Start Your Criminal Justice Career in Maine!
If you’re looking to start a career in law enforcement, corrections, or jobs related to the administration of justice, a criminal justice career may be right for you!
People enter the field of criminal justice because they want to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
They begin their careers by attending the best-accredited schools and earning bachelor’s, associate’s, and certificates in criminal justice studies.
Best Criminal Justice Schools in Maine
The guide below provides an overview of some of the best criminal justice schools in Maine.
These accredited and highly acclaimed schools prepare those seeking entry-level criminal justice careers for the practical application of their knowledge and skills.
Maine’s best criminal justice schools also give pre-law students the legal foundation needed to continue their education by entering law school to become judges, lawyers, and other top-level criminal justice officials.
Dive in to find a comprehensive overview of the state’s best programs including examples of related coursework and average program costs.
Contact each program individually to learn more about admission requirements, financial aid, and application procedures.
1 Husson University
About the Program
The School of Legal Studies at Husson University teaches criminal justice students the fundamentals of leadership, law, and justice in their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
They train students to work in a variety of criminal justice-related disciplines in administrative, social services, and law enforcement capacities.
Their program features immersive internships that give students the real feel of working in their chosen profession.
Husson University has dual degrees and accelerated programs for students who want to learn multiple disciplines and criminal justice practice areas.
They also have partnerships with a wide variety of respected criminal justice agencies, including the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and the Maine Chiefs of Police Association.
Courses Offered
- Intro to Justice and Public Safety
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Criminal Procedure
- Criminal Justice Capstone
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Police Operations
Average Program Costs: $22,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 1 College Circle, Bangor, Maine - 04401
- Phone: 207-941-7000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Endicott College
About the Program
The School of Social Sciences, Communications, and Humanities has a criminal justice program for students interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement and administration in the American justice system.
Students who enroll in Endicott’s program are trained to develop much-needed critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills to help them effectively find solutions to problems and communicate clear solutions to detainees, court officials, and the general public.
Endicott offers students the opportunity to take multiple internships to find their best career fit.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law
- Critical Reading and Writing
- Introduction to Sociology
- Criminology
- Police Process
- Statistical Methods in the Social Sciences
- Forensic Science
- Constitutional Law
- Terrorism Studies
- Cyber Threats and Security
Average Program Costs: $37,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 376 Hale Street, Beverly, Maine - 01915
- Phone: 978-927-0585
- Website: Visit School Website
3 University of Maine at Augusta
About the Program
The UMA Justice Studies department provides a solid academic foundation for aspiring criminal justice students who want to begin careers in law enforcement, corrections, and administrative roles.
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, or one of their criminal justice certificates in paralegal studies, community policing, or forensics.
They can also earn a certificate in fraud examination or an information security certificate for students interested in working in cybercrime and cybersecurity.
Prospective students who want to represent clients in court can take the UMA advocacy minor.
Courses Offered
- Foundations of Criminal Justice
- Due Process in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law
- Legal Writing
- Principles of Investigation
- Violence in the Family
- Law of Criminal Evidence
- Legal Research and Materials
- Contracts and Consumer Law
- Restorative Justice
- American Legal History
Average Program Costs: $9,889.00
Contact Information
- Address: 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine - 04330
- Phone: 877-UMA-1234
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Maine at Presque Isle
About the Program
UMPI has a criminal justice program for students who want to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice or an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.
Students who enroll at the University of Maine Presque Isle can take online or on-campus courses to earn the required credits for their desired degree.
UMPI has several support options for students enrolled in their criminal justice programs, including immersive service-based learning, a criminal justice club, and the opportunity to attend informative criminal justice conferences.
Courses Offered
- Theoretical Criminology
- Criminal Law
- Police and Policing
- Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- Crime Control Policies
- Punishment and Correction
- Business Communication
- Criminal Justice Ethics
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Criminology
Average Program Costs: $9,266.00
Contact Information
- Address: 181 Main Street, Presque Isle, Maine - 04769
- Phone: 207-768-9532
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Central Maine Community College
About the Program
Aspiring criminal justice students who want to earn an associate’s degree can take coursework at Southern Maine Community College.
They train students in the American criminal justice system as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, and protective services.
Students who complete the program will have gained substantive knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure and learn how to apply their newly acquired skills to using the latest criminal justice technology.
Most students complete the Southern Maine Community College criminal justice program in around four semesters when they enroll for a minimum of 15 credit hours.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Substantive Criminal Law
- Criminal Investigation
- Introduction to Criminology
- Law of Arrest, Search, and Seizure
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Quantitative Reasoning
Average Program Costs: $9,235.00
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine - 04106
- Phone: 207-741-5500
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Thomas College
About the Program
Thomas College offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with concentrations in Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Conservation Law Enforcement, and Corrections.
