The many criminal justice jobs that are available in Indiana demonstrate the need for qualified criminal justice professionals.
People who choose criminal justice as their career often work in law enforcement or corrections facilities.
Many people who work as criminal justice specialists in Indiana work at the local level, while others choose to work at state or federal agencies.
Getting an education in criminal justice prepares students to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge that are needed by professionals.
Criminal justice professionals often want to expand their skills and career opportunities by completing an advanced criminal justice program in Indiana.
These best criminal justice schools in Indiana prepare students for entry-level positions or to enhance their skills to excel as leaders or administrators.
1 Indiana State University
About the School
Indiana State University provides students with a high-quality education through efforts such as experiential learning, community engagement, and career readiness.
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program graduate with the skills that they need for a criminal justice career.
Courses Offered
The courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Indiana State University prepare students to work in their preferred area.
Many graduates work in law enforcement, while others work in corrections, juvenile justice, or private security and investigations.
Some students who want to work in leadership or management roles continue their studies and earn a graduate degree.
Program courses include:
Introduction to Law Enforcement, Introduction to Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Justice Report Writing, and Criminal Law and Procedure. Some other required courses include Victimology, Introduction to Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Dynamics of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior.
Students also complete an internship.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 North Seventh St., Terre Haute, Indiana, 47809
- Phone: 812-237-2192
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Indiana Tech
About the School
Indiana Tech opened its doors as Indiana Technical College in 1930.
Today, the school is known as Indiana Tech.
The school has many career-focused educational programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Indiana Tech provide students with knowledge of the various systems and institutions that are responsible for enforcing laws and protecting citizen’s rights.
Students gain critical thinking and analytical skills.
They learn to identify and solve problems.
The elective courses in the program are geared towards the student’s choice of specialization.
The specializations for this program include Understanding Criminal Behavior, Juvenile Justice, Policing/Corrections, Criminal Profiling, and Crime Scene Investigations.
Courses include Basics of Criminal Investigation, Understanding Criminal Behavior, Substantive Criminal Law, and Laws of Evidence.
Students also complete Introduction to Law Studies, Understanding Procedural Law, and A System of Juvenile Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46803
- Phone: 260-422-5561
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Indiana University Online
About the School
Indiana University understands that not all students are able to attend classes on campus or at certain times.
Students who need flexibility in their criminal justice program can enroll in the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Indiana University is an accelerated program.
What is an accelerated program?
It means that students in this program complete courses in six to eight weeks.
The accelerated program has multiple start dates throughout the year.
Courses in the accelerated online program include Theories of Crime and Deviance, Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice, Police in Contemporary Society, and Criminal Justice Management.
Contact Information
- Address: 107 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington, Indiana, 47405
- Phone: 812-855-4848
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Southern Indiana
About the School
The University of Southern Indiana has offered innovative educational programs since it opened its doors in 1965.
It offers opportunities for students who want to study abroad.
The university also offers in-state tuition for all students.
The school offers online programs for students who want to expand their knowledge and their careers, including the Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the University of Southern Indiana allows students to complete the program in as little as one year.
Students can choose to complete the program on the accelerated track or the standard track.
The program courses provide students with new knowledge of the facets of criminal justice, including criminal law, criminal procedure, police culture, and ethical decision-making.
Students may receive credit for up to nine hours of prior learning.
The curriculum includes courses such as Criminological Theory, Criminal Justice Policy and Practice, and Criminal Justice Administration.
Elective courses include Law and Procedure, Seminar in Criminal Courts, and Ethics in Criminal Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712
- Phone: 812-464-8600
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Ivy Tech Community College
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College believes that the path to the future is different for every student.
Students who want a path to a career in criminal justice have several options at Ivy Tech.
One option is the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
Ivy Tech Community College offers its Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program at an amazing 18 locations.
Students complete 60 credit hours of study over four semesters.
The degree is geared towards students who want to work in the field immediately after graduation or those who want to improve their career opportunities.
Program courses include Introduction to Courts, Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Law Enforcement, and Juvenile Justice Systems.
Students complete 14 credits of electives, choosing from courses such as Media and the Law, and Introduction to Homeland Security.
The school also offers an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program.
The Associate of Science program is geared towards students who want to continue their education at a four-year institution.
