New Hampshire Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Overview

New Hampshire has a population of just 1.3 million. Although the capital is Concord, Manchester is the city where most people reside, with 110,506 people. Manchester was recently ranked as the 13th best city to live in the US and New Hampshire has the lowest unemployment rate in New England. New Hampshire also has one of the lowest crime rates in the United States.

Criminal Justice Education in New Hampshire

There are 10 schools in New Hampshire that offer criminal justice degree programs. Some of these are two-year associate programs; others are four-year bachelor’s programs in criminal justice education. A couple of schools also offer master’s programs with an emphasis on online studies. This allows those already pursuing criminal justice careers to seek advancement while maintaining their current positions. Master’s degrees often open doors to management and administrative positions in law enforcement, probation and parole, forensics, and criminal investigations.

Students enrolling in a four-year degree program will take basic required courses in math, English and science. In addition to the core curriculum, some electives can be taken, especially in years two and three. A variety of criminal justice courses will round out a student’s coursework. Such courses will often be similar to those listed here:

• Basics of Criminal Law
• Criminal Justice Research Methods
• U.S. Courts and Legal System
• Ethics Studies in Criminal Justice
• American Racial Relations
• Conducting Legal Research

In addition to the coursework, a semester out in the field will usually occur during one’s junior year. The fourth and final year in criminal justice education will usually consist mostly of an off-site internship related to the student’s selected criminal justice specialty.

If you are concerned about paying for school, you may want to visit this page to learn more about criminal justice scholarships.

Also, the New Hampshire Incentive Program, the Leveraged Incentive Grants and the Granite State Scholars are just three financial aid programs worth looking into. If you need funding for your criminal justice education, it’s also worth consulting your future college and university counselors for school-specific scholarships.

Outlook for Criminal Justice in New Hampshire

Criminal justice degrees are especially valuable in the fields of protective services and legal aid, two fields in which the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates job growth to remain steady through 2032. According to data compiled in May 2022 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, law enforcement officers in New Hampshire are paid a median annual salary of about $59,480. The national average is $65,790. Detectives and criminal investigators earn an average of $83,970 in New Hampshire. Correctional officers receive an average of $50,920 on an annual basis. Supervisory personnel earn a significant amount more. For example, first-line supervisors in law enforcement earn an average salary of $89,240.

Specifically, a New Hampshire State Police “Trooper I” position pays approximately $64,000 to start. With ten years of accumulated certified law enforcement experience, one can apply for the “Trooper II” level.

In the private sector, private investigators earn an average of $67,960 per year. Security guards average $38,210 in annual compensation.

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