This is a list of schools and programs that focus on the most affordable accelerated options for an Online Master’s in Corrections Management. The rise in the number of accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management programs is a good sign that American colleges and universities are taking the field seriously.
Management professionals who work in the corrections sector are individuals who thrive under pressure and provide balance and ethical leadership in a field that focuses on punishing and rehabilitating those who have broken the law. It is imperative that they receive the best possible education as they are important to ensure that the corrections field continues to operate as designed by local, state, and federal officials.
But corrections professionals who are interested in becoming managers and administrators in the field do not have time for a traditional degree. They need flexible online programs that are affordable and can be completed in two years or less because they are working adults who have other obligations. Now that corrections management in online criminal justice programs are available, ambitious professionals can work to achieve all of their career goals.
Methodology For Fast Online Masters
This listing would not have been possible without the free and publicly available information that was found on the National Center for Education’s website and its College Navigator database. An initial pool of 25 schools was identified simply by searching for accelerated online Master’s in Corrections Management. Each school was then reviewed for tuition information, degree timelines, and other factors. The final 20 schools, which are listed below, were chosen based on the total estimated in-state graduate tuition cost for the program.
20. Bethune-Cookman University
Tuition: $24,750
The accelerated Online Master’s in Corrections Management degree that is available from Bethune-Cookman University was designed to be completed in two years through a full-time course of study. Students will find that this degree is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements. All courses for this online criminal justice degree are delivered asynchronously and synchronously in 16-week sessions.
The program offers students the option to complete either a thesis or a capstone project as their culminating experience for the online criminal justice degree. Students who complete three courses every term will be able to graduate in two years or less.
This degree’s graduation requirements include a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, a capstone project or thesis, and a comprehensive written or oral exit exam. Sample courses include Theories of Justice for Criminal Justice Professionals, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Proseminar in Criminal Justice Personnel Management.
19. Purdue Global University
Tuition: $23,100
Purdue Global University is home to an affordable accelerated Online Master’s in Corrections Management degree that can be completed in two years or less. This is a 100 percent online degree that has no residency requirements. All courses are available online through the school’s learning management system; courses are offered live or on-demand and released in 16-week terms.
Students who choose to complete two or more courses per term will be able to graduate within two years. This online criminal justice degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, as well as a thesis and an oral defense of the project. Students can learn more about this program’s requirements as well as course offerings by calling the graduate admissions office.
18. Arizona State University
Tuition: $23,001
The one-year Master’s in Corrections Management online degree that is conferred by Arizona State University was designed to be completed in an accelerated format. The online criminal justice degree is currently nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report. This program was designed to be completed entirely online with no residency requirements. Students instead will take all of their courses online through the school’s virtual portal; courses are held asynchronously and synchronously in sessions that last seven-and-a-half weeks.
Students who take two courses every consecutive term will graduate within one year. Students will be expected to complete 33 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, The Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice, Seminar in Criminal Justice, and Criminal Justice Planning and Program Evaluation.
17. Kent State University
Tuition: $22,308
Kent State University confers an affordable accelerated Online Master’s in Corrections Management degree that can be completed in two years without ever stepping foot on campus. This online criminal justice degree comes with four concentrations: Corrections, Policing, Global Security, and Victimology. The curriculum is delivered through the school’s online learning management system and features small class sizes, online tutoring, asynchronous and synchronous sessions, and access to the department’s faculty.
Students who take two courses every seven weeks will graduate within two years. This program requires 33 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Issues in Police Work, Emerging Trends and Issues in Corrections, and Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.
16. The University of the Southwest
Tuition: $22,000
Students at the University of the Southwest will be able to graduate with an accelerated Online Master’s in Corrections Management degree in two years or less. This program, which is grounded in the business discipline, is offered wholly online and students will never have to step foot on campus. This online criminal justice degree courses are offered asynchronously through the school’s virtual portal; sessions last for 16 weeks each.
