Are you passionate about the law and crime prevention? Are you curious to know how penalties and prisons work? If yes, a degree in criminal justice is a good choice for you. But how do you find good criminal justice schools to attend?
In this article, we will review criminal justice schools as a discipline, why people choose to obtain certificates in this field, and how to identify the best criminal justice schools in the world, both physically and online. Then, we give you a list of our picks for the 10 best criminal justice schools in the world.
Table of contents
- What Is Criminal Justice?
- What to know about Criminal Justice Schools
- Why Choose a Criminal Justice School?
- What kind of Criminal Justice Degree should I get?
- How much money can I make with a Criminal Justice Degree?
- What are the requirements for a Criminal Justice Degree?
- What are the best Criminal Justice Degrees?
- #3 University of California – Irvine
- Conclusion
- References
- Editors Recommendation
What Is Criminal Justice?
According to Wikipedia, Criminal justice is the delivery of justice to those who have committed crimes. The criminal justice system is a series of government agencies and institutions. Goals include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other crimes, and moral support for victims.
The primary institutions of the criminal justice system are the police, prosecution and defense lawyers, the courts, and prisons.
What to know about Criminal Justice Schools
You can search for criminal justice schools in a specific region of the United States. Use the website of all criminal justice schools. Simply enter the zip code for a list of schools that have received criminal justice degrees. Alternatively, you can explore criminal justice schools by the state in the criminal justice degree schools.
Criminal justice schools generally offer a range of criminal justice certificates, which may include certificates/diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s, masters, and doctorates in criminal justice or any related field.
See also, 10 Best Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina
Why Choose a Criminal Justice School?
Most people choose to enroll in criminal justice schools not only to get acquainted with the criminal justice system but also to find a job that uses the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their curricula.
Basically, a degree in criminal justice can help prepare you for any of the following jobs:
- Bailiff
- CIA agent
- Correctional officer
- Crime scene investigator
- DEA agent
- FBI agent
- Fraud investigator
- Police officer
- Private detective
- Probation officer
- Secret Service agent
- Security guard
- State trooper
Although many of these jobs require only a high school diploma, obtaining a college degree or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice may help you to stand out from the candidates and increase your ability to obtain higher salaries and promotions.
What kind of Criminal Justice Degree should I get?
The way in which you design your university experience reflects your professional aspirations. For example, if you expect to work directly in law enforcement, consult a program that focuses on practical applications of criminal justice.
However, if you are more attracted to crime analysis and wonder about its causes and how they can be prevented, you may want to see programs that emphasize the importance of research and data analysis.
Regardless of how you intend to specialize, you can be sure that all programs here will provide a solid foundation in criminal justice. Even some of these programs can be fully completed online.
How much money can I make with a Criminal Justice Degree?
A degree in criminal justice will prepare you to find employment in a variety of settings: the judicial system, at a law firm, at a police station. Due to the variety of options after graduation, the average salary for a person with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice also varies.
For example, if you decide to become a police officer, you can expect to earn about $48,000 annually in your first few years. However, if you want to apply for a security management degree, you are looking for at least $63,000 a year.
Whichever route you take, the need for holders of a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is expected to increase by at least another 3.5 percent in the coming years.
What are the requirements for a Criminal Justice Degree?
The programs here are all full degree programs. You must first complete two years of general education courses (in English, science, mathematics, etc.). Once you’re done, you’ll immerse yourself in the criminal justice major, with introductory lessons like:
- Criminology
- Courts and Law
- Police and Society
- Juvenile Detention
After completing your major in criminal justice classes, you can explore the complex world of criminal justice by taking a series of elective subjects, from transnational crimes to the death penalty.
Finally, you can gain practical experience by participating in hands-on or field training. Some schools require this (be sure to mention any of them).
What are the best Criminal Justice Degrees?
While some of these programs specialize in corrections and other cybercrime, they all share one thing in common: they are the best undergraduate degrees in criminal justice.
To determine the best criminal justice programs, we first start with the academic reputation of every school across the country that offers certification. Then we study retention rates because they reflect student satisfaction. Also, we consider the affordability of the program and the salary expected of its graduates.
After our extensive research, we found those programs that are the best in the country to train leaders in law enforcement and criminology. Our figures and information come from the websites of universities and colleges, PayScale, the US News & World Report, and the National Center for Education Statistics.
Here are the best criminal justice schools in the World:
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Liberty University
- University of California – Irvine
- Florida State University
- Northeastern University
- Penn State
- University of Miami
- Texas Christian University
- La Sierra University
- University of Florida
#1 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay is an above-average public college located in Manhattan, New York in the New York City Area. It is a big institution with an enrollment of 10,276 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly competitive as the John Jay acceptance rate is 39%.
