Top 50 Corrections Schools

Becoming a correctional officer or working in the field of corrections isn’t as daunting of an ambition as you might think. Technology has made it possible to study from anywhere in the world. You can connect to classes from home, from work, from the library, from outdoors, or from a classroom. Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in corrections has never been easier to do.

Online education occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, however, it has become much more commonplace. Virtual instruction seems to be here to stay. This has created challenges and opportunities for teachers, who must learn to adapt to the online learning format. 

Getting a corrections degree online offers flexible attendance options, your own living arrangements, the ability to study when it suits you, and a wide selection of courses and programs from which to choose.

For some people, however, college is all about being on campus. Some feel that you don’t really experience college unless you are in a physical classroom. Luckily, there are many corrections programs that are available in an on-campus format. Some schools even offer a mixture of online and on-campus courses, so that you can experience the best of both worlds. 

How We Chose the Top 50 Corrections Schools in the United States

Each of the schools listed below have met certain standards and criteria. All schools listed below hold accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Most, but not all of them offer either a specialization or concentration in corrections, if not a degree in corrections. Almost all of them either offer an internship opportunity or require one. 

It would have been ideal to have been able to include at least one school in every state. With the availability of corrections programs as it stands, however, this couldn’t happen. Although not every state is represented, some states have more than one top corrections program offered.  

A wide variety of programs are listed below, with all of them being at the undergraduate level. Some offer concentrations other than corrections. Each of these schools has a unique set of features that places them on our list. 

Flexibility Is Key

The corrections programs listed below are flexible. As mentioned above, some are offered completely online, some are administered on campus only, and others are offered in a hybrid fashion, with a mixture of online and on-campus classes.  Today’s technology makes it possible to set up live streaming, interactive classes as well as pre-recorded classes. They are designed to fit the lifestyle of a wide variety of students, as well as teachers. 

In addition to online vs. on-campus, many of the programs listed below offer year-round enrollment or multiple start times per year. Others offer full- and part-time options for non-traditional students with other commitments in their lives. Some programs offer an accelerated option, so that you can finish your corrections studies ahead of schedule and start working in the field earlier than anticipated. Still others offer bachelor’s-to-master’s degree programs, so that you can earn an undergraduate and a graduate degree simultaneously.

Internships and Field Experiences

Most of the programs listed below either require or offer students the chance to gain real-world work experience in the corrections field. This could be through an internship, externship, field experience, or practicum. These experiences offer students valuable hands-on learning that they cannot get anywhere else.  

Even many online programs offer students hands-on training in corrections. Their internship programs are strong, well-coordinated and flexible enough to allow students to choose their own placements.  

Instructors With Experience

The corrections programs listed below feature instructors who have worked in criminal justice and corrections. They have the real-world experience students crave, and the know-how to teach students what they need to know to succeed in today’s corrections field. 

Instructors at the programs listed below not only have years of experience, they also have won awards and presented at conferences nationwide. Most importantly, however, is the fact that they have shown the ability to make a strong, fulfilling connection with students both on campus and online.

When you look more closely at the schools on this list, you will discover that they are filled with professors who have the empathy, the technological know-how, and comprehensive knowledge of the foundations of criminal justice and corrections to impart to every student.  These professors have demonstrated their ability to forge real connections with every student in their online and on-campus classes at the schools listed below.

Schools With Name Recognition and Respectability

The schools listed below are not only on our lists. They have been featured on lists by well-respected evaluators such as U.S. News and World Report and Peterson’s. So you can trust that the corrections programs at these schools are top-notch, as we are not the only ones recommending them. Other professionals have seen their value as well. 

Job Placement After Graduation 

The schools that we have chosen have strong job placement rates for graduates year after year. They also have high graduation rates, meaning that students who start these corrections programs finish them, two or four years later.  

State-by-State: Our Top Picks for the 50 Best Corrections Schools in the United States

The information provided below should be used as a guide to help you find the best corrections program that fits your individual needs and lifestyle.

