Criminal Justice Degree Schools » Criminal Justice Schools » Florida Criminal Justice Schools

Florida Criminal Justice Schools

  • 84 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Florida are in our database. (see below)
  • 36 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 23 of them offer bachelor’s degrees and above, 14 offer a mix of bachelor’s and master’s and 1 that offers up to a PHD
  • We found 4 schools in Florida ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program: #19 University of Florida–Gainesville, FL, #46 Florida State University–Tallahassee, FL, #97 University of Central Florida–Orlando, FL, and #100 University of South Florida–Tampa, FL
  • According to Kiplinger’s, Florida has 6 universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”, #8 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; #19 New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL; #31 Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; #57 University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL; #74 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; and #86 University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
  • 10 campus-based and online schools in Florida are available for requesting information.

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Rutgers University
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Earn your Master of Library & Information Science, Ed. M. in Learning, Cognition & Development, or Master of Arts for Teachers in Spanish. Learn more about these top-ranked programs.

Programs:

  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

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Profiles of Well Known Schools in Florida:

University of Central Florida: The University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The Department of Criminal Justice has two student organizations as well as an Honors Program in which undergraduates write and defend a thesis. The 23 full time faculty are well known experts in correctional health, police culture, corrections, victim services, and police-community relations. Additionally, the Department of Criminal Justice at UCF has its own extensive database of internship opportunities at local, county, state, and federal agencies. The Honors Internship Program links students to a paid internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Saint Leo University (Online): Saint Leo University Online has eight distinct criminal justice programs ranging from an Associate of Arts to a Graduate Certificate. The Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice is 60 credits hours while the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (with a Criminalistics, Homeland Security or no specialization) is 120 hours. The four Master of Science programs include the general graduate degree as well as Critical Incident Management and Forensic Science specializations, and the Criminal Justice Graduate Certificate is an 18 hour course of study. All online undergraduate criminal justice students are required to enroll in Introduction to Law and the Legal System, Survey of the Criminal Justice System, and Criminal Justice Ethics.

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Florida Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers 33,640 $39,070
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 5,130 $78,120
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 7,080 $71,060
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers 35,370 $56,290

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Florida Criminal Justice Degrees

Florida’s growing criminal justice sector is well served by institutions that offer traditional classroom, distance learning, or combination programs that can suit student’s needs and prepare individuals for success in the criminal justice field.

Although Florida does not directly border another country, it is nevertheless a major port of entry for international travelers which presents opportunities for border patrol agents. It also has a number of military installation with well over 100,000 personnel in-state. Finally, Florida is also home to a number of sites administered by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, including the Federal Correctional Center at Coleman which is in urgent need of individuals with criminal justice degrees to fill correctional officer positions. Florida’s population is projected to grow by almost 50% over the next 20 years, which is approximately triple the rate of the country as a whole and ranks #4 in the country for most violent crimes per capita.

Respected leaders who have graduated from universities in Florida

  • Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford – Florida State University, FL
  • Miami Chief of Police Manuel Orosa – Miami-Dade Community College, FL
  • Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee – University of Tampa, FL
  • Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti – Florida Atlantic University, FL
Police Quote: Know what success looks like. If you want to survive and succeed in this profession then research, study then emulate the behavior, character and style of law enforcement leaders who have been successful in each phase of their career. Then apply that practice to every aspect of your life. -Paul F. Sireci, Chief of Police of the Tampa International Airport Police Department and President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association

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Florida’s Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 6, 7, 8, 9

At the start of 2012, Florida’s unemployment has dropped back to 9.9%, which is only 1.4 points over the national average. According to USA Today / Moody’s Analytics, it should regain prior peak employment levels by mid 2014. The fall was significant there partly due to the property price collapse, but recovery even in construction is underway. Government related employment, which is a good proxy for Florida criminal justice jobs, has average-to-good prospects with prior peak employment levels reached by early 2014 but with steady hiring from late 2012. The Occupational Supply & Demand system projects good openings in Florida including Police and Sheriff Patrol (1,100 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Correctional Officers (780 annual openings / 60% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degrees), Detectives / Investigators / Forensic Techs (140 annual openings) and Paralegals (740 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degrees). According the to Sunshine report, Florida’s state budget is improved from 2009 but is still facing challenges in 2012 as expected tax revenues fall short and spending cuts persist. However, the sheer size of Florida’s criminal justice system means thousand of annual openings for qualified candidates due to hiring projections along with an aging workforce looking to retire. We suggest requesting free information from several Florida criminal schools to best understand your education options.

