Start Your Criminal Justice Career in Connecticut!
Entry-level police officers and corrections officers are in high demand across the state of Connecticut.
The state’s commitment to restorative justice also calls for a number of new probation officers, parole officers, social workers, and psychologists.
If you’re looking for a way to make an impact on your community by entering the field of criminal justice or public service — this guide is for you!
In this guide, we provide an overview of some of the best criminal justice schools in Connecticut, offering certificates through master’s degree-level training and education.
Best Criminal Justice Schools in Connecticut
The best criminal justice schools in Connecticut offer prospective students the opportunity to earn a quick entry into the profession by earning a specialized certificate or a higher-level degree in criminal justice studies and related fields.
Many of the programs below offer flexible learning options including web-based criminal justice courses and classes that meet in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate busy student schedules.
Dive into the guide below to learn about the best criminal justice programs, degree requirements, and estimated program costs.
Contact program directors to learn more about admission requirements and financial aid for qualified students!
1 University of New Haven
About the Program
The University of New Haven makes the list of Connecticut’s best criminal justice schools for their Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and their online criminal justice program.
Their online program is designed to offer continuing education options for working criminal justice professionals like law enforcement officers seeking to earn a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Justice
- Computer Crime
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Criminal Justice Management
- Problem-Oriented Policing
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Victimology
Average Program Costs: $33,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, Connecticut - 06516
- Phone: 203-932-7000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Hartford
About the Program
If you live in Connecticut and you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree in a Criminal Justice related field, the University of Hartford teaches students about the underlying drivers of crime and the consequences associated with criminal behavior.
This program allows students to take immersive internships to test drive their careers while earning credit towards a BA.
UH also offers a minor in criminal justice studies for students seeking a basic introduction to the field.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Crime, Law, and the Administration of Justice
- Drugs and Society
- Deviance
- Criminology
- Methods of Social Research
- Internship
Average Program Costs: $30,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut - 06117
- Phone: 860-768-4100
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Naugatuck Valley Community College
About the Program
NVCC offers local area students the opportunity to take their Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement degree program to gain fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed to work as criminal justice professionals in Connecticut.
Their program introduces students to the concepts needed to complete general education requirements and criminal justice courses that prepare them for careers in local law enforcement.
Students who take coursework at NVCC will learn the fundamentals of criminal justice and hands-on practical skills like firearms handling and defensive tactics.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law I
- Criminology
- Constitutional Law
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Justice Cooperative Work Experience
- Victimology
- Historical Knowledge
- Quantitative Reasoning
Average Program Costs: $6,743.00
Contact Information
- Address: 190 Main Street, Danbury, Connecticut - 06810
- Phone: 203-437-9699
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Goodwin University - East Hartford
About the Program
Goodwin University offers a comprehensive criminal justice degree program that teaches students the skills needed to work as law enforcement officers, security professionals, and administrators of justice.
Students who take courses at Goodwin have the opportunity to take online classes with day or evening courses available.
This program also offers specializations in majors like Homeland Security.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Law
- Criminal Procedures
- Criminology
- Juvenile Justice in America
- Introduction to Computer Crimes and Security
- Viewing Life Mathematically
- Criminal Law
- Internship
- Criminal Justice Electives
Average Program Costs: $23,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: One Riverside Drive, East Hartford - 06188
- Phone: 800-889-3282
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Charter Oak State College
About the Program
Charter Oak State College has bachelor’s degree programs for students majoring in criminal justice studies.
Their CJ major is an interdisciplinary major that combines liberal arts and sciences courses with core criminal justice courses for a comprehensive education.
Students who learn at COSC will learn the fundamentals of the local and federal criminal justice system, along with the drivers of criminology, ethics, and criminal justice research methods.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Constitutional Law
- Abnormal Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Statistics for Behavioral Science
- Psychology
- Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Social Psychology and Deviance
- Race, Class, and Gender in the Criminal Justice System
- Victimology
Average Program Costs: $14,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 185 Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut - 06051
- Phone: 860-515-3800
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Saint Joseph
About the Program
The University of Saint Joseph offers its Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice combined with Restorative Justice which trains aspiring CJ professionals on the fundamentals and skills needed to work as Connecticut criminal justice professionals.
Students learn how law enforcement works together with judicial and corrections systems to administer justice with a heavy emphasis on providing community-based support services to prevent reoffending and recidivism as restorative justice.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Victimology
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Justice
- Forensic Psychology
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- White Collar Crime
- Organized Crime
- Constitutional Law
- Writing for Social Sciences
Average Program Costs: $26,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut - 06117
- Phone: 860-232-4571
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Northwestern Connecticut Community College
About the Program
NCCC gives Connecticut students the opportunity to earn an AS in Criminal Justice and Criminology or an Associate of Arts degree in Criminology studies via their Public Services, Social, and Behavioral Sciences program.
