Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees in NJ
Explore the best criminal justice programs in New Jersey today. Whether you’re looking for an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate, or want to study online or blended, we’ll help you find the right program in the right format to launch or advance your criminal justice career.
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.
Ranking of Top 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 around the country for more information on what to expect. For details about the best online criminal justice degrees in New Jersey, review our rankings list below.
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.