Online and Florida Criminal Justice Schools

If you live in Florida, we recommend the following accredited campus-based and online criminal justice programs for students interested in pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the growing field of criminal justice.

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University of Phoenix
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S in Criminal Justice Administration/Cybercrimes
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services

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Baker College Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Criminal Justice

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Capella University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS - Criminal Justice
  • PhD - Criminal Justice
  • BS - Criminal Justice

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Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Criminal Justice, BA
  • Criminal Justice, MA (Online Only)
  • Homeland Security, BA (Online)

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Walden University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice 
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

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Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS in Criminal Justice - Law
  • MS in Criminal Justice
  • BS in Criminal Justice

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Post University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

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Rutgers University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

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Liberty University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice

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Colorado Technical University Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Human Services
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice


Tip: If you don’t live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi).

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Student Review: “University of Phoenix was an excellent choice for continued education in my circumstance. The courses are conducted on-line and students from all over the United States are enrolled. The Website is designed to be user friendly and provides a stress free environment to collaborate with faculty and other students. All resources are easily accessible from the Website. Another major advantage is that the books are all online. This provides a significant cost advantage over a traditional university. My experience with school faculty was always positive and they seemed to be experts in their field. I highly recommend this university for any working adult who has self-discipline and is computer literate.” -Brian S., student at University of Phoenix

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Salary Information for Graduates in Florida

The average yearly salary of police and patrol officers in Florida is $55,840.1 The Florida Highway Patrol is a major employer of criminal justice professionals and offers a starting salary of either $33,977 or $38,977 (depending on area), 2 in addition to a generous benefit package. The Florida Department of Corrections is also hiring for a range of positions which include generous benefits.

Finally, many Florida cities are in need of assistance. The Orlando Police Department strongly prefers that applicants have a 2 or 4 year degree, and offers a post-training base salary of $41,978.3 The Miami Police Department offers a base salary of $45,929 4 after completion of the academy and offers generous benefits, as well. At the other end of the state, the Pensacola Police Department hires police officers with generous benefits and a base salary of $32,968.5

Directory of Florida Universities Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

Atlantic Technical Center (Coconut Creek, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Court Reporting

Bethune-Cookman College (Daytona Beach, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Brevard Community College (Cocoa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Technology
Certificate | Corrections Officer
Certificate | Public Safety Communications

Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Legal Office
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate in Arts | Forensic Science
Associate in Science | Crime Scene
Associate in Science | Criminal Justice
Associate in Science | Legal Assisting
Certificate | Broward County Correctional Probation Officer
Certificate | Broward County Police Academy

Brown Mackie College (Miami, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

City College (Casselberry, FL; Gainesville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Associate of Science | Private Investigation Services
Associate of Science | Private Investigation Specialist
Associate of Science | Private Investigative Services

College of Central Florida, Ocala Campus (Ocala, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Science | Paralegal

Daytona State College (Daytona Beach, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Paralegal Studies
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Edison State College (Fort Myers, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Technician
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences | Public Safety Administration
Certificate | Crime Scene Technician

Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Everest Institute (Hialeah, FL; Miami, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Investigations
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Everest University (Jacksonville, FL; Lakeland, FL; Largo, FL; Melbourne, FL; Orange Park, FL; Orlando, FL; Pompano Beach, FL; Tampa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate in Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Investigation
Associate of Science | Criminal Investigations
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Science | Homeland Security
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Homeland Security
Bachelor of Science | Paralegal
Masters of Science | Criminal Justice
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Tallahassee, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice

Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Public Management | Public Management

Student Review: “My experience at Florida Atlantic University was mostly positive. The professors were friendly and helpful in most cases. I majored in English and most of my classes were related to literature and history. Some of the professors were a little too strict and expected us to know more then we were required to based on the level of the course. Most, however, were very laid back and easy. Some professors took the easy way out and made the students assign test questions and exam content instead of taking the time to do it themselves. They said it would make us think more about the subject matter so we’d be teaching each other in the process. One of my gripes with the university is that they enforce a mandatory transportation fee in order to ‘access the campus’. I don’t drive a car, so I’m already having to pay the bus company for public transportation. I don’t think it’s very fair of them considering the school is public, and it’s located on main roads within the community. Since it’s public, I fail to see how they’re providing me ‘access’. It just feels like another nonsensical surcharge so the university can profit more. Overall, the school was accommodating and tuition was reasonable. I’d recommend Florida Atlantic University for an interesting, exciting experience.” -Adam A., student at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Forensic Studies
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Legal Studies
Master of Science | Criminal Forensic Studies
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice | Compliance Specialist

Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “The Florida Institute of Technology is definitely an interesting school. At around 14,600 undergrad and graduate students, it was small enough for a student needing assistance to get it, but big enough to not become boring. It is a school that requires a lot of you but pushes you to become a much better person. It is also a school showing a ton of improvement year to year. The first year I attended there was no wifi in the dorms and only the library and some of the school buildings had it. By my second year they spread the wifi to cover the entirety of campus based on the students’ requests. I personally went into the Engineering department which is a highly qualified department here at FIT, but there are also a lot who go into Business, Psychology, and other Sciences. Overall I highly recommend this school.” -Jessica K., student at Florida Institute of Technology

Florida International University (Miami, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Certificate | Forensic Science
Doctor of Philosophy | Chemistry and Biochemistry | Forensic Track
Doctor of Philosophy | Public Management | Criminal Justice Administration
Master of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Forensic Science

Student Review: “I went to Florida International University starting from 2008 to 2012. I joined a fraternity on campus. I had a good time attending classes and online classes. I started my time off badly with 1.89 GPA, but now pulled it up to 3.02 Cumulative GPA. We now have over 10,000 students attending classes on campus or online. One bad thing I want to say is the Fresh Food Company – I never go there at all. Maybe once in a blue moon. The food quality on campus at start was bad, but as time went by, it started getting better, with the additional Campus Station, and Moes, and Papa Johns. The classes themselves were a little tough from time to time, but mostly easy for me to understand. I also took some online classes and it really helped me a lot. I had an online class project that unexpectedly turned into a presentation to a group of people. So I will continue taking online classes. Some of my professors were very helpful, and some were just not helpful. I also got the Dean’s List last semester. I am glad I chose this university.” -Kirk S., student at Florida International University

Florida Keys Community College (Key West, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology | Corrections
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Criminal Justice Technology | Basic Law Enforcement Academy
Certificate | Criminal Justice Technology | Correction Basic Recruit Training Academy
Certificate | Crossover Correctional to Law Academy
Certificate | Crossover Law Enforcement to Correctional Academy
Certificate | Law Enforcement Auxiliary Officer Academy

Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminology

Florida National College (Hialeah, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Diploma | Legal Secretary

Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Paralegal Studies
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology (online program)
Bachelor of Applied Sciences | Public Safety Management
Technical Certificate | Computer Forensics Technician
Workforce Certificate | Correctional Officer
Workforce Certificate | Crossover: Corrections Officer to Law Enforcement Officer
Workforce Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer

