Crime and justice are a concern for all communities. Those working in the criminal justice field ensure that the system functions effectively and that everyone is treated fairly. This is no simple matter, so students who step up to the challenge need specialized training to succeed. Criminal justice schools in New Jersey provide that training.
Are you interested in criminal justice programs in New Jersey but don’t know where to start? Or are you already in the field and looking for ways to increase your job opportunities and earning potential? No matter what road you’re on, this guide will help you reach your destination.
Continue reading to find out what top-rated criminal justice programs in New Jersey have to offer. Also, get a glimpse of the different career choices graduates typically pursue and the salaries they make, as well as ways to fund your education.
Best New Jersey Colleges for Criminal Justice: 2024 Spotlights
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that New Jersey has dozens of criminal justice schools. How do you make the best selection for your needs? From cost to curriculum to student services, you’ll want to make an informed decision. To help you make this choice, we’ve curated a list of the best criminal justice programs in New Jersey. See if one of these programs has what you’re looking for, and stay tuned for our full rankings list, coming soon.
Rutgers University
Since it began its criminal justice department in the 1970s, Rutgers has been providing programs that combine preprofessional training with a liberal arts education. This interdisciplinary experience delivers a deep understanding of the criminal justice field, as well as the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills professionals need to be successful.
Students earning a bachelor’s degree are required to take coursework covering policing, criminology, the prison system, and legal philosophy. In addition, they can participate and an internship to receive training from organizations such as the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness or the New Jersey Judiciary Appellate Division.
On the graduate level, Rutgers has master’s- and doctoral-level programs that also utilize its interdisciplinary approach. For example, the school has a dual MA/MPA degree for those who want to combine criminal justice and public administration studies.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $13,674/year in-state | $32,436/year out-of-state
- Mode: Full-Time
- Specializations: None
Felician University
Are you interested in a criminal justice school in New Jersey that stresses the importance of reimagining the system, one that focuses on crime victims getting the justice they deserve and addresses shortcomings in the prison and parole systems? If so, the program offered by Felician University is the right choice for you. In addition to an overview of criminal and constitutional law, victimology, and forensics, you’ll get the opportunity to focus on one of two tracks: crime and society or police studies. Also, you’ll be required to take general education courses to receive a well-rounded learning experience.
In addition, this criminal justice program in New Jersey offers opportunities for hands-on training through internships. Since the school is conveniently located near major metropolitan areas in New Jersey and New York, students complete internships at the FBI, state probation offices, police departments, and district attorneys.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $17,590/semester
- Mode: Full-Time
- Specializations: None
Georgian Court University
Through a combination of passionate, experienced professionals and a curriculum designed to nurture important skills, the criminal justice program at New Jersey’s Georgian Court University trains students to become competent and compassionate members of the profession. Graduates have gone on to work in government agencies on the state, local, and federal levels as well as nonprofit organizations and security firms.
To help prepare students for these jobs, Georgian Court University’s curriculum includes core classes in gender and crime, criminal law and practice, and law enforcement. Also, students can concentrate on one area of criminal justice to gain deeper expertise. For example, the law enforcement and corrections concentration includes a look at juvenile justice, criminal investigation procedures, and the role that race and ethnicity play in the system. Concentrations are also available in cybercrime and global justice and society.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $17,680/semester
- Mode: Full-Time
- Specializations: Cybercrime; global justice and society; law enforcement and corrections
Top Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in New Jersey
Earning a degree can be challenging enough when you’re able to dedicate all of your time to your studies. But if you’re also working to make ends meet and raising a family, completing your criminal justice program in New Jersey can be especially difficult. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Thanks to online criminal justice degrees in New Jersey, you can get your education without your other responsibilities suffering.
Online criminal justice degrees in New Jersey allow you to save money on tuition and travel because many schools have entirely virtual options. In addition, some programs may be delivered on an asynchronous basis, meaning you can watch lectures and complete assignments when it’s convenient for you, rather than on a set schedule.
Want to learn more about how virtual programs work? Check out our guide to online criminal justice degrees in New Jersey and around the country for more information on what to expect. For details about the best online criminal justice degrees in New Jersey, review the list below.
