Where to Study Criminal Justice in College?

Criminal justice is my top interest, but I'm not sure which colleges offer the best programs in this field. What schools should I focus on that provide strong placements and hands-on learning opportunities?

For a prospective Criminal Justice student, there are quite a few excellent universities and colleges renowned for their programs. Here are just a few to consider:

- University of Maryland (College Park) - The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland is one of the top-rated departments in the nation for this field, boasting a robust faculty with various research interests and a comprehensive curriculum.

- University of Cincinnati (UC) - UC is also known for having a strong Criminal Justice program, with a particular emphasis on research. Their School of Criminal Justice provides experiential learning opportunities and has a strong placement record.

- University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) - UMSL's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers hands-on learning experiences and an internship program with various criminal justice agencies to give its students practical understanding and application of their studies.

- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) - Though known for its Wharton Business School, UPenn’s criminology department also gets high marks. It's worth noting though, UPenn is Ivy League and extremely selective. Their Criminology program offers a unique blend of liberal arts and pre-professional education.

- Florida State University (FSU) - FSU's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice is renowned for its research on crime, delinquency, and social policy.

The best fit for you will depend on other factors in addition to the strength of the criminal justice program like location, student life, availability of financial aid and/or scholarships, and the school's overall environment. It's also worth considering if you have a specific interest within criminal justice you'd like to focus on, such as law enforcement or corrections, and see if the schools you're considering have strong programs in that area.

Also, don't forget to consider opportunities for internships or co-ops, as these are particularly useful in this field for hands-on learning and networking opportunities. Reach out to the career services offices at these universities to understand more about placement opportunities for criminal justice students.

Keep in mind, these are just a few examples and there are many other excellent criminal justice programs out there as well!