Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in New Jersey

Although New Jersey is far from being one of the largest states, it does have one of the highest population densities in the country. For the field of criminal justice, this means New Jersey has challenges other states don’t deal with. This is particularly true in the largest cities of New Jersey, where crime rates tend to be higher.

What Can I Do With My Master’s in Criminal Justice in New Jersey?

If you have a background in criminal justice or if you have long considered the possibilities of working in the industry, you can develop a strong understanding of important issues facing the criminal justice system with a criminal justice master’s degree in New Jersey. Check out our list of schools below to find out which options are available to you.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

Criminal justice leaders in New Jersey have had some major successes in recent years. In fact, New Jersey is second in the entire country in terms of reducing its prison population, a huge goal for many states right now (NJ.com, 2017).

Another area of success in New Jersey is victim rights. If victims are treated poorly by the justice system, they may often feel victimized all over again. A recent report indicates that New Jersey has extremely strong protective rights for victims (New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety).

If you have worked in the criminal justice industry before, you may already know a bit about the career options available to master’s degree graduates. Your path may take you into management, academia, legislation, or social justice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that New Jersey correctional supervisors claim a median salary of $104,280 per year (2022), and job openings are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Criminal justice professors earn an average of $79,320 per year (BLS, 2022). Demand for professors in this field may increase 16% by 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

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.

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in New Jersey?

When you decide to pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice, it’s important to know exactly what you’re signing up for. You do need a bachelor’s degree to begin a graduate program, but New Jersey schools are extremely flexible about which type of bachelor’s degree they’ll accept.

If you have not studied criminal justice at the undergraduate level, you may simply need to take some core courses to catch up to your peers. Criminal justice master’s programs in New Jersey may focus on the field as a whole, or they may delve into a specific area of study.

Options for criminal justice graduate programs in New Jersey include:

Forensic psychology
Homeland security
Professional security
Emergency management
Police administration
Administration of justice and security

Specific learning goals are set by each school, but they tend to focus on the same areas of growth and education. At your school, you may find that the learning outcomes focus on these core areas:

Problem solving
Policy skills
Leadership
Integrity

The cost of your education depends on whether you are a full-time or part-time student and if you are a New Jersey resident. On a per credit basis, tuition in New Jersey ranges from $640 per credit hour to $1200 per credit hour. Depending on which part of the criminal justice field you want to work in, you may be able to apply for assistance through groups like the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police.

Criminal justice graduate programs in New Jersey can help you take the next step in your education. Request more information below.

Online programs may not be available in all areas.