An online master’s in Criminal Law is designed for professionals who work in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, probation, victim advocacy, court administration, public policy, investigations, compliance, or other law-adjacent roles connected to the justice system. These programs are generally intended for non-lawyers who want graduate-level legal training without earning a JD or preparing for the bar exam.
For this ranking, we prioritized online programs offered through law schools, programs with a clear criminal law, criminal justice, criminal law and policy, or justice system focus, and programs that can serve working professionals in law enforcement, courts, corrections, government, and related fields. Because criminal law is a narrower online legal studies concentration, some strong options use related labels such as criminal justice, criminal law and policy, or legal studies in criminal justice. The American Bar Association maintains a list of non-JD and post-JD programs offered by law schools, and its materials note that acquiescence in a non-JD degree program is not the same as ABA approval of the degree itself.
Top 10 Online Master’s Criminal Law
| Rank | School | Degree | Criminal Law Focus | State | Online Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law | MLS | Criminal Law emphasis focused on criminal procedure, evidence, sentencing reform, law enforcement, public safety, and individual rights | Arizona | Online |
| 2 | UCLA School of Law | MLS | Criminal Law specialization for professionals working in criminal justice at local, state, and federal courts or agencies | California | Available online, hybrid, and on campus |
| 3 | University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law | MLS | Criminal Law and Policy concentration for professionals whose careers require knowledge of criminal law, policy, law enforcement, advocacy, or the justice system | Arizona | Online |
| 4 | SMU Dedman School of Law | MLS | Criminal Justice concentration focused on practical legal knowledge for law enforcement, probation, victim advocacy, courts, and criminal justice professionals | Texas | Online |
| 5 | Regent University School of Law | MA | Criminal Law and the Justice System concentration focused on criminal law, law enforcement limitations, immigration law, legal research, and legal communication | Virginia | Online |
| 6 | Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law | MLS | Criminal Law concentration covering criminal law, criminal procedure, investigations, corrections law, compliance, legal research, and risk management | Pennsylvania | Online |
| 7 | St. Mary’s University School of Law | MLS | Criminal Justice concentration designed for professionals in criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections | Texas | Online |
| 8 | Trinity Law School | MLS | Criminal Justice track covering criminal procedure, corrections, victimology, restorative justice, and social issues in the justice system | California | Online |
| 9 | Liberty University | MS | Criminal Justice Legal Studies degree with coursework in constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure, and foundations of law | Virginia | Online |
| 10 | Grand Canyon University | MS | Criminal Justice with Legal Studies emphasis for government, public policy, justice administration, and law-related criminal justice professionals | Arizona | Online |
What Is an Online Master’s in Criminal Law?
An online master’s in Criminal Law is a graduate degree for professionals who need to understand criminal law, criminal procedure, law enforcement authority, constitutional rights, corrections, courts, policy, and the justice system but do not plan to become attorneys. Unlike a JD, an MLS, MSL, MJ, MA, or similar non-JD legal studies degree does not prepare graduates to sit for the bar exam or practice law. Instead, it helps students understand the legal frameworks that shape criminal investigations, prosecutions, sentencing, corrections, probation, victim advocacy, policing, and criminal justice policy.
Criminal law is a specialized area, so not every online legal studies program uses the exact phrase “criminal law.” Some programs use related labels such as criminal justice, criminal law and policy, criminal law and the justice system, or legal studies in criminal justice. For working professionals, these related pathways can still be valuable if they include coursework in criminal law, constitutional law, criminal procedure, evidence, corrections, law enforcement, policy, ethics, and legal research.
1. Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Arizona State University offers an online Master of Legal Studies with a Criminal Law emphasis. The program is designed to help students understand how and why the criminal justice system operates, with attention to law enforcement processes, individual rights, public safety, criminal procedure, evidence, and sentencing reform.
ASU is one of the strongest matches for students specifically searching for an online master’s in Criminal Law because it offers a dedicated criminal law emphasis through a major public law school. The program may be especially useful for law enforcement professionals, court personnel, victim advocates, probation professionals, policy professionals, and others who need a deeper understanding of criminal law without becoming attorneys.