Student Review: “I attended Florida State College at Jacksonville (or FCCJ before the name change) Kent Campus as a transient student, preferring the selective atmosphere and smaller class size than the one found at my university. I was pleasantly surprised. FSCJ always seemed like more than it was; it provided a complete college experience without the hangovers. My teachers were competent and really knew their stuff. The pace was slower than it was at my university, however I scraped by with a B and got outsmarted by other students daily, which shows that the quality of education was superb. I never ate at the food court so I can’t judge the food, however the library was always convenient and solitudinous. Kent Campus was located in the working class westside of Jacksonville, which always provided ample housing. Security was always nearby and crime was kept to a minimum, surprising given the amount of traffic and cars daily. Pound for pound, I enjoyed my time at FSCJ. It gave me a quality eduction, distilled of a lot of the distractions.” -Austin J., student at Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Computer Criminology
Combined BS/MS Program | Criminology
Doctor of Philosophy | Criminal Justice and Criminology
Joint Master’s Degree | Criminology and Public Administration
Joint Master’s Degree | Criminology and Social Work
Master of Arts | Criminology (online program)

Student Review: “My university has been a great place to live at and study. With the exception of the heat, nothing else is bad about it. The classes are fun and taught by interesting people, the girls are beautiful, and the athletic events are the greatest. Football games start on the first weekend of the fall semester and you and 80,000 of your friends all show up to support your team. Basketball normally starts about half-way through the fall semester and they are getting better every year. I just finished up a summer semester and I cannot wait for the fall semester to begin, there is nothing but good times with great people to be had. This place is a great place to study!” -Bob J., student at Florida State University

Florida Technical College (Jacksonville, FL; Orlando, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

George Stone Career Center (Pensacola, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Gulf Coast Community College (Panama City, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Crime Scene Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology: Correctional Management
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology: Law Enforcement
Associate of Arts | Criminology; Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Fire Science Technology
College Credit Certificate | Crime Scene Technician
Vocational Certificate | Correctional Officer
Vocational Certificate | Firefighting
Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement Auxiliary Officer
Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer
Vocational Certificate | Private Security Officer

Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
College Credit Certificate | Crime Scene
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate | Bail Bonding
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate | Correctional Officer
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement Auxiliary
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate | Private Investigation

Hodges University (Naples, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Indian River State College (Fort Pierce, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Corrections
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Security Officer Training

ITT Technical Institute (Fort Lauderdale, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Lake Mary, FL; Miami, FL; Pinellas Park, FL; Tampa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Information Systems Security

Student Review: “|ITT Technical Institute was not a very good experience for me. They touted themselves as being on the cutting edge of technology instruction, yet their textbooks were not industry certified textbooks. The books used were written by an Indian company and contained many technical, spelling and grammatical errors. Most of my instructors were knowledgeable, since they mainly worked in the industry, but the school administration was not interested in the students. Administration was only concerned about making sure they had your money. Speaking of money, ITT Tech is an insanely over-priced private institution. I racked up student loans that I will be paying on for the rest of my life. The only upside…the schedule. I was able to go to school while still maintaining my full-time position. However, I would not recommend ITT Technical Institute to anyone I cared about.” -Jerome S., student at ITT Technical Institute

Johnson & Wales University (North Miami, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Jones College (Jacksonville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science | Legal Assistant
Associate in Science | Legal Assistant (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Legal Assistant
Bachelor of Science | Legal Assistant (online program)

Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Technology
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Homeland Security
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies
Master of Arts | Criminal Justice
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Key College (Dania Beach, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Court Reporting
Certificate | Real Time Court Reporting

Lake City Community College (Lake City, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Certificate | Corrections
Certificate | Law Enforcement

Lake Technical Center (Eustis, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Corrections
Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement

Lake-Sumter Community College (Leesburg, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Office Administration: Legal Office Specialization
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology (Naples, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Fire Fighting

Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Emergency Planning and Administration
Certificate | Emergency and Disaster Management
Master of Science in Administration | Criminal Justice Administration (online program)
Master of Science in Administration | Emergency Planning and Administration

Manatee Technical Institute (Bradenton, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Law Enforcement (Basic Recruit)
Certificate | Law Enforcement (Crossover from Corrections)

Miami Dade College (Miami, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Basic Law Enforcement
Associate of Science | Court Reporting Technology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology: Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Public Safety

