What Colleges Offer Criminal Justice Degrees in Washington, DC?

Are you interested in exploring the criminal justice degree program options in the Washington, DC area? This article takes a look at four private colleges that offer programs to assist you in your research.

What You Need to Know

In the Washington, DC area, students may choose to earn a bachelor's or a master's degree in the field of criminal justice; such programs are offered by a number of four-year, private schools in the region. Earning a degree in criminal justice can provide persons new to the field an advantage in securing a job and those who already work in law enforcement and related industries, the opportunity of advancement. At least two of the schools near Washington, DC offer bachelor's degrees with concentrations in specialty subfields like criminology, juvenile justice, or the administration of justice. One of the programs, at least, requires the completion of an internship as part of the curriculum. Another school is a women's college, but the criminal justice program is co-educational and accepts applicants both male and female. At least two master's degrees in majors related to criminal justice are also offered in the DC area; one is titled a Master of Science in Justice, Law, & Society and the other a Master of Science in International Security. Both graduate degree programs feature a number of concentrations from which students may choose; at least one of them culminates with a comprehensive exam.

Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Programs in Washington, DC

American University

Both of these concentrations approach deviance and crime through cross-cultural and global perspectives. The criminal justice concentration offers courses on subjects such as deprivation of liberty, forensic science, policing, and corrections. The criminology concentration focuses more on crime and causation through topics that include violence and institutions, organized crime, substance abuse, and criminal psychology. This school also offers an accelerated Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science in Justice, Law, and Society program.

• Program: Bachelor of Arts in Justice
• Concentrations: Criminal justice, criminology
• Program Length: 120 credit hours
• Tuition and Fees: $48,459 (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 8,287 undergraduates and 6,024 graduates

George Washington University

You'll begin your studies by learning about the evolution of the criminal justice system. The program combines criminal justice courses with analytical sociology class work. Criminal justice courses include studies in deviance and control, juvenile delinquency, criminology, and family violence.

• Program: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Tuition and Fees: $55,230 (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 12,546 undergraduates and 15,626 graduates

Howard University

This program also incorporates sociological perspectives on the criminal justice system in the curriculum. You'll find your studies are a combination of practical and scientific learning experiences. In your senior year, you'll be required to participate in an internship program.

• Program: Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice
• Tuition and Fees: $26,756 (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Essay, letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 6,243 undergraduates and 2,896 graduates

Trinity Washington University

Although this is primarily a women's college, the School of Professional Studies programs are co-educational. The program can prepare you for entry into a criminal justice profession or further studies in graduate school. Your foundation and core classes will cover the basic components of the criminal justice system and analytical tools. You'll also have three courses that are concentration-specific.

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Specializations: Administration of justice, criminal law, the principles of correctional operations, juvenile justice, criminal procedure, law enforcement, criminological theory, security studies
• Tuition and Fees: $24,150 (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Letter of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 1,390 undergraduates and 392 graduates

Criminal Justice Master's Degree Programs in Washington, DC

American University

This program allows you to tailor your studies to meet your career goals through a variety of concentrations and the research component of your studies will be directly related to your concentration. Each concentration also offers an array of applicable course options. You can take a cross-discipline approach by taking classes from other areas in your elective choices. The program culminates in a comprehensive exam.

• Program: Master of Science in Justice, Law, & Society
• Concentrations: Justice and public policy; terrorism and security policy; law and society; or jurisprudence and social thought
• Program Length: 33 credit hours
• Tuition: $30,744 (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: GRE, personal statement, letters of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 8,287 undergraduates and 6,024 graduates

Trinity Washington University

If you're looking for a career that may involve concerns over international security threats, such as a C.I.A. or F.B.I. job, this may be the program for you. The program was designed to prepare you for operational, analytical, and leadership positions in security. You can choose up to two concentrations for your studies or tailor your own program by choosing six electives.

• Program: Master of Science in International Security
• Concentrations: Intelligence, terrorism, Africa and international security, Middle East and international security, Gender and international security
• Tuition: $14,040 (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree, letter of recommendation, essay
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit, 1,390 undergraduates and 392 graduates

In summary, George Washington University, Howard University, American University and Trinity Washington University offer bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice while the latter two also offer master's degree programs.