LL.M. in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

If you are planning to build a strong career in law, an LL.M. in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is definitely worth it. This advanced criminal law course gives you deeper knowledge of criminal law subjects and prepares you for leadership roles in the legal field. Here are the main reasons why this criminal law master's degree is valuable: 

Top Reasons Why an LL.M. in Criminal Law Is Worth Pursuing 

• Better Salary Opportunities: Graduates with an LL.M. in Criminal Law (LL.M. Criminal Justice) earn more than LLB holders. Salaries usually range between ₹2 -5 LPA, while senior roles can go up to ₹12 LPA.
• Covers Advanced Criminal Law Subjects: The program includes important topics like bail laws, pre-trial litigation, cybercrime, sentencing theory, white-collar crime, and justice reforms. These subjects go beyond what a normal criminal justice degree offers. 
• More Career Choices: With this degree, you can work as a criminal lawyer, prosecutor, compliance officer, legal researcher, or policy advisor. The mix of criminal law and criminology makes you fit for both practice and academic roles. 
• High Demand for Criminal Law Experts: India’s legal sector is growing fast, and there is a rising need for people with knowledge in criminal justice courses and criminal law masters. Organizations, courts, NGOs, and law firms are actively hiring skilled professionals. 
• Good Placement Support: Top universities like O.P. Jindal Global University offering this LL.M. in Criminal Justice, have strong placement records.  
• Impact on Law and Justice System: Beyond jobs, this criminal law master's program allows you to play a role in criminal justice reform. You can contribute to building fairer systems, fighting cybercrime, and improving public safety. 

Who Is This Program For?

The LL.M. in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is ideal for:

• Litigation professionals seeking to specialize in criminal law subjects such as bail hearings, strategic trials, and sentencing.
• Public prosecutors and law enforcement officers aiming to advance their understanding of criminal justice, criminology, policy, and investigative procedure.
• Policy professionals and human rights advocates working on legal reforms, justice access, and prison decongestion.
• Researchers and academics focusing on contemporary issues in criminal justice courses, cybercrime, and institutional accountability.
• Fresh law graduates who want to pursue a specialized criminal justice degree to prepare for roles in litigation, legal research, or policymaking.

The LL.M. in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is a specialized criminal law course that offers a balanced mix of theory and practice in criminal law and criminology. Students will study the evolution of criminal law subjects, from classical doctrines to emerging global trends, while building practical skills for litigation, policymaking, research, or reform in the field of law and criminal justice.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Criminal Justice Process: Gain a step-by-step understanding of how the criminal justice system works in India, from registration of an FIR to investigation, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction remedies like appeals and parole.
• Bail Jurisprudence: Examine statutory provisions, case laws, and reform movements related to bail, including the balance between individual liberty and public safety in pre-trial detention.
• Contemporary Criminal Law Subjects: Explore key topics such as white-collar crimes, cybercrime, AI-driven offences, and the legal implications of digital evidence and surveillance.
• Theories of Justice and Punishment: Analyze different models of justice, retributive, deterrent, rehabilitative, and restorative, and how they shape sentencing policies and prison reform debates.
• Legal Research & Writing: Learn to draft case briefs, write legal opinions, and conduct independent academic research, including dissertation work under faculty supervision.
• Comparative Legal Systems: Study how criminal law is practiced across jurisdictions, understanding cross-border challenges like extradition, transnational crime, and international human rights standards.
• Institutional Accountability & Access to Justice: Study key issues such as custodial violence, overcrowded prisons, rights of undertrials, and access to legal aid, which are critical for advancing criminal justice criminology.

Graduates of the LL.M. in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice from JGLS are equipped to take on impactful roles across the legal ecosystem. This advanced criminal law course not only provides deep academic knowledge but also prepares you for real-world practice and reform in the justice system.

1. Career Pathways

This program prepares you for diverse, high-impact roles, including:

• Criminal Defense Lawyer: Represent clients in complex criminal trials and appellate courts
• Public Prosecutor: Advocate for the state in criminal proceedings
• Criminal Justice Policy Advisor: Contribute to national and international law reform initiatives
• Legal Researcher / Analyst: Work with think tanks, courts, or commissions on justice-related research
• Justice System Reformer: Drive systemic change in areas like bail reform, prison conditions, and undertrial rights
• Human Rights / NGO Consultant: Advise civil society organizations on access to justice and legal empowerment

• Global Alumni Network: Leverage connections across JGU and upGrad for long-term career growth

2. Global + Local Legal Readiness

Build a strong foundation in Indian criminal law (including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita [BNS], Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita [BNSS]) while also gaining international perspectives on law and criminal justice, human rights law, and cross-border legal systems.

This isn’t just another LL.M., it’s a future-ready, globally oriented criminal law master’s degree designed for legal professionals who want real career impact. Here’s how JGU’s LL.M. via upGrad stands apart:

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is a leader in legal education and research in India. Recognized for its academic excellence, JGLS prepares students for global careers in criminal justice and law.

1. Top Rankings and Global Recognition

• Ranked No. 1 Law School in India for 5 consecutive years (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Among the top 150 law schools globally
• Recognized as an ‘Institution of Eminence’ by the Ministry of Education
  

2. Unique Blended Learning Program

This flexible online criminal law degree is tailored for both students and working professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in criminal justice courses without putting their careers on hold.

3. Industry-Focused Curriculum

Courses are designed to meet real-world challenges, blending traditional criminal law subjects with modern concerns like AI-generated fraud and undertrial incarceration.

4. Faculty with Real-World Expertise

Study under globally educated faculty with credentials from Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and NYU plus input from active legal professionals.

5. Career-Boosting Opportunities

From litigation roles to reform advocacy, this program empowers you to lead change in India’s criminal justice system and beyond.