Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in New York

One of the most multifaceted industries in the United States is criminal justice. Even in areas where crime rates are low, the strength of the criminal justice system discourages would-be criminals from wreaking havoc on their community. New York, homestate to millions of people and many prominent communities in the United States, has its own share of criminal justice needs and expectations.

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

A graduate degree strengthens your ability to think critically, apply information from a variety of sources to your decision making process, and serve as a leader in your industry. To learn more about options near you, contact criminal justice graduate programs in New York.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

The criminal justice industry needs people from all different backgrounds, experiences, and areas of expertise. This is extremely apparent when you look at the state’s recent criminal justice overhaul. An inadvertent oversight in a new bill may cause the state to go soft on white-collar crimes, which was not the goal of the bill (NY Times, 2015).

With your degree, you may also be able to contribute to relevant research. A recent criminal justice study in New York was designed to trace the source of illegal guns throughout the country (Capital New York, 2015).

As you move up through different levels of education, your earning potential may also increase. Police supervisors in New York earn an average salary of $125,900 per year and correctional supervisors bring in a median income of $101,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for New York 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 York?

There are many different options for criminal justice graduate programs in NY, which means that you may have the opportunity to assess many different programs in your area before choosing one. Reported tuition rates in the state range from $590 per credit hour to $1000 per credit hour. On average, New York programs require you to earn 36 credits for graduation.

As a graduate student, you may be able to apply for financial aid through state organizations like the Corrections Officers Benevolent Association.

Credit requirements, work experience requirements, and coursework all depend on the area of focus you select. At different criminal justice graduate programs in New York, you may find programs in the following areas:

Forensic mental health
Forensic psychology
International crime and justice
Criminal justice administration
Public administration
Protection management

By looking at the curriculum for a forensic psychology program, you can understand the diversity of graduate programs. Forensic psychology blends the field of criminal justice and psychology to create counselors who have the mental strength needed to work with possibly violent offenders.

The courses below can help prepare you for a career in counseling and rehabilitation:

Research Methods and Design
Psychopathology
Clinical Interviewing and Assessment
Fieldwork in Counseling
Group Dynamics and Treatment
Violence and Aggression
Counseling and Rehabilitation of the Offender
Social Science Evidence in Court

Before you are allowed to graduate, you may need to complete an internship, a project, a thesis, or a final examination. Some specialties have specific expectations. Forensic psychology, as an example, requires several hundred hours of counseling field work.

The future of any industry is decided by those who are willing to invest in it. Learn how you can improve this field by contacting criminal justice schools in New York.