Rhode Island Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Overview

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country and its relatively large population of about 1 million makes it the second most densely populated state in the country. Providence, the capital and largest city, has a population of roughly 171,000. Half of the post-secondary institutions in Rhode Island are in Providence.

Graduates who obtain criminal justice degrees can look to local law enforcement in Providence, Pawtucket and other municipalities. The many miles of coastline and the security activities at Providence’s Intl Airport combine to offer ample opportunities in Homeland Security.

Using CriminalJusticePrograms.com is an easy way to find out what criminal justice programs are all about. If you’re ready to search for schools now, click on the button below to get started.

Criminal Justice Education in Rhode Island

Criminal justice colleges in Rhode Island offer both two-year, associate’s degrees and four-year bachelor’s degrees. A couple of institutions also offer master’s programs in criminal justice education. Master’s degrees can open up opportunities in management, probation and parole, forensics and criminal investigations.

A core curriculum lies at the center of a typical bachelor’s program. Anticipate coursework in the areas of English, science and math. This creates a solid foundation upon which your specialized criminal justice education can be built. Some electives will also be possible, more so after one’s first year is finished. Many criminal justice courses will bear a resemblance to these important areas of study:

• United States Criminal Justice: An Overview
• Criminal Law: An Introduction
• U.S. Criminal Justice: A Comprehensive History
• Research Techniques in Criminal Justice
• The Judiciary and the Legal System
• The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice
• United States Racial Relations
• Legal Writing and Research Methodologies

During their criminal justice education, students often have one semester of field work during the Junior Year. In the fourth and final year, an off-campus internship in the student’s designated specialty will often comprise a major portion of the senior year.

Some of the best financial aid programs to start looking into include the Rhode Island State Grant Program and the College Bound Fund Academic Promise Scholarship program. The larger universities allow students to apply for financial aid directly through the university. You can also find criminal justice scholarship opportunities by clicking here.

Outlook for Criminal Justice in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the average law enforcement officer earns $68,290 per year, according to a May 2022 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is in line with the reported national average of $71,350 (BLS, 2022). Officers promoted to “first-line” supervisors earn, on average, $90,630. Detectives and criminal investigators must often complete years on the job before being promoted to their positions, but they do receive annual salaries in Rhode Island that average $90,340. Meanwhile, corrections officers receive average annual compensation of $49,610 nationwide. Overall, job growth for protective service careers is expected to remain steady through 2032 (BLS, 2022).

Criminal justice career opportunities in the state are understandably concentrated in the Providence area, where many of the state’s one million residents reside. A four-year bachelor’s degree can enhance a graduate’s chances with regards to a variety of state and federal positions that become available in the state from time to time. On the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security hires transportation security agents (TSA), criminal investigators, special agents and disaster assistance specialists. The state of Rhode Island Dept. of Public Safety and the Dept. of Corrections hire those with criminal justice degrees.

Also, the Rhode Island State Police hires troopers and investigators. During the 24-week Training Academy experience, new recruits get $1,300 on a bi-weekly basis, minus meal expenses. After graduating from the Academy, a trooper starts at $70,761. This increases incrementally over the first four years, to $86,274 (RI State Police, 2024). Troopers work a 42-hour week in a “three-days on/three-days off” cycle.

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

If these professions sound like something you’re interested in, find out more by requesting information from the schools below!