Lead the Criminal Justice Field Forward

Seton Hill’s online Applied Leadership in Criminal Justice (ALCJ) Program will provide you with practical application and training for numerous types of employment within the criminal justice field - as well as opportunities for promotional advancement. This unique program focuses on development of culturally-relevant knowledge and sustainable skill sets for meaningful work in the criminal justice field.

Seton Hill's Criminal Justice Program

The Graduate Criminal Justice Program at Seton Hill University, which is housed within the School of Education & Applied Social Sciences, is dedicated to the preparation of criminal justice practitioners who:

• Engage with diverse populations and individuals.
• Develop unique policy and programming opportunities directed at preventative and rehabilitative efforts. 
• Value evidence-based practices.
• Communicate effectively and in culturally appropriate ways.
• Advocate for socially-conscious change within criminal justice institutions.

Why Earn Your Applied Leadership in Criminal Justice M.A. at Seton Hill?

• 30 credit online master’s can be completed online in 1 year - or at a slower pace if that suits your schedule better.
• Online courses are asynchronous - so you don’t have to commit to specific class times. This makes it easy to work full-time while completing your degree.
• No GMAT or GRE required for admission to the program.
• Seton Hill offers graduate students financial aid, tuition discounts and comprehensive enrollment support.
• Expert faculty with academic expertise and practical experience in criminology and criminal justice who will get to know you and help you succeed.
• You will receive consistent 1 to 1 support from an academic advisor, keeping you on track for graduation and career goals.
• Seton Hill's Career and Professional Development Center can assist you with everything from optimizing your resume to finding a position – and the Center will continue to be available to you after you graduate.
• Tuition discounts for Seton Hill alumni, employees of Seton Hill Employer Partners, first responders and people working in law enforcement, and active and former members of the military. 

After Earning This Degree, You'll Be Prepared to:

• Work effectively and provide beneficial leadership within diverse populations and organizations.
• Analyze the impact of cultural, political, and social implications on various organizations within the criminal justice system.
• Engage in collaborative opportunities with communities, colleagues, and stakeholders within criminal justice organizations. 
• Investigate complex ethical issues as well as values-based services in a professional setting and design resolutions to address those issues. 
• Recommend explanations - and possible solutions - for historical and current issues being faced by the criminal justice system.  
• Conduct and evaluate research.
• Understand and implement evidence-based and rehabilitative approaches.
• Communicate effectively. 

Solid Career Outlook

Career opportunities for graduates with this degree are diverse and come with a range of competitive salaries. They include advanced and leadership positions in:

• Law Enforcement: Local, State & Federal
• Legal System
• Corrections 
• Probation & Parole
• Court System: State & Federal
• Private Security
• Private Investigations
• Social & Community Services

Convenient Program Format & Flexible Time Commitment

This online program can be  completed:

• Within 1 year on a full-time basis, if you take 2 courses during each 8-week session from August to May (M1 – M5). 
• Over 2 years on a part-time basis, if you take 1 course during each 8-week session from August to May (M1 – M5) for two academic years. 

View Seton Hill’s academic calendar for specific session dates.

Streamlined Admission Requirements

• A completed graduate study application form. (Apply online now for free!)
• A bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice or a related discipline from an accredited institution and official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions attended.
• Official transcript(s) from any institution(s) in which postbaccalaureate or graduate course work was completed.
• One letter of recommendation from an appropriate professional.
• A current resume.
• A personal statement explaining how this Seton Hill graduate program can help you accomplish your professional goals.

In addition to the admission requirements above, applicants to the M.A. in Applied Leadership in Criminal Justice must have:

• Maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 while earning an undergraduate degree.
• Completed at least 3 credits of statistics and 3 credits of English composition.

Students who do not meet the course requirements may complete them concurrently during the Summer Session, either at Seton Hill or another accredited institution. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and new cohorts matriculate every fall.