Their 121-credit hour program trains students to work in criminal justice-related fields through career-focused courses and the application of practical knowledge through internships.
They offer a fast-track option for aspiring CJ students wanting to complete their program in around three years.
Courses Offered
- The Court System
- Rights and Roles of Citizens
- Policing in America
- The Corrections System
- Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice
Average Program Costs: $22,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 180 West River Road, Waterville, Maine - 04901
- Phone: 207-859-1111
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Saint Joseph College of Maine
About the Program
Saint Joseph College gives students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in a criminal justice discipline as part of their multidisciplinary curriculum.
Their curriculum combines core courses with general education courses and social sciences that give students a comprehensive perspective on how the American criminal justice system, law enforcement, and the public all work together to form a total solution based on theory and research.
They also offer internships for students to apply their practical knowledge and gain real-life practice as they prepare to begin their new careers.
Students who take criminal justice classes at Saint Joseph’s may take part in field trips into the community and police ride-along as part of their immersive education and internships.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Forensic Psychology – Concentration
- Minor in Criminal Justice
- Scientific Methods in Criminal Justice
- Principles of Sociology
- Criminology
- Introduction to the Profession of Social Work
- Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice
Average Program Costs: $29,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine - 04084
- Phone: 207-892-6766
- Website: Visit School Website
8 York County Community College
About the Program
York County Community College offers a criminal justice training program that prepares students for success as police officers, criminal justice administrators, corrections officers, lawyers, and other law enforcement and security professionals.
Students who take criminal justice studies at YCCC can take full-time, part-time, or online classes to work towards their 60-credit hour associate degree, which takes most students around four semesters to complete.
This program gives students a fundamental understanding of criminal justice and the administration of justice, readying them for entry-level criminal justice careers or transferring credits to a four-year criminal justice program.
Courses Offered
- Wellness for Professionals
- Criminal Law
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Victim Advocacy
- Police Organizations
- Contemporary Corrections
- Introduction to Psychology
- Case Preparation
- Oral Communications
Average Program Costs: $11,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 112 College Drive, Wells, Maine - 04090
- Phone: 207-216-4300
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Beal University
About the Program
Maine area students looking to make quick entry into the field of criminal justice and law enforcement can earn a diploma or an associate’s degree at Beal University within as little as eight months.
Their fast-paced program provides an introduction to criminal justice, and it teaches students the fundamentals needed to work as law enforcement officials in Maine.
Students will take coursework learning the latest law enforcement tactics and procedures, followed by hands-on exercises to practice self-defense skills in immersive real-life scenarios.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement Physical Conditioning and Self-Defense
- Police Patrol Procedures
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Investigations and Forensics
- Rules of Evidence
- Advanced Law Enforcement Protocols
- Community Oriented Policing
Average Program Costs: $19,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 99 Farm Road, Bangor, Maine - 04401
- Phone: 207-307-3900
- Website: Visit School Website
10 University of Maine at Fort Kent
About the Program
The University of Maine at Fort Kent has an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rural Public Safety Administration that prepares students for law enforcement and administration careers.
They offer their program with on-campus and online options along with a required internship where students are allowed to practice and demonstrate their newly earned skills.
Students take their internships at designated law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Constitutional Law
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Abnormal Psychology
- Terrorism
- Case Preparation and Resolution
- Interviewing Concepts in Modern Policing
- Public Safety Internship
Average Program Costs: $9,214.00
Contact Information
- Address: 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, Maine - 04743
- Phone: 207-834-7500
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
Maine’s criminal justice salaries vary by profession, years of education in the field, agency, and location worked.
Following are a few examples of local criminal justice salaries reported by Indeed.
- Criminal Justice Administrators: $43,108
- Police Officers: $76,352.00
- Lawyers: $80,439.00
- Paralegal: $44,390.00
- Corrections Officers: $42,907.00
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$55K |
|
$73K |
|
$81K |
Average Salary in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $75,194 |
| Lewiston | $74,432 |
| Bangor | $69,673 |
| South Portland | $75,194 |
| Auburn | $74,432 |
| Windham | $75,144 |
| Biddeford | $74,839 |
| Saco | $75,042 |
| Augusta | $71,671 |
| Scarborough | $75,194 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 50 | $95,070 | $45.71 | $147,740 | $61,340 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 120 | $100,450 | $48.29 | $170,810 | $67,500 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Criminal Justice Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
I graduated from one of these schools last year and can vouch for the quality of education and the career opportunities they provide.
Choosing the right criminal justice school is crucial, and this list definitely highlights some top contenders.