Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in North Dakota
Updated September 29, 2026
NDSU currently offers North Dakota’s confirmed on-campus and online M.S. in Criminal Justice: 30 credits, with thesis, master’s-paper, or culminating-experience tracks. In-state tuition runs about $473 per credit before fees, current for 2026-27. Federal education data also lists Minot State, but Minot’s current catalog doesn’t include the program, so confirm before you apply.
Maybe you’re already working in the field, patrolling a beat, supervising a unit, or keeping order in a courtroom, and you’re ready for the next step. Or maybe your background is elsewhere, and you’re curious about how it applies to criminal justice. Either way, a master’s degree built in North Dakota is a realistic path forward, not just a credential to collect.
What Can I Do With a Master’s in Criminal Justice in North Dakota?
A Master of Science in Criminal Justice is worth considering if you’re aiming at research, policy, or a role that specifically calls for a graduate degree, not as a guaranteed shortcut to promotion. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma plus relevant experience as the typical path into first-line supervisor roles in policing and corrections, with promotions based on exams and job performance, and a bachelor’s degree sometimes required for higher ranks. A master’s can still matter for particular employers, for research and policy work, or for academia, but it isn’t the standard promotion requirement.
North Dakota’s criminal justice system has real, current problems you’d be equipped to work on. The state has implemented a statewide sexual-assault evidence kit tracking system since a 2021 legislative audit found roughly 500 backlogged kits, and the Attorney General now publishes regular reports on kit status. Jail capacity is still a live issue too. In 2025 testimony, the Walsh County sheriff described his jail as frequently short on room, and said most other county jails were running at capacity as well.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 OEWS survey puts the median annual wage for protective service occupations in North Dakota, the broad category covering police supervisors, correctional officers, and detectives, at $58,350.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS salary data for North Dakota’s Protective Service Occupations category (SOC 33-0000). For details on individual roles within it, see Police and Detectives, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs, and Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.
What Will It Take to Earn Your Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in North Dakota?
North Dakota is a fairly remote, rural state, so you may need to commute to a metro area for an in-person program or consider an online option instead.
NDSU’s M.S. in Criminal Justice requires 30 credits. How long that takes depends on your course load and which track you’re on.
Current foundation coursework includes Program Evaluation, Advanced Criminology, Criminal Justice Policy, and Advanced Criminal Justice Methods, plus Applied Statistics, except on Plan C. Electives vary by track.
For 2026-27, NDSU lists the base graduate tuition for North Dakota residents and WRGP students at $473.44 per credit, excluding mandatory student fees.
To finish the degree, you’ll choose one of three tracks. Plan A is a master’s thesis, Plan B is a master’s paper, and Plan C is a culminating experience or individual study. Plan A fits if research is where you’re headed. Plan B and Plan C suit students building toward program or policy work instead.
Where to Study: Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in North Dakota
Per U.S. Department of Education data, two North Dakota institutions report a Master’s-level program in a criminal-justice-family field. North Dakota State University-Main Campus is the confirmed current provider of the M.S. in Criminal Justice described above. Minot State University also appears in federal education data with this credential. Still, Minot’s current graduate catalog does not list an M.S. in Criminal Justice among its offerings, so that listing may be out of date. Confirm directly with Minot before counting on it.
| School | Program | Credential |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Criminal Justice and Corrections | Master’s |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Homeland Security | Master’s |
| Minot State University | Criminal Justice and Corrections | Master’s (federal data only — see note above) |
Confirm current enrollment, format, and admission requirements directly with each school before you apply. Programs change faster than any database can track.
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does NDSU’s M.S. in Criminal Justice take?
The program requires 30 credits. Completion time depends on your course load and which of the three degree tracks, thesis, master’s paper, or culminating experience, you choose.
What can I do with a master’s in criminal justice in North Dakota?
It’s most useful for research, policy, academic-adjacent, or specialized roles. BLS data show that most supervisory promotions in policing and corrections are based on experience and exams rather than a graduate degree, though some employers and higher ranks do value one.
How much does NDSU’s Criminal Justice M.S. cost?
For 2026-27, base tuition for North Dakota residents and WRGP students runs about $473.44 per credit, not including mandatory fees. At 30 credits, budget accordingly and check current fee schedules directly with NDSU.
Do I need to write a thesis to graduate?
Not necessarily. NDSU offers three tracks: Plan A (thesis), Plan B (master’s paper), and Plan C (culminating experience or individual study).
Which North Dakota schools offer this program?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is the confirmed current provider. Minot State University appears in federal education data with the same credential, but its current catalog doesn’t list the program, so confirm directly before counting on it.
Key Takeaways
- NDSU is the confirmed current provider – a 30-credit M.S. in Criminal Justice with thesis, master’s-paper, or culminating-experience tracks
- Budget about $473.44 per credit – NDSU’s 2026-27 base graduate tuition for North Dakota residents and WRGP students, before fees
- The median salary for ND protective service occupations is $58,350, per BLS OEWS, May 2025, though a master’s degree isn’t typically required for supervisory promotion.
- North Dakota’s kit-tracking system is now statewide – implemented after a 2021 audit found a backlog, with jail-capacity pressure still a live issue per 2025 testimony.
- Minot State appears in federal data but not in its current catalog – confirm directly before counting on it.
Worried about paying for the degree? The scholarships guide lists awards built for criminal justice majors, with eligibility, amounts, and deadlines.
Read: Scholarships for Criminal Justice Majors and Grad Students
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Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.