School Level Program Admissions

Maryville University

Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Website

California State University San Marcos

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies Website

University of Texas Permian Basin

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies Website

Utica University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Website

Campbellsville University

Associate AS in Criminal Justice Administration Website

Concordia University - Saint Paul

Bachelor BA in Criminal Justice Website

Michigan State University

Master Online MS in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation Website

University of Texas Permian Basin

Master Online MS in Criminal Justice Administration Website

Aurora University

Bachelor Online BA in Criminal Justice Website

Campbellsville University

Bachelor BS in Criminal Justice Administration Website
i sponsored programs

View more online criminal justice programs currently accepting applications.

There are over 90+ schools offering criminal justice degrees in Pennsylvania of which over 30 offer associate has degrees or certificate programs (the rest being Bachelor has, Master has, or other varying degrees).

Penn State has Department of Sociology and Criminology decided to change the name of their criminal justice program from Criminology to Crime, Law, and Justice to better reflect the content of our program. This is just one small example but future criminology students will want to do their due diligence when looking at these programs.

Some other relevant population statistics for potential students to consider in the state of Pennsylvania:

  • 2013 population estimate: 12.7 million
  • Persons under the age of 18 years old: 21.3 percent
  • Persons with high school graduate level or higher: 88.3 percent
  • Persons with a bachelor has degree levle or higher: 27 percent

Those US census statistics also show that the average percentage of persons with a bachelor has degree for the entire nation is at 28.5 percent which highlights the importance of a higher level degree to set yourself apart in the job place.

Criminology Justice Education in Pennsylvania Details

Pennsylvania is the sixth most populated state in the US and offers a variety of different degree options for those seeking criminal justice degree. You can pursue a degree from a traditional non-profit brick and mortar institution or you can also get your criminology degree online from numerous colleges as well. The University of Pennsylvania Department of Criminology defines criminology as the scientific study of the causes and prevention of criminal behavior, informed by normative, legal and philosophical perspectives on scientifically established facts. While that definition of criminology provides general insight into what students might be studying, you should also look at the different degree paths within criminal justice. You can choose to get a traditional undergraduate degree in criminology and expect classes like Crime and Human Development or you can choose to get a law degree and become a part of the criminal justice industry through the court system. There are numerous academic paths for you to choose as a future student.

Pennsylvania Criminology Organizations and Resources

While we try to offer as much insight and data into the criminology education path, we know that there are always unique rules and regulations with each state. We have provided a few specific organizations and sites for you to look at when considering gaining your criminal justice degree in Pennsylvania.

Reaching out to people within these organizations can make a world of difference. You might find out that there are certain state specific requirements for the degree you’re considering or you might find one of these people can be a future job contact. Whatever the outcome is, reaching out to working professionals in the criminal justice industry can be helpful for years to come.

Pennsylvania Criminal Justice Careers

Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania with a population over 1.5 million people. As the next biggest city is Pittsburgh at just over 300,000 people, it shouldn hat come as a surprise that Philadelphia has a sizeable law enforcement industry. According to the Philadelphia Police Department website, starting salaries of those that join the police force average $45,060 and require 1,245 hours of police academy training. While this is just one city in the state of Pennsylvania, it can give you a glimpse of the initial requirements a lot of the local police departments will require. There is also a current cooperation occurring between Pennsylvania state, county, and local agencies called the Central Booking project that is aiming to gear new technology toward fingerprinting, identification, and record management. The project was launched by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association should help in the criminal justice process system for the state of Pennsylvania and the project has already created over 200 booking facilities that more accurately identify offenders upon arrest. As somebody interested in looking at criminal justice jobs in Pennsylvania, you can see there are projects statewide and things going on at the city level like in Philadelphia, PA.

Criminal Justice Jobs in Pennsylvania

As a person interested in a career field within the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania, it will be imperative that you identify the areas of opportunity at the state, county, municipal, regional and even university level. It will help to insure that you are lining up the direction of your career with your desired role in the criminology field. Below are some estimated number of law enforcement agencies in the state of Pennsylvania:

  • 13+ state agencies (including the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections)
  • 60+ county agencies (numerous sheriffs ha departments)
  • 180+ municipal agencies
  • 18+ regional police agencies (includes Pennridge Regional Police Department)
  • 19+ campus law enforcement agencies (includes Penn State University Police Department)
  • 12+ other agencies (includes Amtrak Police)

While Philadelphia might have a large population, these numbers include all cities within Pennsylvania like Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Erie.

Pennsylvania Criminology Career Outlook

We pulled the latest ONET state statistics on Pennsylvania and saw that there is currently a median salary of $59,800 which is slightly higher than the US median average of $56,100 for police and sheriff patrol officers. A very important estimated statistic that ONET also provides is what the expected growth for this particular law enforcement position will be when looking from 2010 to 2020. The US median percentage of growth is at 6 percent whereas Pennsylvania is expected to see a -2 percent decline. A lot can happen but at this point, things do not bode well for this particular law enforcement position. There are a lot of other criminal justice careers outside of patrol officers and you will want to also do research on the expected growth and median salary of those positions (like a corrections officer or in forensics). You will also want to look at the specific training that is required as each state varies with Pennsylvania looking at 80 hours of instruction, a basic firearms course is 40 hours, and continuing education for constables consist of 20 hour instructional. This is just sampling of what they have on their site though and you can read more at their Pennsylvania government page.

