Dream schools for Criminal Justice college applications?

Hey all! My passion is criminal justice, and I'm currently finding schools to apply to for my undergrad. Could you drop a few of the top schools for criminal justice? What makes their program stand out?

There are quite a few excellent colleges well-known for strong Criminal Justice programs where students can immerse themselves deeply in the study of law enforcement, corrections, and the criminal court system.

1. Northeastern University - The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, is highly rated and deeply involved in the field, with faculty members having real-world criminal justice experience who can provide valuable insights to students. Their program emphasizes experiential learning with co-op opportunities in local and international organizations.

2. University of Maryland - College Park - Their Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is one of the nation's top-ranked programs. Its proximity to Washington D.C. provides unique internship opportunities in various state and federal agencies.

3. University of Cincinnati - The School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati is highly regarded for its research contributions. The school's research centers give students excellent research opportunities and faculty are industry leaders.

4. Florida State University - The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice is one of the oldest and most prestigious programs in the nation. The college is known for its ground-breaking research and is top-rated for online graduate education.

5. University of Pennsylvania - Although UPenn doesn't offer a criminal justice major, it provides a criminology major through its excellent Department of Criminology. The program is research-intensive and delivers a thorough, sociological understanding of crime and its correlates.

6. Pennsylvania State University - The Department of Criminology and Sociology at Penn State is widely recognized for its research and interdisciplinary approach. It offers the chance to study abroad and gain a global perspective on crime and justice.

Each program is unique in its focus, approach, and opportunities, which allow students to specialize in areas that most interest them. As you research each program, consider the school's faculty, practicum and internship opportunities, job placement rates, and the overall culture of the school and program. This ensures it aligns with your personal goals in criminal justice.