Liberty University Reviews of Master's in Criminal Justice

"As with any endeavor in life, the more you invest, the more significant benefit of the outcome. I completed the online MSCJ program in one year due to the construction of the program. Semesters are divided into 8-week segments, allowing intense work on a specific subject. Books are insanely expensive (as usual), but I recommend you get the electronic versions. The quizzes are an open book, and you can query the online version to find specific subjects or keywords to complete the quizzes. Always do the reading on the subject for the week; it makes the narrative quiz questions much easier to answer. Most of the graduate-level work is research and writing of the subject matter. You are expected to complete your work with a biblical perspective on the subject. Equally, students are expected to form an idea of their own regarding the week's reading. This is not an easy program, and many online students dropped out because they didn't manage their time well. You should afford 10-12 hours for each paper (usually at least 1 per week, sometimes 2). You must also interact with other students on the discussion boards with researched answers. Do not do the undergraduate norm of cramming and regurgitating what you read. You should come up with your own well-researched ideas. By the end of the program, you will know more about the subject matters than you ever expected. The MSCJ is great for aspiring criminal justice leaders of tomorrow."

"Should have read these reviews first, but I didn't. I thought LU was a solid Christian college despite their moral leadership problems. Their admissions team is very nice and will constantly encourage you to sign up for more classes, which is the only 2 star review I gave. My first classes online I struggled a bit to figure out the system, but worked it out and made my own degree plan. The teachers are "experienced working professionals" who didn't seem too engaged with the class beyond canned messages and copy-pasted comments on all assignments. I had a teacher grade me negatively on an opinion assignment and when I explained why I had chosen that option, his words were, "I'm struck by your failure". Okay, maybe that was that class and that teacher...but no. I made it to 18/36 hours and noticed a problematic trend in the online classes. The working teachers are only men, already working and have no time (or desire?) to read their own assignments or make any effort to give feedback on content of assignments or the classes. The class content is all rolled over from previous teachers and classes. The teachers ONLY rely on Turnitin to assign grades (not content, effort, etc.). For online classes, the deadlines are Thursdays and Sundays, Fridays for end of semester. For me, I would turn things in before the deadlines for that reason, and what do you know, I was punished for following the instructions, turning it in before the deadline AND using my own researched and properly sourced work. This gets worse as you progress in your degree. I cannot imagine the students who choose the thesis route instead of electives. They rejected my application for first responder tuition discount three times despite proper documentation that I was a full time volunteer during covid. This "Christian" college does not believe in volunteer, clerical or chaplaincy as first response despite course content that says otherwise. Beware... When I tried to withdrawal, I was encouraged to fill out a student complaint for the student advocacy board. There is a character limit on the complaint form, I know because I used them all and submitted documentation of my concerns. Without any sort of reaching out to me or followup, they reviewed and closed my case. One of my complaints was addressed in a very defensive and CYA way "Federally, we didn't do anything wrong" and I will not get my financial aid back. The rest of my concerns were not even discussed. Wonderful advocacy, there. Once I started looking at reviews, I saw that this a very common and unfortunate theme for LU. I think they target military, first responders and law enforcement, and students hoping for a Biblical worldview. Don't fall for it...this was a very expensive benefit of the doubt experience for me. The moral leadership problems are still alive and kicking at LU and hypocrisy is their defining characteristic. 2 Timothy 3 says they have an appearance of godliness, but deny its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

"I read these reviews and find them interesting. Yes, this school is absolutely a Christian University. With that, you will be required to cite the Bible within assignments. Also, the school administration is fairly right wing and conservative. This sprinkles down to the entire school is right wing. As long as you know those two things first, and are okay with them, this is an amazing school. I love it here. I finished my Bachelors in 2018, about to graduate in May 2019 with my Masters and immediately start on my PhD. I have thought about transferring out to just get new scenery, but I continued to stay. The campus is amazing, everyone is friendly and helpful, overall, amazing. One issue is the academic advisors. Do your own research on the degree you are interested in. These advisors do not know every single degree program, what classes they require, what transfer credits are going to be applied, or even exactly what order courses need to be taken. Because of this, I recommend reaching out to the individual school (Helms school of government, for example) and asking for clarification for specific degree program questions. Again, I absolutely recommend it!"

"I am currently in law enforcement and Liberty offers a tuition discount for law enforcement, first responders and military. This discount helps those in public service in a small way better afford school. Liberty in my opinion truly cares about the students and their success and they strive to make going back to school a positive experience. The professors all care and project a real Christian worldview of their class and the school. The curriculum helps prepare the student for the future in their chosen profession and it is done with Christian principles. The school is always looking for ways to better the school and they are always growing and adding programs. If there is a way to help the student they will try and find it. There is always someone to talk to with any concerns you may have. They go all out for alumni and continue to stay engaged with them even after graduation through career websites, alumni groups and various programs for alumni. Homecoming is a huge event at the school, and the school spares no expense for that ."

"They are a very Christian school UNTIL it comes to money. I sincerely feel that Liberty University robbed me of over $3,500.00. Let me explain. I had entered the Master's Program and did complete financial check in, but before the semester started my father was injured bad and required around the clock care. I notified my instructors and attempted to withdrawl but LIBERTY's system was down. After a while I started getting collection calls from what sounded like Liberty on campus students. I attempted to explain the situation and that I had in fact withdrawn from the classes before the semester started. I was informed I could appeal. I appealed and got nothing. Finally I went into my account and saw where the appeal had been denied. Denied by who? No idea. It simply said "DENIED". So i have had to make $386.02 a month payments for a year with having nothing to show for it. I even told the people calling I would send my Father's medical records to prove I wasn't trying to take advantage of them. Nothing! Liberty is all about God and your fellow man, until it comes to money."