Criminal justice online graduate degree program ranks in US News’ top 10 for 9th consecutive year

The online master’s degree program offered by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University continues for a ninth consecutive year as one of the nation’s top 10 such courses of study, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. The online Master of Arts degree program earned a No. 6 ranking for 2023 in a tie with Michigan State University and the University of New Haven.

ASU’s No. 6 ranking is higher than those of the University of Cincinnati, the University of Nebraska — Omaha and the University of Southern California.

In addition, the online master’s degree program rose to No. 4 from No. 5 in 2022 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice for Veterans category, ahead of the University of Nebraska — Omaha, Boston University and the University of Southern California.

Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions Dean and President’s Professor Cynthia Lietz said the school’s continued top-level rankings confirm its history of offering high-quality programs online.

“These recent rankings, focused specifically on the master’s degree in criminal justice, speak to the quality of this online program that is accessible to students far beyond Arizona,” Lietz said. “To know that the program is of particular benefit to veterans speaks to our shared commitment to public service. Congratulations to our faculty, staff and students, whose work is being recognized in this way.”

MORE: US News ranks ASU among best in nation for online programs

Watts Endowed Professor for Public Safety Beth Huebner, director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said the school has taken great care to ensure that its online graduate programs meet the needs of the ever-changing workforce.

“We continue to innovate and enhance our course offerings to meet the needs of current and emerging leaders in the criminal justice field,” Huebner said. “We are particularly honored by our recognition as a leader in the higher-education space for veterans, and we hope to continue to support this group of people who are dedicated to public service.”

Most of the online graduate program’s more than 200 currently enrolled students are criminal justice professionals who seek an advanced degree to improve their career potential.