The Best Online Master’s in Corrections Programs
Summary of work: More than 38 hours of research. Every online Master in Corrections program in the US analyzed. 17 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 9 of the best programs identified.
Overview
Corrections professionals supervise and rehabilitate criminal offenders in prisons. More specifically, professionals use their knowledge of criminology, criminal justice, and law enforcement to oversee incarceration, parole, and probation. In addition, they are responsible for the ethical treatment of offenders-they work to ensure that the criminal justice systems recognizes the human rights of incarcerated individuals.
Given recent reports of mistreatment and tense relationships with criminal justice system, many professionals are considering a master’s program in corrections. These programs offer advanced training in topics such as rehabilitation, youth detention, and community protection to ensure students are prepared to work in a variety of environments responsibly. From prisons to courtrooms and offices, students learn to manage and interact with offenders in a way that offers room for rehabilitation while also ensuring justice and community security.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MASTER'S IN CORRECTIONS?
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CAN YOU GET A MASTER'S IN CORRECTIONS ONLINE?
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HOW WELL ACCEPTED ARE ONLINE CORRECTIONS MASTER'S DEGREES?
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HOW CAN I GET A MASTER'S DEGREE IN CORRECTIONS?
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IS A MASTER'S IN CORRECTIONS WORTH IT?
It is undeniable that professionals in corrections serve an essential duty. A master’s degree can give graduates an opportunity to obtain leadership positions in the field. This allows experts to carve a clear path toward more effective rehabilitation and corrections practices that will benefit future generations. In short, a degree can open the door to a fulfilling and positive career.
For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.
Our Methodology
Best Online Masters in Corrections Programs
We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Masters in Corrections program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and a list of the 9 best online Masters in Corrections programs.Read about our methodology here.
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY 40475Eastern Kentucky University's master's in criminal justice program includes a concentration in corrections, an ideal path for students who want to pursue careers as caseworkers. The curriculum includes subjects in juvenile and adult offenders, mental health issues and more, preparing graduates for successful careers after graduation.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Justice and Safety
Program Name: Justice, Policy & Leadership Master's Degree
Available Concentrations: Corrections Policy & Leadership, Juvenile Justice Policy and Leadership, Police Policy and Leadership
Accrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall: August 20; Spring: January 14
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: May 1
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Public
Tuition
$611 per credit
University of the Cumberlands
6178 College Station Dr Williamsburg, KY 40769The University of the Cumberlands designed the corrections program to help preprofessional students further their education for career advancement. Many students in this program have yet to work in the field and want to learn the foundations of criminal justice in order to pursue careers as probation officers, caseworkers, wardens and other related positions.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master's in Justice Administration
Available Concentrations: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Family Services, Investigations, Addiction Studies, KLEC or equivalent
Accrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Credit Requirements: 31 credit hours
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Enroll twice per semester, 6 times per year; Spring: January 7, March 4
Admission RequirementsGPA: 3.0
School Type
Private
Tuition
$315 per credit
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 2115Northeastern University gives students the ability to customize the master's in criminal justice program by concentrating in corrections and creating their own learning paths. Students can pick their own electives and tailor the program to their interests while covering foundational topics in rehabilitation, juvenile corrections and more.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Professional Studies
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Concentration in Corrections
Available Concentrations: Community and Family Justice, Global Criminal Justice, Leadership, Policing, Security
Accrediting Body: New England Commission of Higher Education
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-Time, Part-Time
Program Length: 2-3 years
Program start dates: Fall: September 17; Spring: April 8; Summer: July 8
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: November 1, January 1
School Type
Private
Tuition
$698 per credit
University of Cincinnati
2600 Clifton Ave Cincinnati, OH 45221The University of Cincinnati offers a fast track to a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in corrections. Full-time students in this program can complete their coursework online and graduate in one year.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Criminal Justice
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation Concentration
Available Concentrations: Analysis of Criminal Behavior, Law Enforcement & Crime Prevention
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 33 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, part-time
Program Length: 1-2 years
Program start dates: Fall: August 27; Spring: January 7; Summer: May 8
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: July 20; Spring: December 1; Summer: April 1
GPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
60%
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $724 per credit; Out-of-state: $739 per credit
Kent State University
120 N Lincoln St Kent, OH 44242Kent State University designed its master's in corrections program with smaller class sizes in mind. These small classes are ideal for students who want to receive individualized attention from professors and to collaborate easier with their peers.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Arts and Sciences
Program Name: Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice - Corrections Concentration
Available Concentrations: Global Security, Policing, Victimology
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Undergraduate degree
Credit Requirements: 33 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: January 14
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: December 30
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $676 per credit; Out-of-state: $686 per credit
Columbia College
1001 Rogers St Columbia, MO 65216Columbia College transforms students into future correctional administrators thanks to the master's in criminal justice program with a corrections specialization. Students go on to work as wardens in state prisons and county jails and to oversee the daily operations while managing the budget and the personnel.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Humanities, Arts and Human Science
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Management Emphasis in Corrections Administration
Available Concentrations: Law Enforcement Administration
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Baccalaureate degree
Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall: August 27; Spring: January 7
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Private
Tuition
$490 per credit
Saint Leo University
33701 State Road 52 Saint Leo, FL 33574Saint Leo University has an outstanding faculty that provides the education in the online master's in criminal justice program, which includes a concentration in corrections. The faculty members have numerous years of experience working in the field, including the program director who has more than 30 years of experience working in law enforcement and investigation.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Education & Social Services
Program Name: Criminal Justice, Master of Science - Corrections
Accrediting Body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall: August 22; Spring: January 9
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Private, Non-profit
Tuition
$575 per credit
Albertus Magnus College
700 Prospect St New Haven, CT 6511Albertus Magnus College provides a highly flexible master's in criminal justice program with a concentration in corrections for distance learners. Students can enroll in full- or part-time classes, choose between online and hybrid formats and customize the classes to align with their career goals.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Professional and Graduate Studies
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Correction Concentration
Available Concentrations: Juvenile Justice
Accrediting Body: New England Commission of Higher Education
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 33 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall: August 29; Spring: January 16
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: September 6; Spring: January 24
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Private
Tuition
$2,514 per course
University of the Southwest
6610 North Lovington Highway Hobbs, NM 88240Students looking for an affordable corrections program with all the bells and whistles should consider the University of the Southwest. In terms of value, this university provides a great return on investment thanks to its low tuition rates, convenient online scheduling and educational approach that has graduated leaders in the field.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master's Degree in Business Administration
Available Concentrations: Law Enforcement and Corrections
Accrediting Body: HLC
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from regionally accredited college or university
Credit Requirements: 30-36 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time
Program Length: 2 years
Admission RequirementsGPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
17%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$599 per credit