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Dual Master of Arts in Criminal Justice / Master of Public Administration online

Apply By: 2/26/27
Start Class: 3/15/27
Apply Now

Program Overview

Two degrees. One program. Twice the opportunity.

$20,925* Total Tuition
As few as 16 months Program Duration
45 Credit Hours

Drive meaningful change in communities with the MA in Criminal Justice and MPA Dual online Degree. This unique online program empowers you to earn two respected master's degrees through a streamlined curriculum that pairs criminal justice expertise with public administration expertise in leadership, budgeting, personnel management and policy analysis.

Whether you work in law enforcement, corrections, courts, public safety, or government, this flexible online format is designed to fit your schedule so you can finish in as few as 16 months. With applied coursework, community-engaged projects, and mentorship from faculty active in the field, you’ll build the practical experience and connections you need to move into leadership roles.

Upon completion of the online Criminal Justice and Public Administration Master’s Dual Degree program you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the practical skills necessary for the management of public and nonprofit organizations, such as grant writing, budgeting, public speaking, human resources management, organizational behavior, electronic communication, and report writing
  • Gather and analyze data to advance the knowledge and practice of public administration, public policy, crime, and criminal justice institutions and policies
  • Demonstrate qualities of leadership by applying critical-thinking skills to analyze evidence-based solutions to crime and criminal justice-related problems and effectively communicate those ideas orally and in writing
  • Evaluate, apply and assess the implications of criminological theory in analysis of criminal justice policy
  • Assess the development, implementation and impact of criminal justice policies and procedures
  • Articulate the theoretical and institutional foundations of the public and nonprofit sectors, and how these sectors are shaped by their economic, social, and political environments

Available career options with an MPA and Criminal Justice dual degree:

  • Corrections Administrator
  • Emergency Management Director
  • Law Enforcement Director
  • State Agency Administrator
  • Court Administrator

The Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana is one of only 5 percent of business schools worldwide to earn this prestigious accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Also available:

USI also offers a standalone criminal justice program and multiple MPA options online. Check out all of our College of Liberal Arts online programs.

$20,925* Total Tuition
As few as 16 months Program Duration
45 Credit Hours

The Online MBA in a Few Words

Listen to successful graduates and students describe their experience in the USI online MBA program.

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Need more information?

Call 844-515-9104844-515-9104

Tuition

Double your credentials without doubling your cost

This unique dual degree offers students the opportunity to complete 45 credits and earn two degrees instead of the 60 credits that would be required if you completed them separately.

View additional tuition information +

View additional tuition information

For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page.

*Tuition applicable for current start dates and is subject to change. Any questions regarding tuition should be directed to the Bursar's Office. If you step out of the program, returning to the program may have different tuition and fees applied.

Application Fee

Application fee: $40

Active military service members and veterans receive an admission fee waiver. Simply apply online and select the "military waiver" option, then contact our office at 800-467-1965 so we may submit the proper forms to Graduate Studies.

Billing and Payment Schedule

https://www.usi.edu/bursar/billing-and-payments

Financial Aid

View financial aid information +

The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your FAFSA must be received by the federal processing center by April 15th each year to be considered for state financial aid as well as federal financial aid. USI's Federal School Code is 001808. You will need an FSA ID to electronically sign your FASFA. If you do not have an FSA ID, you may create one at StudentAid.gov.

Once you are admitted to the program and we receive your FAFSA, you can see the financial aid you qualify for and accept or decline your Direct Student Loan on your myUSI. For more information about tuition reimbursement or financial resources that may be available to you, visit our Student Financial Assistance page, access our Financial Aid FAQs, or contact us.

Student Financial Assistance Office

Local Phone: 812-464-1767

Toll Free Phone: 800-467-1965
Fax: 812-461-5305

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (CDT)

Tuition Breakdown:

$465* Per Credit Hour
$20,925* Total Tuition

Calendar

Start planning with these important dates

Now is the time to start earning your Master of Public Administration and Criminal Justice Dual Degree online and take the fast track to a more successful career. USI provides you with the convenience of an accelerated application-to-start calendar.

View full calendar +

SessionCourse StartApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration Deadline
Spring II3/15/272/26/273/5/273/12/27

View billing and payment schedule +

Billing and Payment Schedule - Please visit https://www.usi.edu/bursar/bill-and-payment-schedule/

Now Enrolling:

2/26/27 Next Application Deadline
3/15/27 Start Classes

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Request Info

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from USI?

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Admissions

View the requirements for your online dual master’s degree program

The University of Southern Indiana's online MA in Criminal Justice and MPA Dual Degree program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

  • Bachelor's Degree From an accredited institution
  • GPA minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
View full admission requirements

Applicants seeking to be admitted to the MA in Criminal Justice and MPA Dual Degree program generally hold a bachelor’s degree (any major is acceptable) with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA may be admitted on a conditional basis upon review by the admissions committee. In some instances, students with less than a 3.0 GPA may be asked to provide additional information as part of their application.

