Criminal Justice Student attending online class from home

First-of-its-kind program

Our criminal justice master’s program is the first graduate program of its kind in the country focused on the shifting direction from corrections toward community corrections.

  • Online and asynchronous: You will not be required to be in a class at the same time every week. You will watch lectures, contribute to online discussions and complete other assignments on your own schedule, while following course deadlines.
  • More affordable: Our tuition is competitive with even public universities, plus employees of our strategic partners, such as Albany County Department of Probation, receive a 10% tuition discount. Ask about our employer partnerships to see if your agency/organization can also qualify.
  • But still personal: Students who begin the program together take the same courses at the same time, and get to know others in their cohort.
  • An opportunity for learning residency:  Online and in-person learning residencies at the beginning of every academic year are a great opportunity to meet classmates and faculty.

Course Requirements

Credits and Completion

This 36-credit master’s degree includes courses in institutional corrections and offender rehabilitation, offender reentry and reintegration, community corrections, restorative justice, abnormal psychology, substance abuse vulnerabilities, dynamics, and problems, forensic mental health, and more. Students design a culminating project with a faculty member or complete an externship in consultation with their academic advisor.

View Program Catalog

Master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections CurriculumCredits
Crime, Law and Courts
Crime and Criminal Behavior
Intro to U.S. Law for Forensic Mental Health
Intro to Forensic Mental Health		3
3
3
Institutional Corrections
Institutional Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation
Alcoholism/Drug Addiction: Vulnerabilities, Dynamics, Problems
Abnormal Psychology		3
3
3
Community Corrections
Reentry and Reintegration of Offenders
Community-Based Corrections
Restorative Justice in the Community		3
3
3
Program Support
Program Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice
Culminating Project or Externship		3
3
Elective3
TOTAL CREDITS36

Graduate and Undergraduate Equivalent Credit

Students who have earned prior graduate credit may request a transfer of up to six credits that meet the equivalency for courses in the master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections. Students who have received undergraduate credit for courses that are equivalent in content to the required graduate courses may request a waiver up to six graduate credits. Graduate courses that are waived through undergraduate credits must be replaced with electives bearing graduate credit.

Transfer credit and waivers must be approved by the program director.

Upcoming Graduate Visit Events

Learn about the exciting opportunities Russell Sage College has to offer with a campus visit, open house, or virtual program informations session.

Explore Events

“From restorative justice to best practices in handling alcohol and drug addiction in correctional institutions and community corrections, this degree is on trend with what is happening now in my field.”

Delta Barometre

Superintendent, Otisville Correctional Facility, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Easily Apply

We offer rolling admission, so apply anytime, and you can start when you are ready — fall or spring semesters.

Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree. (It is preferred, though not required, that the degree be in criminal justice or a related area like sociology, psychology, or social work).

Application Requirements

  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A one- to two-page essay on reasons for applying to the program
  • A current resume
  • An RSC graduate school application
Apply Now
Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our Criminal Justice master’s comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Carol DiMambro
Carol J
DiMambro

Associate Professor and Program Director of Criminal Justice and Community Corrections

Learn more about Carol
Equal Justice Under Law

Your Future Career with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections

Whether you’re beginning your career, pursuing advancement or changing fields, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections will increase your marketability.

You will be uniquely qualified for employment opportunities within government, for-profit and not-for-profit and human service organizations that provide community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Community-based alternatives include community supervision (parole and probation), reentry and reintegration services, pre-trial options, specialized courts, mental health and drug/alcohol-related services, and other alternatives to incarceration within the community.

Spotlights Pattern

M.S. in Criminal Justice Alumni Spotlights

Meet faculty and students in the Criminal Justice & Community Corrections master’s program.

Faculty

“Community corrections will see significant growth in coming years and professionals with an advanced degree focused on community corrections will be in a favorable position to earn leadership positions.”

– Jeffrey Golden, M.S., J.D.
Faculty
Carol J DiMambro

Carol DiMambro is an associate professor of Criminal & Restorative Justice. She is program director of Sage’s master’s program in …

Read More
Faculty

“I am excited that Russell Sage College is offering the only graduate program in the nation that focuses on community corrections.”

– Carol J DiMambro
Need help?
Carol J DiMambro
Associate Professor and Program Director of Criminal Justice and Community Corrections
[email protected]
518-292-8629

Take the Next Step

It's time to take the next step. Choose yours below.
Request More Info
Apply
Visit
Financial Aid