Arizona

Arizona Western College – Yuma

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Arts – Administration of Justice Studies – Corrections Pathway
  • Online: some classes offered online
  • On Campus: in Yuma, AZ
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact: Timothy Smith, Dean of Workforce Development and Career & Technical Education, at (928) 344-7696 or [email protected]

Arizona Western College’s Administration of Justice Studies AA program offers pathways in Corrections and Homeland Security. The college also offers AA degrees in Customs and Border Protection, Cyber Criminology and Homeland Security, as well as undergraduate certificates in Cyber Criminology and Public Safety Level 1. 

Arkansas

Arkansas Tech University – Russellville

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice 
    • Associate of Arts- Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Criminology
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: in Russellville, AR
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Dr. David Ward, Head of Behavior Sciences Dept., at (479) 968-0305 or [email protected]

The Criminal Justice degree programs are housed within the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Arkansas Tech University. The school also offers a Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Studies. Alumni of the program have worked in the local county Sheriff’s Offices as well as in federal law enforcement agencies. 

 

California

Reedley College – Reedley

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminology – Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: in Reedley, CA
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
  • Contact:

Reedley College also offers a Certificate of Achievement in Corrections, as well as an Associate of Science for Transfer degree in Administration of Justice. Criminology programs are housed within the Department of Social Sciences. The Pete P. Peters Honors Program is offered to students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Rio Hondo College – Whittier

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science –Corrections (27 credits)
    • Associate of Arts – Corrections (24 credits)
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Whittier, CA
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
  • Contact:

Rio Hondo’s Corrections degree programs have been endorsed by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the California Department of Corrections, California Youth Authority and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association as programs beneficial to apprentices. Current correctional officers who have graduated from the CDCR Correctional Officer Academy can also get transfer credit at Rio Hondo. 

San Diego State University-Global Campus

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: no
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • WASC Senior College and University Commission
  • Contact:
    • Admissions at (619) 594-2283  

SDSU’s Global Campus offers this Bachelor of Science Online Degree Completion program for students who have started but not finished a four-year undergraduate degree. It is open to students who have completed 60 transferable credits. It is offered entirely online, and taught by teachers who have professional experience in criminal justice.  (An on-campus program is offered at SDSU’s Imperial Valley campus).

Southwestern College – Chula Vista

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Administration of Justice- Corrections Emphasis
    • Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, at Otay Mesa Higher Education Center, CA
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
  • Contact:

Opened in 1961, Southwestern College also offers an AS in Administration of Justice with a Law Enforcement emphasis. A recommended elective in this program is on Mexican-American History. Graduates of this program will be eligible for jobs as Correctional Officer/Jailer, Police Patrol Officer, Police Detective, Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff. 

Connecticut

Western Connecticut State University – Danbury

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Justice and Law Administration- Corrections 
    • Bachelor of Science – Justice and Law Administration – Probation, Parole and Offender Rehabilitation
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, at Westside campus in Danbury, CT
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • New England Commission of Higher Education
    • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Contact:

Housed within the Ancell School of Business, WCSU’s BS in Justice and Law Administration program also offers concentrations in Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, and Criminology. The Division of Justice and Law Administration as founded in 1976. Today, over 500 students major in Justice and Law Administration, and are taught by a faculty of 10, assisted by 14 part-time faculty members. 

Delaware

University of Delaware – Newark

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice 
    • Bachelor of Arts – Sociology – Law and Society Concentration
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Newark, DE
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Contact:

The University of Delaware’s Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice features faculty members who have received national and international recognition for published research. They also offer an Inside/Out program that allows undergraduates to take courses along with incarcerated people inside a correctional institution. 

Florida

Saint Leo University – Saint Leo, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in St. Leo, FL
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:

Saint Leo University offers concentrations in Criminalistics and Homeland Security within their Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree program. Field placements have occurred with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Secret Service. Mock trials and death chamber role-playing takes place within the school’s criminal justice classes. 

Georgia

Reinhardt University – Waleska, North Fulton, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice 
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice 
    • Bachelor of Science- Sociology-Criminology/Criminal Justice Concentration
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:

Reinhardt University’s AS in Criminal Justice and BS in Criminal Justice degrees are offered completely online, while the BS in Sociology is offered on-campus and in a hybrid format. The online program offers start dates every eight weeks. Both programs feature challenging faculty who expose students to social justice issues that they might not always agree with. Students are challenged to become leaders in both their personal and professional lives.