2. UCLA School of Law
UCLA School of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies with a Criminal Law specialization. UCLA describes this specialization as designed for professionals working in criminal justice at local, state, and federal courts or agencies.
UCLA is a strong option for students who want a high-profile law school and a criminal law specialization that can support work in courts, government agencies, law enforcement, policy, corrections, and justice-related organizations. Its flexible format may appeal to students who want the option of online, hybrid, or on-campus study.
3. University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in Criminal Law and Policy. The concentration is designed for professionals and aspiring professionals whose careers benefit from knowledge of criminal law, including police officers, policy makers, probation officers, social workers, psychologists, and advocates for victims or the criminally accused.
Arizona is a strong fit for students who want criminal law training with a policy-oriented perspective. The program can be useful for professionals who want to understand how criminal law affects policing, courts, corrections, social services, advocacy, and public policy.
4. SMU Dedman School of Law
SMU Dedman School of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies with a Criminal Justice concentration. The program is designed for non-lawyer professionals who work within or alongside the legal system and want practical legal knowledge that can support criminal justice careers.
SMU is a strong option for students who want an online MLS from a law school with a criminal justice concentration. The concentration may be useful for federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, probation officers, victim advocates, paralegals, court clerks, legal assistants, and other professionals whose work intersects with criminal law and justice system operations.
5. Regent University School of Law
Regent University School of Law offers an online Master of Arts in Law with a concentration in Criminal Law and the Justice System. The program is designed for students who want to build legal knowledge related to criminal law, the justice system, law enforcement authority, immigration law, legal research, and communication about legal issues.
Regent is a strong option for students who want a law school-based program with an explicit criminal law and justice system concentration. It may be a good fit for professionals in law enforcement, public safety, corrections, homeland security, victim services, court administration, and related justice system roles.
6. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in Criminal Law. The concentration includes coursework in criminal law, criminal procedure, investigations, corrections law, compliance skills, ethics, legal research and analysis, risk assessment, and a capstone experience.
Drexel is a strong option for students who want an online MLS with a specific criminal law concentration and a practical legal studies core. The program may be especially useful for professionals who need to understand both the structure of the criminal justice system and the compliance, ethics, and risk management issues that arise in law-adjacent criminal justice roles.
7. St. Mary’s University School of Law
St. Mary’s University School of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies with a Criminal Justice concentration. The program is designed to help graduates address legal issues that confront criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections professionals.
St. Mary’s is a good fit for students who want a law school-based MLS with a criminal justice focus. The program can support professionals in policing, corrections, court administration, probation, parole, victim services, and other justice system roles where legal knowledge can improve judgment and communication.
8. Trinity Law School
Trinity Law School offers a Master of Legal Studies with a Criminal Justice track. The track explores the intersection of law and social impact, including race, ethnicity, and class in the justice system, victimology, restorative justice, corrections, and criminal procedure.
Trinity is a relevant option for students who want a criminal justice-focused MLS with attention to social impact and restorative justice. The program may be useful for non-lawyer professionals in advocacy, corrections, victim services, ministry-related justice work, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and community-based criminal justice roles.
9. Liberty University
Liberty University offers an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Legal Studies specialization. The program includes legal studies coursework in constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure, and foundations of law, along with criminal justice courses in administration, leadership, ethics, and policing.
Liberty is a related option rather than a traditional MLS from a law school, but it may be useful for students who want a criminal justice master’s degree with a legal studies emphasis. It can be especially relevant for professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of criminal law and procedure while remaining focused on criminal justice administration and leadership.
10. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Legal Studies. The program is designed for professionals in government positions, public policy, and justice administration, as well as students who want legal studies training connected to criminal justice.
GCU is a related option for students who want a criminal justice master’s degree with legal studies coursework rather than an MLS. It may be useful for professionals in public safety, justice administration, policy, courts, corrections, and government roles who want legal knowledge but do not intend to become attorneys.