Student Review: “Miami Dade College is a great place for commuter and international students. They have about 5-6 different locations all over the city. They have all kinds of degrees, including an aviation program at Tamiami Airport, which is neat. There is an even mix of good and bad professors, like most places, but they are quite experienced nonetheless and even write their own textbooks. The only drawback is that, as located within an urban area, the school gets overwhelmed with students and sometimes its hard to find library space or time with an advisement counselor.” -Michael O., student at Miami Dade College

Mid Florida Tech (Orlando, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Private Security Officer

North Florida Community College (Madison, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Officer Administration
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice and Sociology
Certificate | Public Safety

North Florida Institute (Orange Park, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

Northwest Florida State College (Niceville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Emergency Administration and Management
Vocational Certificate | Corrections
Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement

Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “I began studying at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) via their online marine science program in 2009. At the time, I was working a FT job and did not live in Fort Lauderdale. After taking one class online, I decided to move to Ft. Lauderdale and begin taking full time classes. Looking back, I would choose another school because I do not think this school is challenging enough. I was in the Master’s Program and I never felt that I was really being challenged. Most of the online classes are mundane because the professors use the same content over and over. Most of them do not update their information. If I had it to do over again I would not choose NSU. The academic challenge is not comparable to the cost of attendance. Low challenge and high cost.” -Ashley L., student at Nova Southeastern University

Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Technology
Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice | Non-Sworn Track
Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology | Corrections
Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Basic Law Enforcement Officer Track
Certificate | Corrections Officer Track
College Credit Certificate | Crime Scene Technology

Pasco-Hernando Community College (New Port Richey, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Technical Certificate | Correctional Officer
Technical Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer

Pensacola State College (Pensacola, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Paralegal Studies

Polk State College (Winter Haven, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Diploma | Corrections
Diploma | Probation

Rasmussen College (Fort Myers, FL; Holiday, FL; Ocala, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Corrections (online program)
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate Degree | Forensics (online program)
Associate Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Office Management: Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Corrections (online program)
Associate of Science | Crime Scene Evidence (online program)
Associate of Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Corrections (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Client Services/Corrections (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Offenders (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Investigations/Law Enforcement (online program)

Remington College (Tampa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

Saint Leo University (Saint Leo, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Homeland Security (online program)
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Masters Degree | Forensics (online program)

Saint Thomas University (Miami Gardens, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Homeland Security & Terrorism Control
Grad. Certificate | Justice Administration

Santa Fe Community College (Gainesville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Police Supervision

Sarasota County Technical Institute (Sarasota, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Corrections Officer
Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer

Seminole State College of Florida (Sanford, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice Studies
Associate in Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Vocational Certificate | Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer
Vocational Certificate | Correctional Officer Cross-over to Florida CMS Law Enforcement Basic Recruit
Vocational Certificate | Florida CMS Law Enforcement Basic Recruit
Vocational Certificate | Traditional Correctional Basic Recruit Training Program

Student Review: “Before attending Seminole State College of Florida, I had a hard time with a number of issues and it resulted in me dropping out high school and obtaining my G.E.D certificate. However, since enrolling in to Seminole State College of Florida, the excellent professors there were able to give me the guidance necessary to do really well. Seminole State College of Florida set the course for me to achieve a higher education for myself, and even dramatically improved my study habits immediately upon enrolling. The professors and staff members are very patient and understanding of my needs, and are always easily accessible through set office hours. Graduates of Seminole State College of Florida are given the ability to pursue higher degrees at a state university, allowing me the opportunity to strive for more in my academic career. With a constantly growing campus, one can always make new friends but without the feeling of being overly crowded. This allows for a perfect academic environment to study and learn in.” -Long T., student at Seminole State College of Florida

South Florida Community College (Avon Park, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Occupational Certificate | Correctional Officer
Occupational Certificate | Law Enforcement (Basic)
Occupational Certificate | Law Enforcement Auxiliary Officer