Rowan University
Rowan University has an online master’s degree in criminal justice that prepares students for a future in the field by providing a look at the history of criminal justice as well as current issues that professionals face. To be admitted, applicants are expected to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Also, the school recommends that applicants complete introductory statistics, criminal justice, or research methods courses during their undergraduate years. Along with official transcripts, applicants submit a resume, two recommendation letters, and a statement of professional objectives.
After enrolling, students take 30 credits of coursework that can be completed entirely online in one to two years. The core classes cover contemporary issues in criminal justice, policy analysis, and criminal justice planning. Students also choose elective classes in white collar crime, gender and crime, and administrative law. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on criminal justice research.
Program Highlights:
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 30
- Length: 5 semesters
- Cost: $833.26/credit
- Delivery: Online
- Specializations: None
Bergen Community College
If you’re looking for an introduction to the criminal justice field but you’re not ready to enroll in a four-year program, Bergen Community College offers an associate degree online. Students receive an introduction to the criminal justice system that prepares them to further their education or pursue jobs in the court system, law enforcement agencies, or private security companies.
When you finish this online criminal justice degree in New Jersey, you’ll have an understanding of the different components of the criminal justice system, the issues professionals face and the factors that cause them, and theories about why crime occurs and how it affects communities. Also, you’ll be required to take an ethics and criminal justice class that addresses the moral and ethical standards officials are expected to follow. In addition to classes for the major, for this online criminal justice degree in New Jersey you’ll also take coursework in mathematics, English composition, and humanities.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Science – Criminal Justice Option
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $212.75/credit in-state | $389.75/credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully-Online
- Specializations: None
Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College’s fully online associate degree is for students who want to begin their education at a two-year online criminal justice program in New Jersey and then move on to a four-year school, such as Rutgers, Kean University, or New Jersey City University. To give you the preparation to enter a criminal justice bachelor’s degree program in New Jersey, the curriculum focuses on policing, the courts, law enforcement and investigations, and juvenile offenders. Through the coursework for this online criminal justice degree in New Jersey, students develop a holistic view of the justice system that includes the factors that contribute to crime, the impact crime has on neighborhoods and victims, and how those who are arrested get treated as they go through the court, prison, and parole processes.
To further prepare students for the realities of the criminal justice field, Hudson County Community College offers an externship. During this hands-on training experience, you’ll learn how professionals combine theoretical concepts with real-world work activities to gain the skills employers are looking for.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $155/credit in-state | $457.50/credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully-Online
- Specializations: None
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees in New Jersey
Are you looking for a criminal justice school in New Jersey to help you enter the field? Or do you already have work experience and want to advance? Continue reading to find out how criminal justice colleges in New Jersey can help.
Associate Degrees
An associate degree is a good starting point for those who want to learn the basics of criminal justice, whether you want to get a job immediately after graduation or move on to a higher degree. As students work through these two-year programs, they learn about juvenile justice, forensic science, terrorism, and trends in the criminal justice field. In addition, criminal justice colleges in New Jersey have general education requirements—including mathematics, English composition, and science classes—designed to increase students’ overall skills.
Examples of Accredited New Jersey Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Bergen Community College | Hackensack | Online | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Hudson County Community College | Jersey City | Online; On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Thomas Edison State University | Trenton | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Ocean County College | Toms River | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Bachelor’s Degrees
Through a combination of criminal justice coursework and general education classes, bachelor’s degree programs help students prepare for entry-level positions. In addition, these programs provide the foundation needed for advancement, including earning graduate degrees. During these four-year programs, students become familiar with courtroom procedures, criminal investigation techniques, state and federal laws, and the factors that contribute to crime. Depending on the New Jersey criminal justice school, you may also get the opportunity to participate in an internship to solidify the classroom concepts you learned in a real workplace.
