Best Colleges for Criminal Justice

Are you interested in a career dedicated to upholding justice and the law? A criminal justice degree can open doors to numerous exciting fields, from law enforcement and corrections to forensic science and victim advocacy. But with so many colleges offering criminal justice programs, choosing the right one for you can feel overwhelming. 

This article will guide you through some of the top criminal justice colleges in the country, helping you find the perfect fit to launch your rewarding career in criminal justice. And if you need admission essay writing help, our experts are online 24/7.

Description of a Criminal Justice Major 

First, let’s understand what a criminal justice major is, what job opportunities it offers, and how long it takes students to graduate with that career.

What Is Criminal Justice Major

A criminal justice major explores the inner workings of the legal system, examining law enforcement, court procedures, corrections, and the causes of crime. Through this broad approach, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how crimes are investigated, prosecuted, and punished, preparing them for careers in everything from police work and corrections to forensic science and victim advocacy. 

In addition, a criminal justice major studies the social science side of crime, analyzing factors that contribute to criminal behavior and potential solutions for a safer society.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Criminal Justice Major

A criminal justice degree opens doors to a fascinating pool of professions. This field goes beyond police work and offers rewarding opportunities in law enforcement, investigations, forensics, and even rehabilitation. 

Let's explore the diverse criminal justice jobs you can pursue after becoming a major:

How Long Does It Take to Get a Criminal Justice Degree

A bachelor's degree in criminal justice typically takes four years if you study full-time. This translates to around 120 credits of coursework covering criminal law, criminology, forensics, and the justice system. However, some programs offer accelerated options or part-time schedules that can adjust the timeframe depending on your needs.

• Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice: This two-year program provides a foundation in criminal justice principles and can qualify you for entry-level positions in law enforcement or corrections.
• Master's Degree in Criminal Justice: This advanced program allows you to specialize in a specific area like forensic science, corrections administration, or criminal justice leadership. It typically takes 1-2 years to complete after your Bachelor's degree.

Read more: Criminal Justice Research Topics.

10 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice

Dreaming of a career fighting crime? This is your golden ticket in, as ee’ve prepared a list of top criminal justice colleges and are ready to share what makes them great!

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (New York, NY)

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice positions itself as a leader in criminal justice education. Founded specifically for this field, John Jay boasts a curriculum designed and delivered by experts. Professors are often seasoned professionals with real-world experience in law enforcement, forensics, or other criminal justice sectors.

Moreover, John Jay's location in New York City offers an unmatched advantage. New York is a major hub for law enforcement, forensics, and legal institutions. This proximity provides John Jay with unparalleled access to internships and networking opportunities. By interning with established agencies and organizations, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience and build connections that can be instrumental in launching your career. John Jay's NYC location transforms the city into a giant learning lab, allowing you to witness the criminal justice system in action.

University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA)

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is among the best colleges for criminal justice. While not solely dedicated to criminal justice like John Jay, UCI's program benefits from the vast resources of a prestigious research university. 

Their curriculum incorporates a strong foundation in social sciences, allowing you to explore the root causes of crime alongside the legalities and enforcement procedures. This interdisciplinary approach equips you with a well-rounded understanding of the criminal justice system and its societal impact. Additionally, UCI boasts a renowned criminology faculty conducting cutting-edge research. 

Beyond academics, UCI's location in Irvine, California, offers distinct advantages. Situated in Orange County, UCI provides access to varied criminal justice agencies, including police departments, probation offices, and correctional facilities. These connections can translate into valuable internship and research opportunities, allowing you to gain practical experience and build relationships within the field. Furthermore, California's large and diverse population exposes you to a wide spectrum of criminal justice issues, enriching your learning experience.

Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)

Florida State University (FSU) emerges as a frontrunner for securing a top-notch criminal justice education. FSU's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice boasts a rich history as one of the nation's oldest programs in the field. This translates to a well-established curriculum honed over decades, ensuring a comprehensive and relevant education. 

Moreover, FSU faculty are renowned for their research contributions, bringing a wealth of academic expertise and real-world experience into the classroom. By learning from these esteemed scholars, you'll gain a deep understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications within criminal justice.

FSU's location in Tallahassee, Florida, further strengthens its criminal justice program. As the state capital, Tallahassee houses the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, courts, and correctional facilities. This proximity creates exceptional opportunities for internships and research collaborations with these key institutions. 

Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)

Michigan State University (MSU) offers a compelling program for students seeking a well-rounded criminal justice education. Founded in 1935, MSU's School of Criminal Justice boasts a long legacy of excellence. Their curriculum is designed to equip you with a broad understanding of the criminal justice system, encompassing law enforcement, corrections, courts, and the legal system. 

MSU goes beyond teaching legalities; this criminal justice college taps into the social, political, and economic factors influencing crime and justice. This multi-faceted approach prepares you to be a critical thinker and problem solver in criminal justice. Furthermore, MSU's faculty are accomplished researchers and experienced practitioners, bringing a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world experience into the classroom.

Beyond academics, MSU's location in East Lansing, Michigan, offers distinct advantages. Near the state capital, Lansing, MSU provides easy access to government agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. These connections translate into valuable internship and research opportunities.

Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA)

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) at University Park makes a strong case for being a top choice for a criminal justice degree. It balances a broad liberal arts foundation and specialized criminal justice coursework. This ensures you graduate with a deep understanding of the criminal justice system and strong critical thinking, communication, and research skills. 

Penn State's curriculum includes theoretical underpinnings of crime causation, crime control policies, and the complex interplay between law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Furthermore, Penn State boasts a distinguished faculty with extensive experience in research and practice. Learning from these experts gives you a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the criminal justice field.

Beyond academics, Penn State's location in University Park, Pennsylvania, provides valuable advantages. In a state with a large and diverse population, Penn State exposes you to a wide range of criminal justice issues. This diversity allows you to study the system's application in different contexts, enriching your learning experience. 

Additionally, Penn State's proximity to major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh opens doors to internship and research opportunities with established law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. These experiences allow you to gain practical skills and build connections that can be instrumental in launching your career.

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

Northeastern University (NU) in Boston offers a unique and compelling approach to criminal justice education, making it a strong contender for the top spot. NU's signature program is cooperative education, integrating classroom learning with professional work experience. 

Through co-ops with law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, and other criminal justice organizations, you'll gain invaluable hands-on experience while still a student. This allows you to test your interests, develop practical skills, and build professional connections before graduation. 

Being among the top criminal justice colleges, NU's curriculum is rigorous and comprehensive, teaching the theoretical foundations of criminal justice and practical applications. Expert faculty, many with real-world experience, will guide you in exploring crime causation, criminal justice policy, and the complexities of the legal system.

NU's location in Boston, a major hub for law enforcement, legal institutions, and academic research, further strengthens its program. This proximity translates into a wealth of internship and networking opportunities. 

University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)

The University of Cincinnati (UC) emerges as a top contender for students seeking a premier criminal justice education. First, UC boasts a highly respected School of Criminal Justice, consistently ranked among the nation's best according to U.S. News & World Report. 

This translates into a rigorous curriculum designed by experts and delivered by faculty with extensive experience in law enforcement, corrections, or other areas of criminal justice. The curriculum goes beyond teaching the law; it offers insights into the social, political, and economic factors influencing crime and justice. 

Furthermore, UC offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees in criminal justice, allowing you to tailor your education to your specific career goals. Beyond academics, UC's location in Cincinnati, Ohio, provides a distinct advantage. Cincinnati is a major metropolitan area with a diverse population, exposing you to sundry criminal justice issues. 

Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX)

SHSU boasts the oldest PhD program in criminal justice in the US. This translates into a curriculum informed by the latest research and a deep understanding of the field's evolution. Their College of Criminal Justice offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing you to specialize in areas like forensics, corrections, or administration.

SHSU's faculty are more than just academics; they're seasoned professionals with real-world experience. This criminal justice college brings practical insights and case studies into the classroom, ensuring you graduate with a solid theoretical foundation and the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Huntsville, Texas, positions you perfectly for success within the state's criminal justice system. Texas' diverse population, from bustling cities to rural communities, offers a chance to study numerous criminal justice challenges. 

Additionally, Huntsville is home to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice headquarters and correctional facilities. SHSU leverages these connections to provide exceptional internship and research opportunities. 

Rutgers University-New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ)

RU-NB's School of Criminal Justice is a national heavyweight. But its faculty are more than just academics – they're veterans of law enforcement, forensics, and the justice system itself. They translate theory into action, teaching you the skills you need to hit the ground running. 

Courses tackle the system's complexities, from why crime happens and how law enforcement operates to the intricate dance between courts and corrections. You'll graduate with a critical understanding of the challenges and the ability to solve them.

Location, location, location! RU-NB is next to New York City, a global center for law enforcement, legal institutions, and cutting-edge criminal justice research. This translates into an unrivaled internship scene. Imagine interning with established agencies and organizations, gaining hands-on experience alongside seasoned professionals, and building a network that can launch your career. 

Plus, New Jersey faces diverse criminal justice issues, allowing you to study the system in action across different contexts.

University of Maryland, College Park (College Park, MD)

According to U.S. News & World Report, UMD boasts the #1 ranked graduate program in Criminology, which translates to a stellar undergraduate program as well. Their Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJS) is among the best colleges for criminal justice, with faculty who are accomplished researchers and experienced professionals. 

UMD's location in College Park, Maryland, primes you up perfectly for success. Situated near Washington, D.C., the hub of federal law enforcement and national criminal justice policy, UMD offers unparalleled access to internship and research opportunities. Picture internships at government agencies or advocacy groups, gaining invaluable experience and potentially forging connections that can propel your career.

Beyond its proximity to D.C., Maryland itself presents a diverse range of criminal justice issues. You can study the system's application in miscellaneous contexts, from urban centers to suburban and rural communities. This broadens your perspective and prepares you for a career that may take you anywhere.

Summing Up

Picture this: you're glued to the latest detective show, piecing together clues alongside the characters. Ever wonder how cool it would be to be on that side of the screen? A criminal justice degree lets you do just that (minus the fancy suits). 

In addition, it's not just about catching criminals (though that can be thrilling!). You could also help victims, make the system fairer, or even prevent crime altogether. It's a tough but rewarding industry where you can truly make a difference in your own neighborhood, city, or even country!

So, if you make up your mind to apply to a criminal justice college, let us help you write essay for your admissions. It will boost your odds and help avoid a lot of stress.

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