Criminal Justice Degree Checklist

Going back to school can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’ve been out of academia and in the work force for several years. However, with some careful planning you can effectively navigate both through the admissions process and through the criminal justice degree program itself.

1. Decide if pursuing a master’s degree is the right choice for you.
While acquiring a master’s degree can be quite beneficial for your career prospects, it is also a costly and time-consuming process. You’ll want to consider your professional goals carefully before deciding to return to school. Talk to your colleagues with graduate degrees about what the experience was like for them and get their own take on the cost/benefit analysis. If you are pursuing a criminal justice master’s degree mainly to try and advance in your own workplace, talk to your supervisor about whether or not a graduate degree would play an important role in promotion decisions.

2. Research schools and their admission requirements carefully.
There is great divergence between the admission requirements for various online Master of Criminal Justice programs. Some programs require the GRE, others don’t. Some want you to have had specific undergraduate education; others simply require you to have any type of bachelor’s degree. Nearly all schools will require letters of recommendation and undergraduate transcripts, so make certain to secure these well in advance of the application deadlines. If you are applying for financial aid, make certain to fill out the FAFSA.

3. Figure out logistical and financial considerations as soon as possible.
If you are planning to work at the same time that you are completing your degree, you’ll need to plan in advance how you are going to manage your time effectively. Remind family and friends that you are a student now and thus you’ll need some time alone on a regular basis to work on your studies. Try to establish a fixed routine where you devote the same periods of time each week to school work, treating your studies almost like you’d treat a second job. You’ll also want to get financial concerns handled sooner, not later. If you are taking out loans, calculate your long-term debt and start developing a repayment plan before the bills start coming due.

With a little preparation, you can be on the right path towards fulfilling your long-term personal and career goals.