Hawaii

Chaminade University of Honolulu– Honolulu, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminology & Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminology & Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Honolulu, HI
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • WASC Senior College and University Commission
  • Contact:
    • Dale Fryxell, Dean, School of Education & Behavioral Sciences, at (808) 739-4678 or [email protected]

The BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Chaminade is the largest and oldest in the state of Hawaii, and is offered both completely online and in a hybrid format. Internships and immersive learning experiences are offered to students, as is learning from peers, as law enforcement professionals are often brought in to teach courses within the programs. 

Idaho

College of Southern Idaho – Twin Falls, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Associate of Applied Science – Law Enforcement
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Twin Falls, ID
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Contact:

Both of CSI’s Associate Degree programs are housed within the Social Science Department. The Law Enforcement program is designed for those who wish to work as police officers and eliminates the need to attend the basic police academy for certification after graduation. Classes are offered on-campus and online for student flexibility.

Illinois

Richland Community College – Decatur

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Applied Science – Criminal Justice –Correctional Officer 
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Decatur, IL
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Karen Lockhart, Student Success Coach at (217) 875-7211, ext. 6295, or [email protected]

Richland Community College’s Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program offers four concentrations: Patrol Officer, Correctional Officer, Probation and Parole Officer, and Emergency Telecommunications Specialist. As this is a career and technical education program, and therefore seen as a career degree, some of the courses might not be transferrable to four-year colleges. Two colleges that have accepted Richland’s credits in the past are Franklin University in Columbus, OH and Greenville University in Greenville, IL. 

Indiana

Ball State University – Muncie, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice & Criminology
    • Bachelor of Arts/Science – Criminal Justice and Criminology- Concentration in Corrections and Human Behavior
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Muncie, IN
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

Ball State University’s BA/BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology offers three concentrations: Psychology in Law Enforcement, Corrections and Human Behavior, and Psychology and the Legal System. A minor in Law Enforcement Scuba is also available. Classes are available online, on campus, and in a hybrid format.

Iowa

University of Iowa – Iowa City, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts/Science – Criminology, Law and Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Iowa City, IA
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

The University of Iowa’s BA/BS program in Criminology, Law and Justice is within the school’s Department of Sociology and Criminology. Students who maintain a 3.33 GPA in all courses may graduate with honors in the major. A summer program in Crime and Justice in Britain is available. Graduates of the University of Iowa have a 95 percent job/grad school placement rate within six months of graduation.

Kansas

Barton Community College – Great Bend

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Applied Science – Corrections Officer
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Great Bend, KS
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

The Corrections Officer degree program at Barton gives students 200 hours of training with the Kansas Department of Corrections. It is suitable for new students as well as current correctional officers. Completion of the program can lead to promotion within the corrections system. An AAS and AA degree program in Criminal Justice is also available on-campus in Great Bend and at Ft. Leavenworth. 

Kentucky

Bellarmine University – Louisville

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice Studies
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Louisville, KY
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

All criminal justice studies majors at Bellarmine must complete at least one semester-long internship. The interdisciplinary focus of the liberal arts degree program offers students a well-rounded approach, with courses in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, anthropology and more. Study abroad programs are also available for interested students. 

Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana -Natchitoches, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Unified Public Safety Administration- Concentration in Law Enforcement Administration
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Natchitoches, LA
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:

Both the BA and BS programs are under the School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The BS in Unified Public Safety Administration program offers other concentrations, including Emergency Management Administration, Fire and Emergency Medical Service Administration, Geo Computation, Nuclear Surety Management, and Public Facilities Management. 

Maine

Husson University – Bangor

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, Bangor, ME
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • New England Commission of Higher Education
  • Contact:
    • John Michaud, Director, School of Legal Studies, at (207) 941-7037 or [email protected]

Husson University’s School of Legal Studies in the College of Business offers the BS in Criminal Justice degree program. Although the entire degree cannot be earned online, some classes are available online. Husson is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. overall. An average of 70 students graduate with the BS in Criminal Justice each year.

Maryland

University of Maryland Global Campus –online and on-campus across the country

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice 
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, at various locations in MD, HI, CA, VA, FL, TX, WA, DC, NY
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Contact:
    • Admissions at (855) 655-8682 

Housed in the school’s Department of Public Safety, UMGC offers its BS in Criminal Justice completely online, or in a hybrid format, with in-person classes available across the country.  Courses in the degree include Victimology, Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice, Drugs and Crime, Criminal Investigation, and Correctional Administration. Flexible scheduling and multiple start dates make this program one of the top corrections schools in the nation.

Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University -Bridgewater

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice -Victimology Concentration 
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Bridgewater, MA
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • New England Commission of Higher Education
  • Contact:

The BS in Criminal Justice program at Bridgewater State is also offered online, and those taking on-campus classes can study some classes online in a hybrid format. Internships are available in a variety of organizations including the Department of Corrections. Criminal justice students may also participate in undergraduate research programs and the Criminal Justice Student Organization.

Michigan

Ferris State University – Big Rapids

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice- Corrections Option
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Big Rapids, MI
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

Ferris State’s BS in Criminal Justice-Corrections Option is housed in the College of Business. It includes the option of certification of the minimum educational requirements for the position of state corrections officer in the Michigan Correctional Officers Training Council. IT also includes certification for job entry into the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Minnesota

Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College – Fond du Lac

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Fond du Lac, MN
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Cheryl Harder, Corrections Program Coordinator, at (218) 879-0742 or [email protected]

Students in Fond du Lac’s AS program in Corrections may co-enroll at Pine Technical and Community College. After graduation, they may transfer with upper-division status to Minnesota State University-Mankato. Instructors at Fond du Lac have direct field experience in corrections, probation and parole, and youth treatment.

Minnesota State University -Mankato – Mankato

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Mankato, MN
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

Housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, MSU-Mankato’s BS in Corrections provides students with real-world experience in the form of field practice and experiential learning. A BS in Criminal Justice and a BS in Law Enforcement are also available. Some classes are available online so that students may study in a hybrid format if desired.

Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, Gulf Park

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice – Juvenile Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Hattiesburg and Gulf Park, MS
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:
    • Dr. Janet Donaldson, Interim Director of School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security, at [email protected]  

Students in the BA in Criminal Justice programs at USM are encouraged to complete an internship. Possible internship placements include Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, law enforcement agencies, and juvenile justice agencies. Faculty are prominent scholars in their areas of expertise. Classes are available in on-campus and online formats for flexibility. 

Missouri

College of the Ozarks – Point Lookout

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice- Emphasis in Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Point Lookout, MO
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

Classes at the College of the Ozarks are available in on-campus and online formats for flexibility. Majors have the opportunity to participate in field trips to prisons, jails, law enforcement agencies, and other agencies and sites in the justice system. An optional internship is offered in a student’s junior or senior year. An emphasis in Law Enforcement is also an option for students in the BS-Criminal Justice program. 

Nebraska

Northeast Community College – Norfolk, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Arts – Criminal Justice – Corrections
    • Associate in Applied Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Norfolk, NE
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Admissions at (402) 844-7719

The Corrections concentration at Northeast Community College provides a foundation for transferring to a four-year college after graduation. The Criminal Justice Association travels to correctional facilities throughout the area and encourages student involvement in community events. Northeast Community College also offers an AA in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in Law Enforcement.

New Jersey

Georgian Court University – Lakewood

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice – Minor in Law Enforcement & Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Lakewood, NJ
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
  • Contact:
    • Undergraduate Admissions at (732) 987-2700 

Other minors offered within the BA in Criminal Justice program at Georgian Court University are in Cyber Crime; Politics, Law & History; and Global Justice & Society. The curriculum is designed with social justice and the development of concrete, translatable skills in mind. Although you can’t earn the degree completely online, classes are offered on-campus and online for maximum flexibility and accessibility. 

Rowan University – Glassboro, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Law and Justice Studies 
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Glassboro, NJ
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
  • Contact:

Rowan University’s Law and Justice Studies program prepares students to work in corrections, human services, law enforcement and security services, and court services. An internship is required prior to graduation. Study abroad opportunities are also offered to interested students. A Master of Arts program in Criminal Justice is also available at the university.

New York

Excelsior College – Albany

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice 
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: no
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
  • Contact:

Excelsior awards credit towards your degree for military training. Up to 113 transfer credits can be awarded, and a median of 70 transfer credits are usually accepted. Coursework in the BS program covers psychological, sociological and criminological theories as well as job-related knowledge regarding the causes of criminal behavior. Both the AS and BS in Criminal Justice are offered completely online.

