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

At Simpson College, tuition is Tuition for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice is $525 per credit hour for Iowa residents and $625 per credit hour for non-residents..

Graduates are qualified to work in leadership roles within criminal and juvenile justice systems. The programme focuses on understanding justice processes, criminal behavior, and administrative challenges in law enforcement, adjudication, and corrections. Students engage with criminological theory and data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making. Ethical practice and social justice are central to course content and professional development.

Focus areas include Criminal justice theory, Criminal behavior, Law enforcement operations, Adjudication process, Correctional system, Ethical decision-making.

The programme requires 36 credits, distributed across core coursework, research methods, and a capstone project. Students complete a practicum or applied research component as part of the degree requirements.

Graduates pursue careers in law enforcement administration, juvenile justice, corrections management, and policy analysis within public safety organizations.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Required documents include official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. The GRE is not required.

The programme totals about 36 credit hours. On-campus, full-time or part-time, typically completed in two years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 89% of applicants.

Simpson College’s liberal arts tradition provides the foundation for a broad academic offering across on-campus, online and graduate study. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 80 majors, minors, concentrations and pre-professional programs. Academic areas include business and economics, chemistry and physics, life sciences, mathematics and computer science, media and communication, music, theatre arts, teacher education, and political science, sociology and criminal justice. Honors students add interdisciplinary courses and research fellowships, while the Center for Exploratory Studies helps undecided students find an academic direction.

Learning combines theory with practical application through research, study abroad, internships and other immersive experiences. A 13:1 student-teacher ratio supports personalized attention, while faculty and staff assist students with classroom work and career planning. The 85-acre campus sits in the heart of Indianola, a central Iowa city with housing, dining, clubs, performing and creative arts, 22 varsity sports, intramural activities, parks and trails. Des Moines is about 20 minutes away, giving students access to Iowa’s capital city while retaining a residential campus setting.

International students can engage with Simpson’s Office of International Education and Study Abroad through May Term travel courses and semester programs. Simpson offers access to more than 60 ISEP programs in dozens of countries, plus faculty-led courses in locations including Brazil, Italy, Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Study-abroad scholarships include more than 40 Walt Scholarships annually. Horizons supports program applications, passport and health information, and scholarship submissions. Provider deadlines vary, so early planning matters.