure, please visit the MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice site.

Admissions Dates

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

• Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

• 1.Create your application

  Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.

• 2.Submit all required materials

  Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

• 3.Check your application status

  Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.