Ambitious students who take three courses every term will graduate in two years; those who take advantage of the summer session may be able to graduate faster. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, the Organizational Design and Strategy Capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Administration of Organizations in the Criminal Justice System, Administration of Corrections Organizations, and Crime Mapping.
15. The University of Colorado at Denver
Tuition: $21,761
The University of Colorado at Denver delivers an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that can be completed entirely online. Students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply to this program; however, students without prior experience in the field will be required to complete an internship within their community.
The courses for this program are available online through the school’s learning management system, where sessions run in 16-week sessions and students can attend their courses asynchronously or synchronously. This program comes with two options for the culminating experience: a thesis or a field capstone project. Other requirements for graduation include 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Special Topics in Criminal Justice, Criminological Theory, and Statistics.
14. The University of Cincinnati
Tuition: $21,702
Students who are interested in earning an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree will be happy with the program offered by the University of Cincinnati. This online criminal justice degree is the top-ranked online graduate program in the field as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
The program comes with three concentrations: Analysis of Criminal Behavior, Law Enforcement, and Crime Prevention, and Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation. Students will be able to complete all of their coursework online through the school’s learning management system.
Courses are offered as live or on-demand sessions that run for 15 weeks. Students who take two or more courses every semester will graduate within two years; those who take four courses will graduate within one year. This program requires 33 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s degree, the Demonstration Research Project, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Statistics in Criminal Justice, Basic Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Seminar in Criminal Justice.
13. Sam Houston State University
Tuition: $20,853
Sam Houston State University confers an excellent accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management that was designed as a part-time plan of study that can be completed in two years. Created for working professionals, this online criminal justice degree is offered wholly online; students who live close to campus can also opt to take some courses on campus if they so desire. All courses required for the program as well as the majority of the electives can be found through the school’s virtual portal.
Each course lasts for 16 weeks and is available either asynchronously or synchronously. Students who take just two courses every term, including one summer term, will graduate within two years. This online criminal justice degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a thesis, and a comprehensive oral exit exam. More information on the degree requirements and sample course offerings can be found by calling the school’s graduate admissions office.
11. Tie – St. Leo University
Tuition: $20,700
The accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that is available from St. Leo University was designed to be a 100 percent online program that graduates students within two years. The program was built to prepare students for administrative positions within the corrections system in the country and features a wide variety of courses that students can take. All courses for this online criminal justice degree can be located on the school’s online learning management system.
Courses run for 16 weeks and feature live and on-demand sessions, small class sizes, a robust forum, and online reference materials. The criminal justice program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, the Applied Project in Criminal Justice Administration, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Administration, Contemporary Issues in Community Corrections, and Management of Human Resources in Criminal Justice Agencies.
11. Tie – Lewis University
Tuition: $20,700
Lewis University has created an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that will prepare working professionals to become managers and administrators in the field. This wholly online degree program can be completed in two years when students choose a full-time plan of study. The degree’s coursework and assignments are completed through the school’s virtual portal, where sessions are live or on-demand and are completed in the traditional 16-week term format.
Students will be able to take a diverse set of core courses and free electives to advance their knowledge of the field. This criminal justice program requires 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Fair Practices — Labor Relations in the Public Sector, White Collar Crime, and Correctional Counseling and Rehabilitation.
10. Grand Canyon University
Tuition: $19,570
Students who are seeking an accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management that fits their needs will want to check out Grand Canyon University. This school offers students a degree that can be completed entirely online and within two years. Students will complete their coursework assignments, quizzes, and exams through the school’s virtual portal. All courses are held in 16-week sessions and feature asynchronous and synchronous options for the convenience of students.
Students who take on a full-time course of study may graduate within 18 months. This criminal justice program requires 38 quarter credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Crime Analysis and Case Management, Strategic Analysis and Organizational Planning, and Exploration of Law and Public Policy.
9. Xavier University
Tuition: $18,750
Students who undertake the affordable accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree from Xavier University will graduate within two years without ever stepping foot on campus. This program, as well as the graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Administration, are available wholly online. Students who take on this criminal justice program will be prepared to take on mid-level administration positions within the field or take on doctoral study.