List of Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania

School Level Program Admissions

Maryville University

Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Website

California State University San Marcos

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies Website

University of Texas Permian Basin

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies Website

Utica University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Website

Campbellsville University

Associate AS in Criminal Justice Administration Website

Concordia University - Saint Paul

Bachelor BA in Criminal Justice Website

Michigan State University

Master Online MS in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation Website

University of Texas Permian Basin

Master Online MS in Criminal Justice Administration Website

Aurora University

Bachelor Online BA in Criminal Justice Website

Campbellsville University

Bachelor BS in Criminal Justice Administration Website

Campbellsville University

Master MS in Justice Studies: Criminology Track Website

Campbellsville University

Master MS in Justice Studies: Public Services Leadership and Social Justice Track Website

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Master Master of Science in Cyber and Homeland Security Website

Utica University

Bachelor Bachelor's in Criminal Intelligence Analysis Website

Utica University

Bachelor BS in Criminal Justice - Cyber Criminology and Policy Website
i sponsored programs

View more online criminal justice programs currently accepting applications.

All Criminal Justice Programs

See below for the list of all of the Criminal Justice in Pennsylvania. Find the best program for you online or in Pennsylvania.

Arcadia University

Glenside PA
  • M.S. in Forensic Science

Berks Technical Institute

Wyomissing PA
  • Associates of Criminal Justice

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Bucks County Community College

Newtown PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice

California University of Pennsylvania

California PA
  • M.S. in Legal Studies - Criminal Justice Online

Cedar Crest College

Allentown PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice
  • Bachelors of Forensic Science
  • M.S. in Forensic Science

Central Penn College

Summerdale PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice Online
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration Online

Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Community College of Allegheny County

Pittsburgh PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Forensics
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

Community College of Beaver County

Monaca PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • Homeland Security Certificate

Delaware County Community College

Media PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice

Delaware Valley College

Doylestown PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice Administration

DeSales University

Center Valley PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice - Administration
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice - Intelligence
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice - Pre Law
  • B.A. In Criminal Justice - Rehabilitation

Drexel University

Philadelphia PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Online

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh PA
  • M.S. in Forensic Science and Law

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Fortis Institute-Erie

Erie PA
  • Criminal Justice Certificate

Fortis Institute-Forty Fort

Forty Fort PA
  • Criminal Justice Certificate

Gannon University

Erie PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Gwynedd Mercy College

Gwynedd Valley PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice
  • Municipal Police Officer Certification

Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg

Harrisburg PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • A.A. in Police Science
  • Corrections Certificate
  • Police Science Certificate

Holy Family University

Philadelphia PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • M.A. in Criminal Justice

Keystone College

La Plume PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

King's College

Wilkes-Barre PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Paralegal Studies

La Roche College

Pittsburgh PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

La Salle University

Philadelphia PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice

Lackawanna College

Scranton PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice

Lansdale School of Business

North Wales PA
  • Criminal Justice Diploma

Lehigh Carbon Community College

Schnecksville PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice Administration
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
  • Corrections Certificate
  • Law Enforcement Certificate

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Lincoln University PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Lycoming College

Williamsport PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminology
  • B.A. in Criminology

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration

Marywood University

Scranton PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice

Mercyhurst College

Erie PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Corrections
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Pre-Law
  • Graduate Certificate in Administration of Justice
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice

Messiah College

Mechanicsburg PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Montgomery County Community College-Central Campus

Blue Bell PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice Online
  • Municipal Police Basic Training

Neumann University

Aston PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Northampton County Area Community College

Bethlehem PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Johnstown PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington

Abington PA
  • B.A. in Administration of Justice
  • B.S. in Administration of Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Altoona PA
  • Associates of Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Erie PA
  • Crime Psychology and Public Policy Certificate

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly Campus

Lemont Furnace PA
  • B.A. in Administration of Justice
  • B.S. in Administration of Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • M.A. in Criminal Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill

Schuylkill Haven PA
  • B.A. in Administration of Justice
  • B.S. in Administration of Justice

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State University Park

University Park PA
  • B.S. in Forensic Science
  • Masters of Forensic Science

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Lehman PA
  • B.A. in Administration of Justice
  • B.S. in Administration of Justice

Point Park Universit

Pittsburgh PA
  • Accelerated B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration

Reading Area Community College

Reading PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

Rosemont College

Rosemont PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Saint Francis University

Loretto PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

Seton Hill University

Greensburg PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • M.S.in Administration of Justice

South Hills School of Business & Technology

State College PA
  • A.S.B. in Criminal Justice

Strayer University-Pennsylvania

Trevose PA
  • A.A in Criminal Justice Online
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics Online
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration Online
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management Online
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Technology
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Technology Online

Temple University

Philadelphia PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

Thiel College

Greenville PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice Studies

Thompson Institute

Philadelphia PA
  • Associate of Specialized Technology in Criminal Justice

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Bradford PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

University of Scranton

Scranton PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling - Criminal Justice

Valley Forge Military College

Wayne PA
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice

Villanova University

Villanova PA
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester PA
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice

Westmoreland County Community College

Youngwood PA
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Information Security
  • Corrections Officer Certificate

Widener University-Main Campus

Chester PA
  • Bachelors of Criminal Justice
  • Masters of Criminal Justice

York College Pennsylvania

York PA
  • A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

YTI Career Institute-Altoona

Altoona PA
  • Associate in Specialized Business of Criminal Justice & First Response

YTI Career Institute-Capital Region

Mechanicsburg PA
  • Associate in Specialized Business of Criminal Justice & First Response

Still Looking for a Criminal Justice Program?

Below are some of the top criminal justice degree writeups. You can review the program page, or schools by state to find detailed information about the degree or career.