Their program offers several different pathways and career tracks for entry-level criminal justice professionals planning on beginning their careers in Connecticut.
Available specializations include Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, and others.
Students who complete their Associate’s program are ready for entry-level employment in their relevant fields or continuing their criminal justice education by transferring applicable credits to bachelor’s degree programs or pre-law programs.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Fair and Impartial Policing
- American Government
- Introduction to Law
- Evidence and Criminal Procedure
- Careers in Criminal Justice
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
- Practicum in Criminal Justice
- State and Local Government
- Diversity and Multiculturalism in Criminal Justice
- Writing and Research for Criminal Justice
Average Program Costs: $6,438.00
Contact Information
- Address: Park Place, Winstead, Connecticut - 06098
- Phone: 860-738-6300
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Western Connecticut State University
About the Program
The School of Professional Studies at Western Connecticut State University presents its Justice and Law Administration program to criminal justice degree-seeking students.
Their program gives students the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree as a precursor to pursuing criminal justice careers at the local, state, and federal levels.
Students seeking to enter law school can also take this program to build a solid foundation and fundamental skills needed to work in the profession.
Bachelor’s degree students at WCSU can continue their education by completing their Master of Science degree program for criminal justice majors.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Writing for the Justice Professions
- Forensics
- Commercial Law
- Family Law
- Justice and Law Administration
- Principles of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Women and Criminal Justice
- Real Estate Law
- Contemporary Issues in Justice and Law Administration
Average Program Costs: $16,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 181 White Street, Danbury, Connecticut - 06810
- Phone: 203-837-9000
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Bridgeport
About the Program
The University of Bridgeport trains public safety officials in security, justice, and criminology.
Their online bachelor of science degree program prepares students to work as entry-level law enforcement officers, security professionals, justice administrators, and corrections officers.
UB offers a few different options for students seeking to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree level education in criminal justice studies.
They also offer a concentration in Human Security, Comparative Justice, and Criminology for students aspiring to become CJ professionals with specialized skills in these fields.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Research Methods
- Law Enforcement and Society
- Court Systems and Practices
- Sociology of Deviance
- Introduction to Corrections
- Criminology
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Victimology
- Globalization
- Human Security
- Internship
Average Program Costs: $24,000.00
Contact Information
- Address: 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut - 06604
- Phone: 800-392-3582
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Central Connecticut State University
About the Program
Central Connecticut State University offers three levels of criminal justice education for degree-seeking students.
Students can earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in comprehensive programs that include introductory and advanced classes on criminal justice-related topics and interdisciplinary studies.
They also offer a minor in criminal justice that provides students with a basic introduction to the field as they decide whether they want to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor’s or Master of Arts degree in public service.
CCSU also has certificate-level criminal justice programs where students learn the fundamentals of working as Connecticut detectives and private investigators.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Corrections
- Criminal Law
- Gangs in America
- Criminology
- Cybercrime
- Police Crisis Response
- Domestic Violence
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Moral Issues
- Business Statistics
- Supervised Field Studies in Criminal Justice
Average Program Costs: $6,496.00
Contact Information
- Address: 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, Connecticut - 06050
- Phone: 860-832-3200
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
Connecticut’s criminal justice salaries make well-paying salaries that afford them a comfortable lifestyle.
Many of the state’s professionals make above $50,000.00 per year, according to online salary reports from reputable sources like Indeed.
Following are examples of the annual salaries for selected Connecticut CJ professionals:
- Police Officers: $73,699.00
- Corrections Officers: $37,026.00
- Detectives: $67,070.00
- Social Workers: $67, 281.00
- Psychologists: $85,602.00
- Data Analysts: $84,923.00
- Victims Advocates: $60,668.00
Criminal justice students looking to earn higher salaries can boost their income by completing continuing education, certification, licensure, or higher education programs that lead to prestigious careers as lawyers and judges.
Aspiring criminal justice professionals should research their desired career and salary and tailor their education and training programs around the desired role.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$72K |
|
$89K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Connecticut
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $94,479 |
| New Haven | $90,129 |
| Hartford | $90,054 |
| Stamford | $95,706 |
| Waterbury | $89,656 |
| Norwalk | $95,706 |
| Danbury | $92,330 |
| New Britain | $89,822 |
| West Hartford | $90,054 |
| Greenwich | $95,706 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 230 | $98,110 | $47.17 | $112,710 | $84,050 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 400 | $97,650 | $46.95 | $127,960 | $70,280 |
| New Haven, CT | 200 | $115,200 | $55.38 | $177,470 | $80,260 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 60 | $97,950 | $47.09 | $152,170 | $76,700 |
| Waterbury, CT | 60 | $89,140 | $42.86 | $92,780 | $81,710 |
* 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
Providing more context about the geographic locations of these schools within Connecticut, including the surrounding community and available resources, would give prospective students a better idea of what to expect. I am looking forward to some updates soon.
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