Student Review: “South Florida State College is a great school. I completed the Criminal Justice program and am highly satisfied. What I like most about South Florida State College is that the class sizes are small. There would be no more than twenty to thirty students in a class. This was beneficial for me as I was able to have a lot of personal attention from my professors. I was also able to benefit from listening to some of our local law enforcement officers as guest speakers. South Florida also set me up with internships at the local Department of Corrections office and our career center also helped me find employment opportunities. Another positive feature of South Florida State College is that they have four different campuses which make it easier for students who live in various parts of the county. They also offer a lot of classes online. I was able to learn at my own pace and my professors were readily available when I had a question. I honestly cannot say a bad thing about South Florida as it was a great college to attend.” -Shawn S., student South Florida State College

South University (West Palm Beach, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

Student Review: “My experience at South University was mixed. My admissions advisor was fantastic; she made sure to fully explain each detail and was available each time that I needed assistance. She also took the time to provide me with advice about my career goals and make realistic decisions to get there. The financial aid department was also fantastic, making sure to assist me with a payment plan when applicable. The issue I had was with academic advising and career services. Academics seemed confused about their role and ability to help me, and they bounced me around so many times I never knew who my advisor was. When I graduated, it took career services over 4 months to contact me for assistance after putting in a request. It seems that this school, like most other for-profit schools, care more about the front end service (getting you into school) than the back end (helping you successfully complete your degree and find employment).” -Kali G., student at South University

Southwest Florida College (Fort Myers, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Diploma | Crime Scene Investigation

St. John’s River Community College (Palatka, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice Technology
Master of Science | Criminology & Criminal Justice
Vocational Certificate | Correctional Officer | Crossover from Law Enforcement
Vocational Certificate | Corrections Officer
Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer
Vocational Certificate | Law Enforcement Officer | Crossover from Correctional Officer

St. Petersburg College (Clearwater, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Studies
Associate of Science | Fire and Emergency Studies
Associate of Science | Forensic Science
Bachelor of Applied Science | Public Safety Administration
Certificate | Computer Related Crime Investigation
Certificate | Crime Scene Technology
Certificate | Emergency Administration and Management
Certificate | Fire Inspector 1
Certificate | Fire Inspector 2
Certificate | Fire Investigator
Certificate | Fire Officer I
Certificate | Fire Officer II
Certificate | Gang Investigations
Certificate | Homeland Security
Post Baccalaureate Certificate | Gangs Enforcement Management

State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota (Bradenton, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Paralegal/Legal Assisting
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Applied Science | Public Safety Administration; Homeland Security
Technical Certificate | Paralegal/Legal Assisting

Student Review: “State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota is a small community college located in Manatee County, Florida. It has a extremely small campus. There is not a lot of social life available on campus considering they do not have any dorm rooms. They have a great baseball and volleyball team but that is basically all the decent sports teams. The professors are moderately knowledgeable. Some are very bad though. Make sure you ask around about professors before signing up for that professor’s class. The library is okay. It is pretty old and should be updated. Overall, I was just slightly satisfied with SCF. It is a great school if you want a cheap way to get your AA degree but a not so great of a school for pretty much everything else.” -Derek O., student at State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota

Stenotype Institute (Jacksonville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Basic Machine Shorthand
Diploma | Basic Machine Shorthand

Tallahassee Community College (Tallahassee, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate in Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate in Science | Paralegal and Legal Studies
Certificate | Correctional Officer
Certificate | Law Enforcement
Certificate | Probation Officer
College Credit Certificate | Crime Scene Investigation
College Credit Certificate | Law Enforcement & Corrections

Technical Education Center-Osceola (Kissimmee, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certification | Correctional Officer
Certification | Correctional Probation Officer
Certification | Crossover: Corrections Officer to Law Enforcement Officer
Certification | Law Enforcement Officer

The University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice/Social Work
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies
Bachelors-to-Masters fast track program | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Minor | Forensic Accounting
Minor | Forensic Studies (online program)
Minor | Juvenile Justice