Application Procedures:

  • Submit an online application and $40 application fee.
  • Submit a curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Complete a 200-500 word personal statement of professional interest or goals.
  • Include the name and contact number of a professional reference (provided on application form)
  • Submit transcripts to Graduate Studies.
    • Official transcripts are required only from the institution at which your highest degree was earned. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to [email protected]
    • Unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended can be submitted via email by the applicant to [email protected]
    • Applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed.
    • Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address:

Graduate Studies
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712


Courses

Explore the courses for your online master’s dual degree program

To graduate with your dual MA in Criminal Justice and MPA online degree, you must take 12 core courses and three electives to complete 45 credit hours.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses crime and criminal justice policy, with emphasis on the examination of specific criminal justice policies, the forces that impact criminal justice policies, and the impact of criminal justice practices. The development, implementation, and analysis of public policy in the field of criminal justice are explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this class is to provide students with a conceptual and theoretical overview of criminal justice organizations and administration. The course emphasizes the importance of viewing the criminal justice system as both a fragmented and monolithic system which has some similar and some conflicting goals. Moreover, it focuses on organizational structure, communication, development, innovation, leadership, and conflict.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a survey of historical and contemporary theoretical explanations for crime and deviance.   The major focus of the course will be the evaluation of criminological theory in general and the use of such theories in criminal justice policies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course attempts to examine how the behaviors of individuals, groups, and organizations influence the operation of government agencies and nonprofit organizations. In this class, we will draw on case studies of organizational behavior and organizational theory to develop our thinking about how to shape, guide, direct, and control public and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine public and nonprofit personnel issues, specifically issues related to personnel/human resource management, employee motivation, evaluation, promotion/demotion, training, benefits, wages and salaries, as well as disciplinary policies and various legal aspects relating to public sector and nonprofit employment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course attempts to examine how the behaviors of individuals, groups, and organizations influence the operation of government agencies and nonprofit organizations. In this class, we will draw on case studies of organizational behavior and organizational theory to develop our thinking about how to shape, guide, direct, and control public and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the basic issues, tensions, concepts and theories surrounding the field of public administration. Students will be exposed to the literature of public administration from the classical to the modern period. This course will examine the constitutional foundations and evolution of public administration, the internal operations of public administration, including decision-making, budgeting, and human resources management, and the ongoing challenges facing public and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of policies and processes in the public sector, with an emphasis on the analytical and policy process fields of policy analysis, including an overview of decision making strategies, policy creation and program evaluation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is intended to introduce students to the topic of program evaluation, an essential aspect of most publicly and privately funded programs today. Students will examine how the demand for accountability stresses the need for measuring program effectiveness to achieve stated goals and objectives. This course examines methods and practices to assess and evaluate programs. This course fulfills an objective of the Master of Public Administration program by teaching students practical skills necessary for the management of public and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
As the final course for the MA, students will draw from the knowledge they have gained to write and present a professional quality academic paper.

Students will select one course from the list below: 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this class is to get students acquainted with the process of social research. The study of research methods is about understanding the art and the science of designing and executing research. It is about blending logic, common sense, creativity, and the scientific method to learn about contemporary issues related to crime, policy, and society.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods relevant to the field of public administration.  Students will be introduced to the real world of research methods with assignments which reflect the challenges of doing research. Students will learn how to develop a research design, collect a sample, write a literature review and construct

Students will select one course from the list below: 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Building on CRIM 603 Research Methods this course focuses upon performing data analyses using computer software programs. Widely used statistical procedures within the social sciences will be studied with an emphasis on descriptive and inferential statistical methods and theory.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to statistical methods used within public administration. Students will learn to develop and present descriptive statistics, bi-variate data analyis and regression. The focus of the class is on the application of statistics to address policy and management questions.

Students will select 6 credits (two courses) from the 600-level Criminal Justice courses below: 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During the functioning of the criminal justice system a variety of ethical issues arise. This course focuses on theories of ethics and morality and applying them within the field of criminal justice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an examination of the development of criminal and procedural law as a system of social control. More specifically, the course will evaluate the procedures employed by the criminal justice system and how they are related to the administration of criminal justice and the law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course involves the study of important issues in the field of corrections with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics. Current rotation includes, "Prisons in America," and "Treatment Programming."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course involves the study of important issues in the field of policing with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics. Topics currently include "Policing Strategies" and "Crime Analysis and Prevention."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores an issue within criminal justice that is not focused on in other courses.  It emphasizes critical thinking and discussion. The special topic will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. This course is repeatable with different topics. Current topics include "Domestic Terrorism," "Media and Crime," "Mental Health and Law," and "Genocide in the CJ System."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course critically examines various issues pertaining to the processing and sentencing of accused offenders within various court environments.  Using legal cases and empirical research, this course explores the societal and political influences on criminal courts.  The topic of the course will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. Current topics include "The Legal System," "Specialty Courts," and "The Constitution and CJ."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This internship must result in some project, report, or materials related to the work done during the internship. **Maximum of 6 credit hours total