Examples of Accredited New6 Jersey Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Felician University | Rutherford | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Kean University | Union | On-Campus; Online | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rutgers – Newark | Newark | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Thomas Edison State University | Trenton | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Master’s Degrees
Whether you’ve been working in criminal justice for a while or you just completed a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s can position you for the future. In addition to learning more advanced criminal justice concepts, these criminal justice schools in New Jersey often emphasize research. You’ll be able to understand how research is conducted and how findings are applied to real-world situations. Some programs may require that students complete a thesis so they can conduct original research that addresses a problem in the field and proposes ways to solve it.
Examples of Accredited New Jersey Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kean University | Union | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rutgers University | Camden | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Stockton University | Galloway | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | Online | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Criminal Justice Doctoral Degrees in New Jersey
Do you want to contribute to the criminal justice field by teaching the next generation of employees or conducting research that expands the knowledge base? Are you interested in a high-level position at a law enforcement agency or court? Then you may want to consider enrolling in a doctoral program at a criminal justice school in New Jersey, where you can take advanced classes in criminal justice, criminology, and juvenile delinquency while learning the research methods used to increase professionals’ understanding of how to tackle issues they face every day.
Examples of Accredited New Jersey Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University | Newark | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Criminal Justice Certificates in New Jersey
If you’re looking for a way to learn a criminal justice specialty, a certificate program may help you reach your goal. Certificates, which take one year or less to complete, are offered on both the graduate and undergraduate levels. During this time, you’ll take intensive classes that help build your expertise in areas such as criminal procedure, terrorism and homeland security, victimology, and criminology. In some cases, you may be able to complete a certificate while earning a criminal justice degree in New Jersey at the same time.
Examples of Accredited New Jersey Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Warren County Community College | Washington | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Rowan College of South Jersey | Cumberland | On-Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Where to Get Financial Aid for Your Criminal Justice Degree in NJ
As you’re investigating what kind of financial aid you may find when you enroll in a criminal justice school in New Jersey, be sure to check for scholarships specifically for students in criminal justice programs. For example, the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice offers scholarships for those enrolled in its master’s degree program. Plus, you may be able to win scholarships from professional organizations, such as the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, which offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue legal careers.
Want to learn more about financial aid? Review our criminal justice scholarships and resources page, where we do a deep dive into the types of funding you can receive, such as grants, scholarships, and loans.
Job Market for Criminal Justice Grads in New Jersey
Because the profession is so vast, when you earn a degree from a criminal justice school in New Jersey you’ll be prepared for your choice of fulfilling careers and you’ll position yourself to make a healthy salary.
For a glimpse of the future for some common criminal justice positions, review the information below. In this table, we present data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on the salaries people in these careers earn, as well as information on job growth from Projections Central.
| Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 4.1% | 2,010 | $90,520 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | 13.7% | 50 | $60,100 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | -9.2% | 760 | $76,810 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | -2.4% | 230 | $77,670 |
| Forensic Science Technician | 10% | 10 | $59,120 |
Sources: Projections Central;Bureau of Labor Statistics
Criminal Justice Professional Associations in New Jersey
- Assistant Prosecutors’ Association of New Jersey (APANJ)
Recognizing the essential role that the 21 prosecutors’ offices around New Jersey play in the pursuit of justice, this organization is dedicated to promoting the success of its 1,000 members. To do this, the APANJ offers access to training, an annual convention, publications, and advocacy services. - New Jersey American Correctional Association (NJACA)
The NJACA, which is New Jersey’s chapter of the American Correctional Association, was formed in 1983 to support the state’s correctional employees who work for governmental and private agencies, as well as treatment centers, schools, and community-based facilities. Members receive the latest information that impacts corrections, professional development services, and access to networking. - New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association (NJCJWA)
The NJCJWA serves the needs of county jail employees across the state. By joining, professionals can attend an annual conference, obtain access to exclusive content, and get professional development training. In addition, the NJCJWA offers a scholarship for the children and grandchildren of active members of the group. - New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP)
The NJSACOP promotes the professional excellence of law enforcement leaders by providing services that help members work within the highest ethical standards and guide their teams to do the same. The group’s benefits include education programming, conferences, and access to its publication, The New Jersey Police Chief. - Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey
This organization helps sheriffs in New Jersey keep their communities safe by giving them the support they need to do their jobs.