Monroe College – Bronx, New Rochelle, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
  • Contact:
    • Guylaine Harrison, J.D., M.B.A., Dean, School of Criminal and Social Justice, at (718) 933-6700 ext. 8604 or [email protected]

Internships that Monroe College BS in Criminal Justice students have participated in (during the third year of the program) include the New York City Department of Probation, the Westchester Department of Probation, the Parkchester Department of Public Safety, and the New York City Police Department. Students may study completely online or in a hybrid mixture of online and on-campus classes. 

Utica College – Utica and online

Utica College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. You may study completely online, on campus or in a hybrid mixture of online and on-campus classes. Each year, more than 60 students in the program secure internships with organizations in their chosen fields. Additionally, there are three cutting-edge research centers and institutes on the campus of Utica College.

North Dakota

North Dakota State University – Fargo

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Fargo, ND
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Carol Archbold, Department of Criminal Justice Chair, at (701) 231-5697 or [email protected]

NDSU’s Department of Criminal Justice serves 248 undergraduate students. Additionally, the department offers a MS and a PhD. in criminal justice, serving 20 graduate students as of 2021. The program offers an optional summer police academy/internship with the Fargo Police Department, as well as offering optional peace officer licensure through them. 

Ohio

University of Cincinnati Clermont College – Batavia

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice Technology -Corrections
    • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Batavia, OH
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

In addition to the AAS degree in Criminal Justice Technology with an emphasis on Corrections, UC Clermont also offers AAS degrees in Criminal Justice Technology with an emphasis on Law Enforcement and an optional Police Academy training. The BS in Criminal Justice program is offered completely online. The school also offers an online MS in Criminal Justice. 

Xavier University – Cincinnati, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Science – Corrections
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Cincinnati, OH
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

The BS in Criminal Justice program at Xavier includes a required three-hour practicum consisting of a 150-hour field placement supervised placement in criminal justice agencies. A concentration in Criminalistics is also available. Careers in corrections that graduates have entered into include Warden, Probation Officer, Parole Officer, Jail/Prison Custodial Officer, Counselor, Case Worker, Administrator, Recreation Specialist, and Vocational/Academic Teacher.

Oklahoma

Northwestern Oklahoma State University – Alva

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice –Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Cincinnati, OH
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

The BS in Criminal Justice at Northwestern Oklahoma State University also offers a La Enforcement track designed for students who intend to pursue careers in policing. Internships are available to junior and senior level students in private and public sector agencies. Students must have completed at least 12 hours of upper-division courses in their major in order to qualify for an internship.

University of Central Oklahoma – Edmond

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Edmond, OK
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Elizabeth Maier, Ph.D., Director of Criminal Justice at (405) 974-5504 or [email protected]

The University of Central Oklahoma also offers a general BA in Criminal Justice (without the Corrections emphasis) as well as a MA in Criminal Justice Management and Administration, and a MA in Crime and Intelligence Analysis. A practicum/internship is required prior to graduation. Students must be a junior or senior and have completed 90 credit hours before enrolling in a practicum. Internship sites have included Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center, Oklahoma County Community Sentencing, Norman Probation and Parole Office, Oklahoma Probation Services, and the Federal Correction Institution in El Reno.

Oregon

Portland State University – Portland, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminology & Criminal Justice 
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminology & Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Portland, OR
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Contact:

Portland State also offers a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Criminology & Criminal Justice as well as a MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice. Programs are available 100% online as well as in a hybrid format. The degree programs are housed within the school’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. 

Pennsylvania

University of Scranton – Scranton

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Science – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Scranton, PA
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
    • Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Contact:

The University of Scranton’s BS in Criminal Justice program is one of only five undergraduate criminal justice degree programs in the country to be certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Internships are available in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey or in Washington, D.C. 

Villanova University – Villanova

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminology
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Villanova, PA
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Contact:
    • Kelly Welch, Ph.D., Chair of Criminology at (610) 519-7048

The Sociology & Criminology Dept. at Villanova also offers a Criminology minor. The BA in Criminology program emphasizes the justice component over a technical program focused on applied skills. This interdisciplinary program teaches students to think critically about individuals and societies. 

