Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs in New Jersey

There is no question about it: one of the most necessary, yet challenging, industries in the United States is criminal justice. Though professionals in this field may take quite a bit of heat for the policies and rules they set forth, it is clear that criminal justice is one of the cornerstones of society. If you would like a career that helps you make New Jersey a better place to live, explore bachelor’s in criminal justice programs in New Jersey.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

Though criminal justice professionals in some parts of New Jersey just have to maintain peace and order, in other parts of the state, crime rates demand justice professionals who are willing to think and act quickly. In Newark, for example, crime rates are among the highest in the nation. This city has one of the highest murder rates in the country, and this may be due to persistent poverty among the population. Criminal justice professionals who are willing to look at the whole picture and bring the city back to a state of safety are in high demand.

Justice graduates in this state are also responsible for coming up with innovative solutions to problems. A recent news story tells of a statewide plan to use fines paid by criminals to upgrade school security throughout New Jersey.

Earning Your Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in New Jersey

Before you select a criminal justice school to attend, you may want to look at the curricula for different programs. Doing so outlines what you need to learn, what skills you may bring to the table after graduation, and what areas of concentration you may select from. Courses that may be required of you as an undergraduate student include Court and Criminal Procedures, Juvenile Justice, Forensic Evidence, Statistics for Criminal Justice, and Fundamentals of Criminal Law.

When you reach the higher level courses in your curriculum, you may be able to choose an area of concentration. Options like criminology, policing, and investigations permit you to take courses that specifically relate to your intended career path.

As you look at different schools, you may also want to look at the financial aid that they offer. There are school-specific and statewide scholarships and grants for promising students. Some school-specific grants include the Richard J. Hughes Award, the Lieutenant Edward Manzione Award, and the Ralph Johnson Bunche Distinguished Graduate Award. The Cliff View Pilot reports on four scholarships that are offered to students across the state through the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey.

Working With Your Criminal Justice Degree in New Jersey

Jobs in this industry are expected to remain fairly stable in New Jersey for several years to come. Each year through 2030, CareerOneStop expects to see 240 new criminal investigator jobs in New Jersey. They anticipate the creation of 760 jobs per year in the field of corrections (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Across the board, salaries in New Jersey are above the national average. The average salary for a criminal investigator is $103,960 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2022. The average salary for a corrections officer is $76,810 per year (BLS, 2022).

Contact criminal justice programs in New Jersey to get started today.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for New Jersey contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.