University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Legal Studies
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Legal Studies
Certificate | Corrections Leadership
Certificate | Crime Analysis
Certificate | Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping
Certificate | Crime Scene Investigation
Certificate | Criminal Profiling
Certificate | Emergency Management
Certificate | Juvenile Justice Leadership
Certificate | Police Leadership
Certificate | Security Management
Certificate | Victim Advocacy
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Minor | Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Student Review: “I am in my last year at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and can confidently say that I had a great experience there. When I chose this school, a lot of people warned me that I might be overwhelmed or lost in the crowd at such a populous university, but that wasn’t the case at all. The hustle and bustle is exciting, and once you complete your general education courses class sizes minimize significantly. Most professors I have had are very good at being accessible to their students after or before class or in scheduled office hours. I also highly recommend the Honors in the Major program, which has allowed me to enroll in graduate courses as an undergraduate and work on a thesis. Minor dislikes include a lack of healthy and cheap food options on campus, the tons of butter and grease in the meal plan options for the one year I had one, and the worst tasting tap water I’ve ever had in my life – undrinkable. If you are in one of these somewhat neglected fields, you’ll have to work to be at the top of the program in order to be on the same playing field as other students applying for graduate school.” -Alise V., student at University of Central Florida
Student Review: “The general education classes are overcrowded and often taught by teachers who don’t care or try. Working with the administration for scheduling and financial aid is quite possibly the most obnoxious thing I’ve ever had to deal with. However, I’ve heard good things about the engineering and pre-med majors at UCF.” -Rebecca G., student at University of Central Florida

University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminology & Law
M.A./J.D. | Criminology, Law, and Society
Master of Arts | Criminology, Law, and Society
PhD | Criminology, Law, and Society

Student Review: “The Criminology department at the University of Florida offers a wide array of useful resources in conjunction with a large selection of classes. The professors were always extremely engaging, and offered several opportunities to interact with local law enforcement officials as a means of improving our experience. This included ride-alongs with the Gainesville Police Department, lectures from Florida government officials, and conversations with staff from the District 8 Medical Examiner’s Office. Office hours are held by all teachers and teaching assistants, often multiple days a week. Online courses are well organized and engaging. Several courses are taught by the staff of the C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory, who offer outstanding opportunities to become involved with forensics. Forensic classes involve intensive tactile learning with skeletal remains. My experience has been nothing short of extraordinary.” -Rachel U., student at University of Florida
Student Review: “I have had the privilege of attending the University of Florida for both undergraduate and starting this fall, I will be attending law school here. The greatest thing about the University of Florida is the sense of community it has. Alumni are always willing to help with internships, jobs or just generally giving advice. Additionally the university as a whole has a great balance between academic prestige and enjoyment which teaches students the social skills they need to progress in life without sacrificing the quality of education that other schools sometimes do. Overall, my experience as a gator has been a great one.” -James F., student at University of Florida
Student Review: “The University of Florida provided me with excellent opportunities. Although it was easy to get turned into a mere number rather than a person at a university of tens of thousands of students, I was able to find my niche within the campus. The language program for my minor of Arabic Language and Literature was a very tight-knit community of students who were able to learn and grow together throughout the four-years of language study. Once I reached upper-division courses, classroom size became much smaller and this allowed for better discussion between classmates and professors. The flexibility of upper division schedules at the University of Florida provide students with an opportunity to learn more specific information that is tailored to the careers that they are pursuing. These smaller classes also foster professional and personal relationships between students and professors that prove beneficial in the pursuit of future graduate studies or career opportunities. I thoroughly enjoyed my years at the University of Florida and am thankful for the doors that the University has opened for me.” -Brittney B., student at University of Florida

University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “The four year BA degree Criminal Justice program at the University of North Florida is a decent program. Most of the instructors are retired law inforcement officers, so they are very knowledgable in the subject area. They also have a lot of connections within the community for additional learning opportunities. About half of the classes in the program can be completed online. The program does require that you select a minor from any area, so keep that in mind when registering for classes and electives. There is also a final unpaid intership required at a criminal-justice related facilty. The internship is generally in the last semester before graduation, and requires a minimum of 180 hours. While the school staff will assist you in placement, it is ultimately up to the student to secure an internship site. Overall good program.” -Rebecca H., student at University of North Florida

