Maine Criminal Justice Schools

  • 7 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Maine are in our database. (see below)
  • 1 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 5 of them offer bachelor’s degrees and above, and 1 offer a mix of bachelor’s and master’s
  • We found no schools in Maine ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program; #89 University of Louisville–Louisville, KY
  • According to Kiplinger’s, Maine has no universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”
  • 10 campus-based and online schools in Maine are available for requesting information.

Spotlight School

Kaplan University

Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education. Eligible students can receive college credit for prior military experience and coursework—up to 75 percent of the credit needed for a Kaplan University undergraduate degree.*

Programs:

  • MS in Criminal Justice - Law
  • MS in Criminal Justice
  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • And more...

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Profiles of Well Known Schools in Maine

University of Southern Maine: The Criminology Department at the University of Southern Maine offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Minor in Criminology. The faculty all have extensive professional experience in the areas of gender, comparative analysis and criminological theory and have conducted field research in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Yugoslavia. The school has a long standing internship program through which students are guided through by the internship coordinator. Required courses include Introduction to Criminology, White-Collar Crime and Criminological Theory, while elective courses cover everything from Comparative Criminology to The Death Penalty. Students that are interested in a law focus can take advantage of the Volunteer Lawyers Project Internship in which they assist with courthouse operations and review case files.

University of Maine: The Department of Public Administration at the University of Maine has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management with a Criminal Justice Administration Concentration. This course of study involves a combination of public administration, political science, sociology, and economics courses. The department has a series of selected research projects that fall under the categories of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Economics and Community Development, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Ethics and Public Service, Organization Processes and Behavior, and finally Workforce. Those looking to gain valuable experience can enroll in the Presidential Management Internship Program at the US Office of Personnel Management through the Department of Public Administration.

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Maine Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers 1,050 $33,060
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 340 $62,080
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 570 $64,470
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers 2,050 $40,690

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

Police Quote: “Continue your education and the development of you police skills. Be open and flexible, think and grow. Develop a life and friends outside of police – it will keep you sane. I would also add what my first training officer told me: “Remember, Couper, everything that was illegal and wrong before you put on a badge will still be illegal and wrong.” -Chief David Couper

Respected leaders who have graduated from universities in Maine

  • Senator Olympia Snowe – University of Maine, Orono, ME
  • Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice, Leigh Saufley – University of Maine, Orono, ME
  • Former Governor of Maine, John Baldacci – University of Maine, Orono, ME
  • Maine House of Representatives Minority Leader, Emily Cain – University of Maine, Orono, ME

Maine Criminal Justice Degrees

Although Maine has no federal correctional institutions, it does have both a large border with Canada as well as a large coastline and a number of airports. Because of this, positions are frequently available with Federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, Border Patrol and INS. In addition to Federal positions, private industry has a need for positions in fields such as insurance fraud investigation and paralegal.

The state of Maine is also seeking qualified individuals for criminal justice positions. The Maine State Police offers a $0.31 per hour 1 stipend for Bachelor’s degree holders which is in addition to generous benefits as well as a base salary of $36,753.60 per year.1 Maine’s award winning Department of Corrections is currently recruiting for a number of positions, including correctional officers.

City police work is also available in the state of Maine such as in Bangor, Maine. Applicants with the Bangor Police are required to have earned either a two-year criminal justice degree, or a four-year degree in any field. Portland offers a base salary of $35,797 2 in the first year, coupled with generous benefits, and will waive their experience requirement for individuals with college coursework completed. The average annual salary for patrol and police officers working in Maine is $39,910.3

Given Maine’s non-centralized population some students will find it difficult to take advantage of the myriad of classroom-based criminal justice programs in the state. Fortunately, a number of internet based degree providers serve Maine’s students. These online schools offer criminal justice programs at all levels which can be completed entirely through the internet, making it possible for rural students to earn their degrees.

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Maine’s Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 4, 5, 6, 7

At the start of 2012, Maine’s unemployment stands at 7.0%, well below the national average of 8.5%, and it should regain prior peak employment levels by early 2014. Government related employment, which is a good proxy for Maine criminal justice jobs, has average to below average prospects with prior peak employment levels reached by mid 2015. The Maine Department of Labor site and the Occupational Supply & Demand System show relatively strong prospects are noted for Police and Sheriff Patrol (60 openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degrees), Correctional Officers (30 annual openings / 60% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Detectives / Investigators / Forensic Techs (15 annual openings), Security Guards (50 annual openings) and Paralegals (30 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree). According to the Sunshine Review, Maine’s government budget woes are depressing hiring in the government related areas including some criminal justice careers. We suggest requesting free information from several Maine criminal schools to best understand your education options.

Online and Maine Criminal Justice Schools

To earn a criminal justice degree in Maine, 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

request information

Baker College Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Criminal Justice

request information

Capella University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

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

request information

Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

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

request information

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

request information

Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

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

request information

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

request information

Liberty University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice

request information

Rutgers University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

request information

Grand Canyon University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies
  • B.S. in Justice Studies
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement


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 (New Hampshire).

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Directory of Maine Universities Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

Husson University (Bangor, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Dual Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice and Psychology
Master of Science | Criminal Justice Administration

Kaplan University (S Portland, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (Standish, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)

Southern Maine Community College (South Portland, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Thomas College (Waterville, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Psychology

University of Maine at Augusta (Augusta, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Justice Studies
Bachelor of Science | Justice Studies
Certificate | Forensic Science

Student Review: “The University of Maine at Augusta has a great program for non-traditional students. They have a variety of degrees that can be taken online or through Interactive Television Services (ITV). These classes are offered throughout the state of Maine at local higher education centers and ITV locations. They also have classes available at their Augusta campus. For students close by they have the Jewett concert series and the Danforth Gallery. There is also a campus in Bangor that has theatrical performances. The instructors are used to working with non-traditional students and tend to be very flexible. I am enjoying getting my degree with the flexibility to take care of my family and watch classes when it is convenient to me. Overall a wonderful place to get your degree!” -Melony L., student at University of Maine at Augusta

University of Maine at Presque Isle (Presque Isle, ME)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

References:
(1) Maine State Police: http://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/jobs/trooper_recruitment.html
(2) Portland Police Department: http://www.portland-police.com/pdf/goodpay.pdf
(3) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ME.htm
(4) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/ see state on page for current unemployment rate
(5) USA TODAY/Moody’s Analytics/BLS: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-06-new-jobs-growth-graphic_N.htm
(6) 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
(7) The Sunshine Review: http://sunshinereview.org/core/home (select state budget button)

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.