Earning a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice online at the University of Southern Indiana enabled Danny Beckman to
advance professionally within the field he loves. He began the online criminal justice degree program while working full time as a probation officer. Today, he is a manager in the loss prevention department at Amazon, where he uses his law enforcement skills as well as the leadership, research and analysis competencies he gained through his master’s program at USI.
“I definitely enjoyed [the probation officer job], but the salary just wasn’t there. Not too many opportunities to promote within a probation department,” said Danny. “There’s unlimited potential here [at Amazon]. The master’s degree helped me, and I think it’ll continue to help me move up through the ranks here.”
He chose University of Southern Indiana because of the program’s accelerated pace and relevant curriculum. “The course outlines drew my attention as something I would be interested in or something that I’d want to further my skills in,” Danny explained. He began in August 2021 and completed his MA in Criminal Justice in August 2022.
Danny received a job promotion from Amazon just 18 months after joining the company, resulting in a pay raise to a six-figure salary and transfer to Nashville, TN, which has improved his quality of life. “The master’s degree helped my previous manager pitch me up the chain and gave me that promotion pretty quickly,” he said.
Danny appreciated the support of his instructors and the many opportunities to interact with his fellow students. “There were a ton of different discussion boards. It was really good to be able to get that input from everybody. And then we had a lot of online video discussions,” Danny said. “The online aspect throws you to the forefront and makes you participate and interact with everybody.”
Lectures uploaded in a video format allowed Danny to rewind and listen again to specific topics, while group projects helped prepare him for leadership roles at Amazon. “Being able to help manage those groups [at USI] set me up for the leadership role that I’m in now where I manage people. I wouldn’t have been as well prepared had I not gone through this program. Not just in leadership skills, but analytics skills, timekeeping skills. It made me well-prepared for a managerial role.”
Key Benefits of Earning an MA in Criminal Justice Online
If your goal is to advance professionally, earning an MA in Criminal Justice online at USI can benefit you in many ways.
Designed for Working Professionals – All courses are 100 percent online, so you can set your own study schedule without interrupting your career.
Affordable, Accelerated Program – Courses are seven weeks long, with budget-friendly tuition paid by the course. Earn your master’s in as few as 12 months.
Standout Credentials on Your Resume – Having a master’s degree in criminal justice can be a key differentiator in a competitive job market. It shows prospective employers you’re committed to the field and have taken extra steps to deepen your qualifications.
Expanded Knowledge Base – Graduate-level courses in criminal justice policies, administration, social research, data analysis and contemporary criminology theories prepare you for a wide variety of roles, such as private detective, intelligence analyst, probation officer, law enforcement information systems specialist and more.
Leadership and Managerial Competencies – Strengthening skills in critical thinking, data-based decision making and communication can help position you to lead teams and departments.
Learn more about the online University of Southern Indiana MA in Criminal Justice program.
Take Your Career to the Next Level With a Graduate Degree from USI
In addition to the MA in Criminal Justice, University of Southern Indiana offers a variety of online programs aligned with high-growth fields. Check out our online graduate degrees and certificates in business, education, public administration and criminal justice and choose the option that fits your goals.
