Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees in NJ

Associate Degree Programs

An associate degree in criminal justice is a good starting point for students who want to learn the basics of the profession, whether they 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.

Criminal justice programs in New Jersey require general education courses – including mathematics, English composition, and science – and are designed to increase students’ overall skills.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Bachelor’s degree programs help students prepare for entry-level positions through a combination of criminal justice coursework and general education classes. These programs provide the foundation needed for students to advance, including earning graduate degrees.

During these four-year programs, students become familiar with courtroom procedures, criminal investigation techniques, state and federal laws, and factors that contribute to crime. Depending on the school, you might also get the opportunity to participate in an internship so you can use the classroom concepts that you learned in a workplace environment.

Master’s Degree Programs

Whether you’ve worked in the legal field for a while or you completed a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s degree in criminal justice can help you reach your career goals. In addition to teaching more advanced criminal justice concepts, these programs often emphasize research.

Students will understand how research is conducted and how findings are applied to real-world situations. Some programs might require students to complete a thesis so they can conduct original research that addresses a problem in the field and proposes ways to solve it.

PhD, Doctoral, and Graduate Certificate Programs

Do you want to contribute to the criminal justice field by teaching the next generation of employees or conducting research that expands knowledge in the field? Are you interested in a high-level position at a law enforcement agency or the court system? If so, you might consider enrolling in a doctoral program. You can take advanced classes in criminal justice, criminology, and juvenile delinquency. You’ll also learn about research methods that are used by professionals to deal with issues they face every day.

Graduate certificate programs are designed for students who want to learn about a specialty within the criminal justice field. These programs generally take one year or less to complete. They include intensive classes that help build students’ expertise so they can advance in their careers. A graduate certificate program is a good alternative to a criminal justice doctoral degree for students who want to quickly increase their knowledge and skills.

Popular Questions from Criminal Justice Students in New Jersey

Is financial aid available for criminal justice programs in New Jersey?

As you investigate what kind of financial aid you might receive to pay for a degree program, be sure to check for scholarships that are specifically offered to criminal justice students. For example, the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice offers scholarships for students who are enrolled in its master’s degree program.

You might also be eligible to receive funding from the state and federal government, plus professional associations that support the criminal justice field.

Are criminal justice programs worth spending money on?

Yes; criminal justice programs let students pursue a variety of jobs, so it’s a good discipline to study. Graduates can take several career paths under the criminal justice umbrella. So, if you earn a degree on the undergraduate or graduate level, a lot of opportunities will be available.

Additionally, online programs are definitely worth the cost. Since students can save a significant amount of money on tuition and transportation, online options further boost the value of a criminal justice degree program.

Is it better to major in criminology or criminal justice?

This depends on what you want to do with your education and career. For example, if you want a job in the court system or a correctional facility, a criminal justice major is the best option. These degrees focus on the nuts and bolts of how the system works, from law enforcement to the courts to corrections.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in the more theoretical and research side of criminal justice, a criminology degree might be a better choice. Graduates who studied criminology can pursue policy and research-based roles in the field. So, gaining a deep understanding of issues like the psychological causes of crime and the impact that crime has on victims is important.

Should a criminal justice degree program in New Jersey be accredited?

Accreditation is always an important factor in choosing a degree program. It’s important to recognize that accreditation takes place at both the programmatic and school level. Students are not required to earn a degree from an accredited school in order to get a job in the criminal justice field. But, some programs are accredited by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).

At the school level, New Jersey colleges and universities are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Schools in other states are accredited by organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

How long does it take to complete a criminal justice program in New Jersey?

This depends on what type of criminal justice degree in New Jersey you’re interested in. If you want to complete your studies relatively quickly – generally, in six months to one year – a certificate on the undergraduate level will give you the introduction you need to become familiar with the field. A graduate certificate allows students with criminal justice experience to specialize in a certain sub-field.

Students who are starting to study criminal justice can enroll in an undergraduate degree program at the associate or bachelor’s level. These programs take two and four years to complete, respectively. Students at the graduate level might take two to four years to complete a degree program. The amount of time required depends on whether they enroll in a master’s degree or a doctoral degree program.

Salary Trends and Job Forecast for Criminal Justice Graduates in New Jersey

Resources for Criminal Justice Students and Professionals in New Jersey

The criminal justice field is always evolving, so it’s important that students commit themselves to lifetime learning when they pursue this profession. Numerous resources are available to help students stay updated about the field – whether they are in school or in the workplace. Listed below are some resources that can provide valuable information about different topics in criminal justice in New Jersey.

• Assistant Prosecutors’ Association of New Jersey (APANJ): This organization recognizes the essential role that 21 prosecutors’ offices around New Jersey play in the pursuit of justice. It is dedicated to promoting the success of its 1,000 members. The APANJ offers access to training, an annual convention, publications, and advocacy services.
• Criminal Justice Reform Information Center: This website, organized by the New Jersey Courts system, includes statistics and criminal justice reports released by the state legislature.
• New Jersey Chapter of the American Correctional Association: This professional organization was formed in 1983 to support the state’s correctional employees. These employees work for governmental and private agencies, plus treatment centers, schools, and community-based facilities. Members receive updated information that impacts the corrections field, plus professional development services and access to networking.
• New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association: This organization serves the needs of county jail employees who are employed across the state. Professional members can attend an annual conference, obtain access to exclusive content, and receive professional development training. The organization offers a scholarship for children and grandchildren of active members of the group.
• New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police: This organization provides services to police officers in New Jersey and their families.
• New Jersey Juvenile Officers Association (NJJOA): The NJJOA is a group of professionals who are involved in juvenile justice, including police officers, social workers, attorneys, and school administrators.
• 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.
• New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA): This group serves the needs of law enforcement officers throughout New Jersey. Members can take advantage of networking opportunities, labor relations services, and advice about investing for retirement.
• NJ Criminal Podcast: This podcast, which is hosted by criminal defense attorneys from across New Jersey, covers a variety of legal topics in the state. The website also features a corresponding blog.
• 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.

New Jersey’s Premier Online Criminal Justice Programs

Online criminal justice programs in New Jersey allow students to save money on tuition and travel because many schools offer fully online options. Some programs are delivered on an asynchronous basis, so students can watch lectures and complete assignments when it’s convenient for them rather than at a set time.

If you want to learn more about how online programs work, check out the rankings of top criminal justice schools in New Jersey below. You can also review the methodology and criteria we used to select specific colleges and universities.