University of Phoenix (Maitland, FL; Plantation, FL; Temple Terrace, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Organizational Security and Management
Bachelor of Science | Organizational Security and Management (online program)
Master of Science | Administration of Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Administration of Justice and Security
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Student Review: “The University of Phoenix was a decent learning experience, the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The course curriculum was a tad disappointing, often feeling as if it was just skimming the basics of each course enough for one to be able to pass said course. Most of the assignments were mundane simply requiring you to look up information in the text books and give your opinion on the subject. It’s a great opportunity to those with tight schedules, but for those who want to really take in information and learn I would not recommend it.” – Jonathan G., student at University of Phoenix

University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminology
Doctor of Philosophy | Criminology
Graduate Certificate | Criminal Justice Administration
Master of Arts | Criminal Justice Administration
Master of Arts | Criminology

Student Review:“The University of South Florida is truly an underappreciated school. At 45,000+ students, it’s one of the largest universities in the country. It has many initiatives for undergrads to get involved in school activities and a strong sports program that has seen it’s teams nationally ranked. As far as research, it has several shining spots, including its health department and computer science, which is the #1 ranked computer science program in the state. The campus itself is very pretty, lots of green, lots of quiet places to sit outside on benches and relax in the nice Florida sun. The student center has been recently remodeled and is now a very nice building with a food court featuring several restaurants, an upscale buffet, several study rooms, and a movie theater.” -Joshua Finnis, student at University of South Florida
Student Review: “Attending the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee–one of three branch campuses of the University system was, in fact, one of the best experiences of my life. Although smaller than the main campus in Tampa, the Sarasota-Manatee campus was a perfect size for both staff and students. Furthermore, it was a great place to meet friends and the staff were very helpful whenever I was in need. The faculty were outstanding and were extremely knowledgeable in their fields of study–this was evident in each class I took in various departments. Nevertheless, as a smaller campus, parking would seem to be adequate yet in fact, it was impossible to find a space before classes began. The campus, moreover, shared a library with a contiguous university which was daunting during final exams week but overall was a great source for research and studying. From 2009 to 2012, the professors I worked with were superb in their areas of expertise and offered unending help whenever I had questions or needed further assistance in the course, research skills, or writing. For a smaller campus, the faculty to student ratio was perfect which in turn created a sense of an academic family. As a history major, the history program was fantastic but USF’s history department is not the only department worthy of respect. For example, the engineering and business schools, and especially the medical fields of study are ranked in the top ten nationally for research, and internationally for its ever-expanding high-tech research and faculty publications. As a recent graduate and now a USF alumni, I can call USF home and am extremely proud to be a graduate of the University of South Florida.” -Joshua D., student at University of South Florida

Valencia Community College (Orlando, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice Technology
Certificate | Academy of Criminal Justice

Virginia College (Pensacola, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Masters Degree | Criminal Justice (online program)

Washington-Holmes Technical Center (Chipley, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Corrections

Withlacoochee Technical Institute (Inverness, FL)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Fingerprinting

References:
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_FL.htm
(2) Florida Highway Patrol: http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/Career/SalaryBenefits.htm
(3) City of Orlando: http://www.cityoforlando.net/police/misc/recruiting.htm#Salaries
(4) Miami Police Department: http://www.miami-police.org/wages_benefits.html
(5) Pensacola Police Department: http://www.pensacolapolice.com/details.asp?pID=2484
(6) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/ see state on page for current unemployment rate
(7) USA TODAY/Moody’s Analytics/BLS: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-06-new-jobs-growth-graphic_N.htm
(8) Occupational Supply & Demand System / OCDS Georgia State University for the U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=2&ST=ZZ
(9) The Sunshine Review: http://sunshinereview.org/core/home (select state budget button)

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.