Ivy Tech Community College also offers several certificate programs, including a 30-credit hour Criminal Justice Certificate, an 18-credit Professionalism in Corrections Certificate, and an 18-credit Professionalism in Policing Certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 815 E. 60th Street, Anderson, IN 46013
- Phone: 765-643-7133
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion
About the School
The Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion location offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
The program is for students who want to serve communities at the local level or who want to prepare for global engagement.
Work at local law enforcement or correctional facilities or work for state or federal agencies that protect and serve people around the country and around the globe.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program opens new doors for students entering the profession and for students seeking leadership positions in criminal justice.
Courses in the program include Criminal Law, Constitutional Law/Civil Liberties, Forensics, Probation and Parole, and Cybercrime.
The school also offers an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program and an undergraduate certificate in criminal justice program.
Contact Information
- Address: 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953
- Phone: 866-468-6498
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Indiana State University Online
About the School
Indiana State University offers an award-winning Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program in an online format.
The degree is geared towards students who hold a bachelor’s degree, and for those who want to advance or change their career.
Students choose from several concentrations, including Security Studies, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Intelligence Analysis, or Cybercriminology.
Courses Offered
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program consists of 36 credits.
Courses include Criminological Theories, Research in Criminology, and Ethics in Criminal Justice.
Elective courses include Law and Criminal Justice Administration, Police Problems and Practices, and Criminal Justice Organization and Management.
Students complete one Special Topics course.
Topics may include crime analysis, wrongful conviction, crime and addiction, crime and gender, or cyber threats and investigation.
The program is also offered on campus for students who do not need the flexibility of an online program.
Contact Information
- Address: 620 Chestnut St., Holmstedt Hall 210, Terre Haute, IN 47809
- Phone: 812-237-2192
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Indiana University Kokomo
About the School
Indiana University Kokomo indicates that the Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety program was designed for convenience.
Students who already work in criminal justice complete the flexible program without sacrificing quality.
The program features the Criminal Justice Concentration or the Public Safety Concentration.
Courses Offered
Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice often continue their education by completing a graduate degree.
The Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety prepares students to start their career or to advance their career after completing the 33-credit hour program.
Some courses in the program include Evolution of Criminal Thought and Policy, Public Safety in the U.S., Data Analysis in Criminal Justice, and Introduction to Research Methods. Elective courses include Courts and Criminal Justice, Violent Behavior, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, and Sentencing Theory and Practice.
Contact Information
- Address: 2300 S. Washington St., Kokomo, IN 46902
- Phone: 765-453-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
The median salary for a criminal justice specialist in the State of Indiana is $48,976.
Earning a degree in criminal justice can increase the salary of criminal justice professionals.
A person who holds a graduate degree is likely to earn more than a person who has an associate degree.
Criminal justice specialists who have several years of experience will likely earn more than criminal justice specialists who recently started their first criminal justice job.
The city where someone works affects their salary.
A person who works in criminal justice in Anderson, Indiana has a median salary of $46,610.
A criminal justice professional who works in Clarksburg has a median salary of $48,674.
Compare these salaries to Michigan City, Indiana, where the median salary for a criminal justice specialist is $49,140.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$55K |
|
$74K |
|
$82K |
Average Salary in Indiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $74,180 |
| Fort Wayne | $71,124 |
| Evansville | $72,058 |
| South Bend | $71,885 |
| Gary | $76,203 |
| Hammond | $76,203 |
| Bloomington | $70,226 |
| Muncie | $70,322 |
| Anderson | $70,597 |
| Terre Haute | $69,995 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 30 | $65,340 | $31.41 | $71,990 | $52,000 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 70 | $70,870 | $34.07 | $76,430 | $37,200 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 70 | $69,970 | $33.64 | $129,750 | $49,420 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 340 | $78,480 | $37.73 | $146,810 | $37,360 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 40 | $66,540 | $31.99 | $70,560 | $49,460 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 40 | $52,890 | $25.43 | $69,910 | $39,370 |
* 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
Choosing the right criminal justice school is crucial for laying the foundation for a successful career. These recommendations provide a solid starting point for prospective students.
I’m currently a student at one of these schools, and the faculty support and resources available for internships and networking opportunities have been invaluable.
It’s great to see such a diverse range of programs listed here. Whether you’re interested in law enforcement, corrections, or legal studies, there’s something for everyone.
As a law enforcement officer, I’ve worked with graduates from a couple of these schools. They’ve consistently shown a strong understanding of the field and practical skills.
I attended one of these schools and can vouch for the quality of education and preparation for a career in criminal justice.