Overview

The Criminal Justice master’s programme at Georgia State University is designed to prepare the next generation of scholars, researchers, and policy analysts. This curriculum integrates advanced criminological theory with practical research methods to help students understand the complexities of crime and the implementation of effective justice systems. By studying in a major urban hub, students engage with real-world challenges through an ethical and evidence-based framework.

Why Criminal Justice at Georgia State University?

Students benefit from learning at an R1 research institution, which represents the highest tier of research activity in the United States. The programme is housed within the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, which is highly ranked for its excellence in public affairs. Its location in downtown Atlanta provides unparalleled access to federal and state agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. These connections allow students to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice in a living classroom environment.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 16651 per semester
National fee: USD 16180 per semester
Local fee: USD 4895 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours, including core requirements and a choice between a thesis or a capstone project. Modules may include:

Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice
Criminological Theory
Research Methods
Statistics
Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice
Data and Analysis

Careers with Criminal Justice

Graduates are well-equipped for leadership and analytical roles across various sectors of the legal system. Many alumni secure positions as crime analysts, policy researchers, or victim advocates within government and nonprofit organisations. The programme also serves as a strong foundation for those intending to pursue a Ph.D. or enter law school. Former students have successfully advanced into agent and analyst roles at prestigious employers such as the Secret Service, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice
Criminological Theory
Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Statistics in Criminal Justice
Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
Ethics in Criminal Justice

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Atlanta, United States

Disciplines

Criminal Justice View 335 other Masters in Criminal Justice in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

Submitted Online Application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.

Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.

Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee.

Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores: Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by Georgia State by the application deadline.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.

Three letters of recommendation: Letters should be submitted through the online application.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33302 USD / year

≈ 33302 USD / year
Out-of-State

32360 USD / year

≈ 32360 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9790 USD / year

≈ 9790 USD / year

Living costs

Atlanta

United States

1213 - 2208 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Criminal Justice.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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