Rhode Island

Salve Regina University – Newport

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Arts – Administration of Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Administration of Justice
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Newport, RI
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • New England Commission of Higher Education
  • Contact:

Salve Regina also offers a MS program in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security, as well as a concentration in Juvenile Justice in the BS program, and a minor in Administration of Justice. Internships are required. Students are also invited to participate in a variety of research and projects. 

South Carolina

The Citadel – Charleston, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Charleston, SC
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:
    • LTC Matthew Zommer, Criminal Justice Dept. Head at (843) 953-2425 or [email protected]  

Two options are available in the BA program in Criminal Justice at the Citadel: the traditional South Carolina Corps of Cadets education, or the online degree completion program on evenings, weekends and online. The Criminal Justice Department at the Citadel also offers a MA in Social Science program. Majors in the BA program are eligible to join the Citadel Criminal Justice Society as well as Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice students. 

South Dakota

University of South Dakota – Vermillion, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts- Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Vermillion, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • North Central Association of College s and Secondary Schools
  • Contact:
    • David Earnest, Ph.D., Chair, Dept. of Political Science at (605) 677-5242 or [email protected]

USD also offers a Master of Public Administration degree that has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Faculty have experience working as corrections or probation officers, police officers and other governmental and criminal justice positions. 

Texas

Midwestern State University – Wichita Falls

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice – Corrections
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Wichita Falls and Flower Mount, TX
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:

The BS in Criminal Justice program at MSU features available concentrations in Corrections, Courts, International Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement. MSU also offers a MA in Criminal Justice program. Classes are available on campus, online and in a hybrid format, for maximum flexibility and accessibility for students. 

Virginia

Wytheville Community College – Wytheville

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate in Applied Science in Protective Services Technology – Corrections Science
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Wytheville, Galax and Marion, VA
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:

Graduates of the AAS program in Protective Services Technology-Corrections Science at Wytheville Community College are ready to be local, state and federal corrections officers as well as work in community corrections. An internship is required of all students. The program also offers a one-year certificate in Corrections Officer-Public Service, intended for aspiring law enforcement officers.

Washington

Pierce College – Lakewood, Puyallup

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Applied Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Lakewood and Puyallup
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 
  • Contact:

The criminal justice program at Pierce College is housed within the Social and Behavioral Sciences-Public Services Department. The AAS is considered to be a Direct Transfer Associate degree, meaning that it is transferable to any four-year college. Colleges which have accepted the degree include Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Saint Martin’s University, University of Washington-Tacoma, and Washington State University. 

Saint Martin’s University – Lacey

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminology and Criminal Justice- Concentration in Corrections
  • Online: no
  • On Campus: yes, in Lacey and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Campuses, WA
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 
  • Contact:

Saint Martin’s is a small, private, not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lacey, WA. Faculty-student ratio is low, at 1:1. Internships are required for all criminal justice students, with the Washington State Dept. of Corrections a past participant. Other concentrations available include Law Enforcement & Investigation, Legal Studies, and Victim Services. 

West Virginia

American Public University – Charles Town, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice
    • Bachelor of Science-Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: no
  • Hybrid: no
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Admissions at (877) 755-2787

American Public University System has rolling start dates and year-round admissions for its online AA, BA and BS in Criminal Justice programs. The BS program is more science-oriented while the BA program takes an interdisciplinary approach to criminal justice. Research is a feature of both criminal justice programs at APU.

Wisconsin

Herzing University –Kenosha, Brookfield, online

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice 
    • Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Kenosha, and Brookfield/Milwaukee, WI
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:
    • Admissions at (800) 596-0724

Concentrations available in the BS program in Criminal Justice at Herzing University are Homeland Security & Counterterrorism, and Management & Leadership. Start dates are multiple and rolling. Students may take classes completely online, on campus or in a hybrid format.

Wyoming

University of Wyoming –

  • Degrees Offered:
    • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Online: yes
  • On Campus: yes, in Laramie, WY
  • Hybrid: yes
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
  • Contact:

The BA in Criminal Justice at University of Wyoming is also a pre-law degree, designed for those who want to attend law school after graduation. It also works as a stand-alone degree for those wishing to enter the corrections field. Graduates have gotten positions with agencies such as the Wyoming Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.