Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
There are a wide variety of programs available through universities offering criminal justice degrees. Below you will find a listing of schools by city as well as online criminal justice colleges that offer classes throughout Massachusetts.
While forests cover about 62 percent of the state, Massachusetts is commonly referred to as "The Bay State" because of its three largest bays: Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod, and Buzzards Bay. Home to one of the first permanent American colonies, Massachusetts is known to be a blend of the old and new, filled with both modern and historical sites. More than 6.4 million people live in Massachusetts, making it the most populous of the six New England states. The majority of residents are located in the three biggest cities: Boston, Worcester and Springfield. Population is projected to increase by 6 percent within the next 15 years, much lower than the national average, according to a statewide report administered by the Public Policy of Higher Education. Massachusetts currently has an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent, with 304,000 residents unable to find steady work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the unemployment rate, a large portion of residents possess college degrees. According to the Public Policy of Higher Education, higher education in Massachusetts ranks high. About 26 percent of students are enrolled in community colleges, 25 percent in a public, four-year college or university and 49 percent in a private four-year institution, according to the most recent statistics available.
The crime rate in Massachusetts is 22 percent lower than the national average, according to the most recent statistics available from the National Institute of Corrections. While property crimes accounted for about 84.2 percent of all crimes in Massachusetts in 2008, about 12.2 percent accounted for violent crimes. The cities with the most criminal activity include Springfield, Boston and Brockton. Among the safest are Lawrence and Newton. There are a total of 21 jail facilities dispersed within Massachusetts’ 14 counties. In addition to inspecting and managing the 11,883 inmates within these jail facilities, the Department of Correction and its 5,221 employees are responsible for managing 32 prison facilities and its 11,316 inmates. Massachusetts has a lower crime rate than most states, so it also naturally has the lowest number of incarcerated adults. In 2009, the number of incarcerated adults per 1,000 persons was 52 percent lower than the national average rate, according to the Institution.
Whether you’re interested in a degree in corrections, criminology, or any other bachelor’s or master’s justice degree, the search for finding the right criminal justice academy for you begins with requesting a free information packet from schools in your area by following the links below.
Online Colleges Offering Classes in MA
University of Phoenix Kaplan University Capella University
Boston Criminal Justice Campus Programs
University of Phoenix ITT-Tech Campus
Westborough Criminal Justice Campus Programs
Interested in a criminal justice career in Massachusetts? Take a look at some of the best crime-fighting jobs in the state.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
National Employment: 13,140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $42.13
National Mean Annual Wage: $87,620
Massachusetts Employment: 760
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $39.07
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $81,280
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
National Employment: 8,110
National Mean Hourly Wage: $30.41
National Mean Annual Wage: $63,250
Massachusetts Employment: 330
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $25.16
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $52,330
Bailiffs
National Employment: 17140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $19.35
National Mean Annual Wage: $40,240
Massachusetts Employment: 1,280
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $26.42
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $54,950
Correctional Officers and Jailers
National Employment: 455,350
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.49
National Mean Annual Wage: $42,610
Massachusetts Employment: 7,570
Massachusetts Mean Wage: N/A
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: N/A
Court Reporters
National Employment: 3,172,420
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.07
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,740
Massachusetts Employment: 110
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $27.43
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $57,060
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
National Employment: 110,380
National Mean Hourly Wage: $31.66
National Mean Annual Wage: $65,860
Massachusetts Employment: 1,780
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $33.64
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $69,980
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Correctional Officers
National Employment: 45,540
National Mean Hourly Wage: $28.76
National Mean Annual Wage: $59,810
Massachusetts Employment: 290
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $28.45
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $59,170
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives
National Employment: 99,900
National Mean Hourly Wage: $37.78
National Mean Annual Wage: $78,580
Massachusetts Employment: 3,610
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $38.58
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $80,240
Fish and Game Wardens
National Employment: 7,530
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.42
National Mean Annual Wage: $54,950
Massachusetts Employment: 70
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $21.07
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $43,820
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
National Employment: 26,350
National Mean Hourly Wage: $49.99
National Mean Annual Wage: $103,990
Massachusetts Employment: 190
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $39.24
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $81,630
Law Clerks
National Employment: 32,630
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.17
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,960
Massachusetts Employment: 260
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $20.79
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $43,240
Lawyers
National Employment: 556,790
National Mean Hourly Wage: $62.03
National Mean Annual Wage: $129,020
Massachusetts Employment: 15,780
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $60.57
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $125,990
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
National Employment: 246,810
National Mean Hourly Wage: $24.08
National Mean Annual Wage: $50,080
Massachusetts Employment: 6,800
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $24.54
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $51,050
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
National Employment: 641,590
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.53
National Mean Annual Wage: $55,180
Massachusetts Employment: 16,410
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $26.72
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $55,580
Private Detectives and Investigators
National Employment: 31,250
National Mean Hourly Wage: $22.66
National Mean Annual Wage: $47,130
Massachusetts Employment: 560
Massachusetts Mean Wage: $17.81
Massachusetts Annual Mean Wage: $37,050
Data Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes
