Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in NY

Pursuing a career in criminal justice is a sure way to help make the world a better, safer place for all of us. But that’s not the only reason to pursue a criminal justice program in New York. The degree can be a great investment because New York state offers higher than average wages and ample job opportunities for criminal justice professionals at every degree level.

Now let’s get to it. First, for all you remote learners, we’ll get started by looking at the top online criminal justice degrees in New York. From there, we’ll dig into the details. You’ll be able to explore schools based on the type of degree you’re looking for and learn what to expect in each type of program.

Ranking the Top Online Programs in New York

Right now, you may be asking yourself, “Do I really want to move to attend school?” It’s totally understandable if you don’t want to uproot your life for the sake of your education. Fortunately, there are some equally amazing programs that you can attend fully online. These programs are designed to be particularly flexible to accommodate the needs of working professionals, students with family responsibilities, or students who are just plain busy.

But many people find the world of online education to be confusing. The key point to remember is that, when it comes to job hunting, online degrees are indistinguishable from traditional degrees. The main difference is that instead of being tied to a rigid class schedule, you’ll learn through online lectures and assignments that you can complete on your own time. If you have questions about online criminal justice degrees in New York or elsewhere, check out our guide to online criminal justice degrees.

So, if you want a stellar education on your own terms, consider these top online criminal justice degrees in New York.

Financial Aid in NY to Help Pay for Your Criminal Justice Degree

Earning a criminal justice degree at a school in New York is a worthy investment in your future. But it’s still an investment, so naturally you want to do everything you can to minimize your out-of-pocket costs for tuition and other expenses. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. For starters, many schools offer merit and need-based financial aid packages that reduce your tuition costs and fees. You can also seek federal funding for your education through the FAFSA program.

From there, you’ll find that many law enforcement professional groups offer scholarships and grants to students enrolled in criminal justice schools in New York. For example, both the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute and the New York State Trooper Foundation award funding to promising students. Many of the professional institutions we’ve linked to below also have scholarship programs.

If you want to learn more about funding your education, we’ve got a guide for that. Our Criminal Justice Scholarships and Resources page has all the information you need to finance your tuition.

Job Outlook and Salaries for Criminal Justice Professionals in New York

Criminal justice experts of all stripes are in high demand throughout New York. Across the board, careers in law enforcement, criminal investigation, and related fields are growing far faster than the national average. On top of that, criminal justice professionals in New York command significantly higher wages than average. So, once you’ve graduated from a criminal justice school in New York, you can expect to have some options when it comes to starting your career. And because of the wide range of job opportunities, you’ll find plenty of openings to apply to, whatever your degree level.

To paint a picture of New York’s job landscape, we’ve researched five common job titles for criminal justice grads. In the table below, you can compare job growth, annual job openings, and the average salary of the various profession. These projections can be a helpful guide while you explore your interests and develop a career plan tied to your criminal justice program in New York.

Sources: Projections Central;Bureau of Labor Statistics

Resources for Criminal Justice Students and Professionals in New York

• Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS)
  This association is made up of private detectives, security professionals, and other nongovernmental workers in the criminal justice field. ALDONYS is a valuable resource for independent workers to network, attend professional development workshops, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.
• New York Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA)
  The OPCA is a state-run organization dedicated to oversight, resources, and professional development for criminal justice professionals. Here, you can access practical resources including news, current statistics, project information, and a considerable library.
• New York State Probation Officers Association
  This professional organization offers you access to a network of current and retired probation officers. Through their regular events and networking resources you can learn from their collective experience and build connections in your field.
• Police Benevolent Association of New York City
  The Police Benevolent Association represents the entirety of New York City’s police force. The organization advocates for officers’ rights and offers support to them and their families. The organization also runs a scholarship program for criminal justice students who intend to pursue careers in the police force.
• Police Conference of New York
  Despite its name, the Police Conference of New York is actually a professional network for law enforcement officers of all types. Here, you can stay up to date on current issues, learn about events, and connect with other law enforcement professionals.