Courses for this program are offered as on-demand sessions that are available through the school’s virtual portal. Each session lasts for eight weeks and there are six start dates every year. Ambitious students who take on a full course load for every term will graduate with a one-year online master’s in corrections management.
This criminal justice program requires that students complete 30 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a research project, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Research and Planning in Criminal Justice, Sociology of Crime and Delinquency, and Correctional Counseling.
8. Eastern Kentucky University
Tuition: $18,330
Eastern Kentucky University has a highly ranked accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that features a criminal justice core curriculum blended together with a social justice focus. The program is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report. This is a 100 percent online criminal justice program; students will never have to step foot on campus. Courses are available as live or on-demand sessions through the school’s online learning management system, making it easier than ever for working adults to complete their online criminal justice programs.
Sessions for this program run for eight weeks; this course of study is best taken as a part-time plan of study. Students who take just one course every term will graduate in less than two years. This criminal justice program requires that students complete 30 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, the Capstone Applied Research Project, and a comprehensive oral exit exam. Sample courses include Research Methods for Justice Policy and Leadership, Advanced Justice Administration and Leadership, and Comparative and International Policing.
7. McKendree University
Tuition: $17,820
Students at McKendree University will graduate with an accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management that will propel them into leadership positions within the field. This criminal justice degree was built on the scholar-practitioner model and can be completed in as little as 18 months. Working students will love the small class sizes, asynchronous courses, the online learning management system, and the fact that each course runs for just eight weeks.
This makes it possible for even part-time students to complete the criminal justice degree in two years. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Advanced Studies in Criminal Justice, Criminological Theory, and Ethics, The Law, and Individual Rights.
6. Columbia College
Tuition: $17,640
Columbia College is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management that can be completed entirely online and in two years. This is a great choice for professionals who are interested in entering law school after graduation or for those who are interested in pursuing doctoral study after they graduate from the program. The program comes with a variety of options, including two concentrations: Corrections Administration or Law Enforcement Administration.
Students will complete all of their degree requirements through the school’s online learning management system; courses are offered live or on-demand and follow the traditional 16-week academic term structure. This criminal justice programs can be earned within two years provided that students choose to follow a full-time plan of study.
This criminal justice degree requires that criminal justice students complete 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, the Emergent Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership capstone project, and a comprehensive oral exit exam. Sample courses include Budgeting and Planning for Criminal Justice Managers, Criminal Justice Policy Development and Evaluation, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice.
5. Wilmington University
Tuition: $17,172
Students at Wilmington University are offered the chance to earn an accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management in two years or less. This criminal justice degree comes with three concentrations: Leadership and Administration, Criminal Behavior, and Homeland Security; it is also possible to earn a post master’s certificate in Homeland Security.
As a 100 percent online course of study, criminal justice students will complete all of their courses online through the school’s learning management system. Courses follow the standard 16-week academic term schedule and are delivered live or on-demand for the convenience of students.
This criminal justice degree requires that students to successfully complete 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a research project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Technology for Modern Policing, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Criminal Justice Ethics.
4. Oklahoma State University
Tuition: $13,469
Oklahoma State University is home to a 12-month online Master’s in Corrections Management degree that was built for working professionals. This degree comes with three optional concentrations: Corrections Management, Restorative Justice, and Administrative Leadership. All three concentrations can be earned separately as graduate certificates. This is a 100 percent online criminal justice degreethat has no residency requirements.
Students will take their courses online through the school’s virtual portal which follow the traditional academic term format of 16 weeks. Criminal justice students who take on a full course load will graduate within one year; part-time students will successfully graduate in two years.
This criminal justice degree requires that students complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a thesis or capstone project, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Research Methods for Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Policy Development, labor statistics, and Ethical Decision Making in Criminal Justice.
3. The University of North Texas
Tuition: $11,812
The accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that is available from the University of North Texas is offered wholly online and can be completed in two years. The program is currently ranked second in Texas and in the top 20 in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Students will take all of their courses as asynchronous sessions that are found through the school’s online learning management system.