Popular majors include Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration, Psychology, and Criminology. Graduating 47% of students, John Jay alumni earn a starting salary of $31,700. It is also one of the best criminal justice schools in the World.
Acceptance rate: 39%
Graduating rate: 47%
#2 Liberty University
Maintaining the vision of the founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University develops Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.
Through its residential and online programs, services, facilities, and collaborations, the University educates men and women who will make important contributions to their workplaces and communities, follow their chosen vocations as callings to glorify God, and fulfill the Great Commission.
See also, Top 50 Scholarships for Criminal Justice and Sociology Students
#3 University of California – Irvine
UC Irvine also being among the best criminal justice schools in the World is also a highly rated public university located in Irvine, California in the Los Angeles Area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 28,855 undergraduate students.
Admissions are fairly competitive as the UC Irvine acceptance rate is 37%.
Popular majors include Social Psychology, Biology, and Public Health. Graduating 85% of students, UC Irvine alumni earn a starting salary of $41,100.
Acceptance rate: 37%
Graduating rate: 85%
#4 Florida State University
Florida State is a highly qualified public university located in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a large institution with a student population of 29,286 at the undergraduate level.
Admission is very competitive because the Florida admission rate is 49%. With 80% of students graduating, graduates from Florida continue to earn a salary starting at $36,500.
Acceptance rate: 49%
Graduating rate: 80%
Check out this Top 10 Criminal Justice Scholarships.
#5 Northeastern University
Northeastern is a highly qualified private university in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a large institution with a student population of 1,386 undergraduate students.
Admission is competitive because the Northeast admission rate is 27%. After 87% of students graduate, graduates from the Northeast receive a salary starting at $54,400.
Acceptance rate: 27%
Graduating rate: 87%
#6 Penn State
Penn State is a highly rated public college in State College, Pennsylvania. It is a big institution with an enrollment of 39,785 undergraduate students.
Admissions are fairly competitive as the Penn State acceptance rate is 50%.
Popular majors include Information Science, Biology, and Economics. Graduating 85% of students, Penn State alumni earn a starting salary of $40,100.
Acceptance rate: 50%
Graduating rate: 85%
#7 University of Miami
At the University of Miami, people’s lives are being transformed through teaching, research, and service. Its students are agents of change who are passionate about learning, keen to contribute to their community, and free to color off the lines. Actually,
The University of Miami is ranked No. 47 in the Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education College ranking, with 10,000 college students seeking degrees in 9 schools and colleges.
#8 Texas Christian University
At Texas Christian University you’ll find over 100 areas of study at a Top 100 National Institution. Professors who are among the finest minds in their fields. A vibrant, active campus life where Horned Frogs cheer on comrades in Big 12 Athletics. First-rate campus living in all new and renovated residence halls nestled in one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States.
All in an environment where faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds can thrive, and where our campus community can challenge intellects and share experiences with mutual respect. At first glance, it almost feels like your search is over. But in reality, your journey has just begun.
See also, list of Criminal justice scholarships (TOP 10) For US Citizens
#9 La Sierra University
La Sierra is a private, Christian university located in Riverside, California in the Los Angeles Area. Also, it is among the best criminal justice schools in the World. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,830 undergraduate students.
Admissions are fairly competitive as the La Sierra acceptance rate is 48%. Popular majors include Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, Business, and Pre-Medicine Studies. Graduating 47% of students, La Sierra alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $33,700.
Acceptance rate: 48%
Graduating rate: 47%
#10 University of Florida
Florida is a highly rated public university located in Gainesville, Florida. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 31,384 undergraduate students.
Admissions are fairly competitive as the Florida acceptance rate is 48%.
Popular majors include Biology, Psychology, and Liberal Arts and Humanities. Graduating 88% of students, Florida alumni earn a starting salary of $42,600.
The University of Florida is also one of the best criminal justice schools in the World.
Acceptance rate: 48%
Graduating rate: 88%
Conclusion
Today, the number of people sentenced to prison for property and violent crimes has increased even during periods of low crime rates. And with the massive increase in crime, in fact, it is necessary to study criminology.
Now, getting a degree in criminal justice allows you to pursue some of the most interesting jobs in criminal justice (This does not limit you to a police officer or a career as an FBI special agent).
Regardless, the reasons you want to get a degree in criminal justice must be important enough to continue.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_justice
- https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-criminal-justice-degrees/
- https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-criminal-justice-schools
- https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-criminal-justice/
Editors Recommendation
- 10 Best Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina
- Top 10 Criminal Justice Scholarships.
- list of Criminal justice scholarships (TOP 10) For US Citizens
- Top 50 Scholarships for Criminal Justice and Sociology Students
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