Master in Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (Master's)

At Illinois State University, tuition is See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees..

This programme prepares students for leadership roles in law enforcement, courts, policy analysis, and advocacy. It emphasizes critical analysis of policing, courts, corrections, and the social systems that influence them. Students engage in small, interdisciplinary cohorts with peers from law enforcement, social services, and public policy. The curriculum connects classroom theory directly to real-world criminal justice practice.

Focus areas include Policing, Courts, Corrections, Policy Analysis, Social Systems, Research Methods.

The programme requires 32 credits, distributed across core coursework, research methods, and a thesis or capstone project. Students complete a goal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation as part of the degree requirements.

Graduates advance in criminal justice agencies, lead in nonprofit and policy organizations, and pursue doctoral or law degrees.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours or in prior graduate work. A goal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation are required. International applicants must submit English proficiency scores unless waived.

The programme totals about 32 credit hours. On-campus, full-time or part-time, with typical duration of two years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 89% of applicants.

Illinois State University (ISU), founded in 1857 and located in Normal, is a comprehensive public university with a long tradition of teacher education and broad academic offerings across 252 programs. Serving roughly 20,878 students, including an international cohort of about 1,000, ISU combines strong undergraduate teaching with expanded graduate and professional programs in education, business, health sciences, arts and applied disciplines.

ISU emphasizes career-ready learning, small class sizes and strong faculty mentorship. Programs integrate experiential learning through internships, community partnerships and applied research, helping students build professional portfolios and practical experience. The university’s commitment to student success is reflected in advising services, career centers and active employer engagement that support transitions into regional and national job markets.

Campus life in Normal offers a welcoming college-town atmosphere with cultural events, clubs and practical support for international students, from orientation to career counseling. ISU’s location in central Illinois combines affordable living with access to metropolitan centers for internships and networking. For international applicants seeking a supportive, student-centered campus with a balance of academic breadth and applied opportunities, Illinois State provides a stable, professionally oriented environment to develop skills and begin a global career.