Who Should Consider an Online Master’s in Criminal Law?
An online master’s in Criminal Law may be useful for professionals who regularly work with criminal statutes, constitutional rules, investigations, court procedures, corrections policies, victim services, public safety, or justice system decision-making but do not want to become lawyers. Common student profiles include law enforcement officers, probation officers, corrections professionals, court administrators, victim advocates, policy analysts, social workers, public safety professionals, paralegals, legal assistants, investigators, and government employees.
The degree can also be valuable for professionals who work closely with attorneys, courts, agencies, or criminal justice organizations. In criminal justice settings, non-lawyers often need to understand legal boundaries, constitutional rights, agency policies, court procedures, and the consequences of legal decisions. A criminal law-focused master’s degree can help those professionals communicate more effectively and make better-informed decisions.
Common Courses in Criminal Law Master’s Programs
- Introduction to U.S. law and legal systems
- Criminal law
- Criminal procedure
- Constitutional law
- Evidence
- Corrections law
- Sentencing and sentencing reform
- Law enforcement authority and limitations
- Victimology
- Restorative justice
- Legal research and writing for non-lawyers
- Ethics and professional responsibility
MLS vs JD vs LLM
An MLS is a graduate-level legal studies degree for professionals who want to understand the law but do not plan to become attorneys. In criminal law, an MLS can be useful for people who work in law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, victim advocacy, public safety, policy, social services, investigations, or justice system administration. Some schools use related degree names, such as MSL, MJ, MA, or MSLS, but these programs are generally designed for non-lawyers who want practical legal knowledge they can apply in their current field.
A JD is the professional law degree for students who want to become lawyers. JD students study core legal subjects, complete a broader law school curriculum, and typically use the degree to meet educational requirements for bar eligibility. For someone who wants to represent clients, give legal advice as an attorney, serve as a prosecutor, work as a criminal defense attorney, or practice criminal law, the JD is the traditional path.
An LLM is usually a post-JD law degree for attorneys who already have a law degree and want advanced training in a specific area of law. In criminal law, an LLM may help lawyers deepen their expertise in criminal procedure, constitutional law, sentencing, white collar crime, international criminal law, or human rights. It is generally not designed as the first legal degree for non-lawyers.
For criminal justice professionals, the right choice depends on the career goal. An MLS or similar non-JD master’s degree is usually the better fit for non-lawyers who want legal knowledge for law enforcement, corrections, courts, policy, advocacy, investigations, public safety, or justice administration roles. A JD is the better fit for students who want to become attorneys. An LLM is usually best for lawyers who already have a JD or another first law degree and want advanced specialization.
How to Choose the Right Online Criminal Law Program
Students should start by comparing the curriculum, not just the degree title. The strongest criminal law programs should include coursework in criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional rights, evidence, corrections, sentencing, legal research, ethics, law enforcement authority, and justice system policy. Students should also pay attention to whether the program is focused more on legal studies, criminal justice administration, public policy, advocacy, or law enforcement leadership.
Students should also consider whether the program is fully online, whether it offers asynchronous coursework, whether it includes live classes, whether it can be completed part time, and whether it is designed for working professionals. Criminal justice professionals may also want to compare total credits, tuition, admissions requirements, employer tuition assistance policies, and whether the curriculum is practical enough for their current or target role.
Career Paths for Graduates
An online master’s in Criminal Law can support a range of criminal justice, public safety, policy, advocacy, and court-related careers. It does not make graduates attorneys, but it can strengthen legal literacy for roles that require understanding of criminal procedure, constitutional rights, legal boundaries, public safety policy, and collaboration with legal counsel.
- Law enforcement officer or supervisor
- Probation officer
- Corrections professional
- Court administrator
- Victim advocate
- Public safety professional
- Criminal justice policy analyst
- Investigator
- Legal assistant or paralegal
- Government agency professional
- Restorative justice program coordinator
- Justice system nonprofit professional