Courses follow the 16-week academic term format. Students who take just two courses every term and take advantage of the summer term will graduate in two years. This criminal justice degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Criminal Justice Policy, juvenile justice courses, Advanced Criminology Theory, labor statistics, and Evaluation and Research Methodologies.
2. William Carey University
Tuition: $11,100
William Carey University offers a practitioner-based accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that is perfect for working adults interested in management positions within the field. This criminal justice degree is available 100 percent online, has no campus residency requirements, and is open to students of all work and education backgrounds.
The program was designed to be completed online through the use of asynchronous and synchronous courses that last for 16 weeks each. All courses can be found on the school’s learning management system. Students can choose to opt out of the thesis requirement in favor of completing a comprehensive written exit exam.
Other requirements for this criminal justice degree include a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and a research project, and already having a bachelor’s in criminal justice. Sample courses include Human Resource Management in Criminal Justice, juvenile justice courses, Applied Research Methods, and Advanced Criminal Investigations.
1. The University of the Cumberlands
Tuition: $10,215
The University of the Cumberlands is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Correction Management degree that was built for working professionals and pre-service students alike. This is a 100 percent online course of study that has no residency requirements and was designed by experienced professionals in the field.
The program has a stated focus on rural and local justice administration. Students will complete all of theircriminal justice degree requirements online through the school’s virtual portal, where sessions last for 16 weeks and are held in either an asynchronous or synchronous format.
Students will be expected to complete 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam, and already have a bachelor’s in criminal justice. Sample courses include Legal and Ethical Issues in Homeland Security, Foundations in Justice Administration, and Statistical Applications in Justice Administration.
What are the Career Options for an Accelerated Online Master’s in Corrections Management Degree?
- Correctional Counselor
- Juvenile Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Juvenile Corrections Officer
- Federal Correctional Administrator
- Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Federal Correctional Case Manager
- Director of Court Services
- Federal Probation Officer
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Local Correctional Case Manager
- Juvenile Correctional Case Manager
- Parole Officer
- Juvenile Correctional Counselor
- State Correctional Administrator
- Probation Officer
How Much Can You Earn With An Online Master’s Corrections Degree?
The current salary range for this field is $45,000 with a already have a bachelor’s degree to just over $100,000 with a master’s. The corrections field is broad and encompasses local, county, state, and federal facilities. Professionals will find that salaries vary based on region and the level of corrections facility that they are applying to work in; federal facilities generally pay more than local or state facilities. Private correctional facilities pay the most but are also the most competitive in terms of job applicants.
It’s important to note here that the salary range accounts for a wide variety of positions. Some of these positions may require additional endorsements or certifications while others will require graduate work in another field. Counseling positions within the corrections field are one such set of positions in which professionals will need to hold a license to practice in their state.
What are the Various Disciplines of Corrections Management?
Corrections management is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses management, administration, government, criminal justice, social administration, corrections, psychology, sociology, and more. Individuals who work in the field will also be required to have a strong understanding of rehabilitation, and the law. These jobs may depend on if you have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree
Management professionals in this field will focus on managerial and administration disciplines; these include business, human resources, leadership, finance, accounting, and more. As a field that requires constant contact with people from various backgrounds as well as interaction with the criminal justice system, professionals are expected to have strong communication, interpersonal, intrapersonal, critical thinking, and writing skills.
Is a Master’s in Corrections Management Worth It?
Corrections management is a field that is critical to the way that the criminal justice system works in America. Without it, individuals convicted of crimes would not receive legal punishment or rehabilitation and may continue their criminal activities. Professionals in this field, then, are necessary to the field and provide ethical leadership to ensure that all are treated equally when in custody of the state. While many professionals feel that a graduate degree is out of their reach, this list of accelerated online Master’s in Corrections Management degrees proves that everyone can meet their career goals within this field.
Related:
TOP 25 MOST AFFORDABLE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ONLINE PROGRAMS
30 PROS AND CONS FOR GETTING A FAST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE
ARE ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS EASIER TO GET INTO?