Students will select 3 credits (one course) from the Criminal Justice and Public Administration courses below: 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students will work towards completing their certified nonprofit professional requirements. The Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) is a nationally recognized credential administered by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. The CNP requires the ability to understand and apply the principles of nonprofit management including those related to human, strategic and financial resources.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study and analysis of the major issues, problems, and political processes of urban America, along with topics on urban governance, such as government organization and rescaling.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to cross-national policy research and to the fascinating and challenging issues of comparative research. Students will learn about theories and processes of policy making in a wide range of fields such as immigration, budgeting taxes, health care, welfare, education and environment. The course focuses on critical analysis and constructive alternatives of public policies in the cultural, economic, political and institutional contexts of the United States and selected other countries.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of environmental politics and policies as related to international, national, state, and local issues. Primary focus on how environmental politics are created, implemented, and enforced. Topics include air and water pollution, sustainable development and land use issues, and other contemporary environmental problems.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory examination of the theories and strategies used to manage organizations in the nonprofit sector.  Topics include governing and leading nonprofit organizations, strategic planning, capacity building, marketing, developing financial resources, and financial management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of leadership concepts, theories, strategies, and practices relevant to the management of public and non-profit organizations.  Students will identify the various traits that characterize an exceptional leader, diagnose their personal leadership style, and apply these skills to real world situations in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to examine legal and Constitutional issues relating to public administration. Many topics will be addressed in depth, including but not limited to public sector affirmative action, implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, whistle-blowing protections, due process protections, public employee privacy and free speech in the workplace, primarily through examining seminal federal court rulings. More generally, this course will look at legal aspects and legal challenges to agency, regulations, policy implementation, and laws pertaining to the public sector.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An analysis of fundraising strategies and the management of volunteers in government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the ethical problems, dilemmas, and conflicts encountered by government officials, nonprofit administrators, and other public sector administrators. Students in this course will contemplate a variety of topics including values and ethics, situational ethics, and individual and organizational ethics which will guide them in developing their own ethical decision making framework.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide graduate students with a foundation in strategic planning in the public and nonprofit sectors. Students learn how to apply strategic planning concepts and tools to public and nonprofit organizations to achieve goals and objectives in meeting service delivery objectives. The course focuses on analyzing the interaction of trends, market forces, and stakeholders in developing visions and strategies for public and nonprofit organizations. An important focus of this course will center on an environmental scanning process that analyzes the trends in the external environment and an assessment of an organization’s distinctive competitive strengths. Students will gain experience in assessing the quality of strategic planning through case studies, and will formulate and develop a strategic plan for a local organization. This course will require students to work collaboratively in teams on their strategic planning projects.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The focus of this course is on the actions and styles of leaders in the nonprofit sector as they attempt to influence individual and group behavior. When operating in a not-for-profit environment, leaders must be able to manage a diverse range of stakeholders and exercise leadership both within and outside of organizations. A major goal of the course is a deeper appreciation of these dynamics. Specifically, students will develop an understanding of nonprofit leadership while developing strategies for improved leadership performance.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An analysis of fundraising strategies and the management of volunteers in government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
During the functioning of the criminal justice system a variety of ethical issues arise. This course focuses on theories of ethics and morality and applying them within the field of criminal justice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an examination of the development of criminal and procedural law as a system of social control. More specifically, the course will evaluate the procedures employed by the criminal justice system and how they are related to the administration of criminal justice and the law.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course involves the study of important issues in the field of corrections with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics. Current rotation includes, "Prisons in America," and "Treatment Programming."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course involves the study of important issues in the field of policing with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics. Topics currently include "Policing Strategies" and "Crime Analysis and Prevention."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course critically examines various issues pertaining to the processing and sentencing of accused offenders within various court environments.  Using legal cases and empirical research, this course explores the societal and political influences on criminal courts.  The topic of the course will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. Current topics include "The Legal System," "Specialty Courts," and "The Constitution and CJ."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores an issue within criminal justice that is not focused on in other courses.  It emphasizes critical thinking and discussion. The special topic will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. This course is repeatable with different topics. Current topics include "Domestic Terrorism," "Media and Crime," "Mental Health and Law," and "Genocide in the CJ System."
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This internship must result in some project, report, or materials related to the work done during the internship. **Maximum of 6 credit hours total

"When I was in the MBA program, we actually looked into the logic and the qualitative aspects of, 'Okay, here's the math, but does this decision actually make sense?' As a business, there are always other factors, so that was really good for me."

– Stevie Lynch

"I was able to balance my personal life and my career as well as all of my coursework."

– Sarah Matthews, MBA online graduate

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