Looking for a Doctorate Degree in Criminal Justice in New York? You should consider these top-tier PhD programs and jobs in the Criminal Justice field.
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The best degrees in New York for criminal justice prepare students for varied careers and improve their educational outcomes. Doctoral degree-holders can pursue diverse career paths. A doctorate can open doors for employment in all fields.
Doctoral degree-holders are more likely to be employed than those with high school diplomas, with unemployment at 1.5%.
Criminal Justice Doctorate Programs for You
Working and Living in New York in the Criminal Justice Profession
In the United States, a criminal justice degree is typically a four-year degree earned at a college or university. Common courses covered in a criminal justice program include topics such as the American legal system, criminal law, criminology, and corrections. Many criminal justice programs also offer internships or field placements. These help students gain real-world experience in the field of criminal justice. There are many different jobs that those with criminal justice degrees can pursue. Some examples include working as a police officer, detective, probation officer, or lawyer. Many criminal justice graduates also go on to work in federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA. In addition to traditional lectures, many criminal justice courses also include small group discussions or seminars. This allows students to get to know their professors on a more personal level and to ask questions about the material covered in class.
The average annual wage in New York is $48,800, or $23.46 per hour. This holds true for the state's 8,669,050 employees. The state's lowest 10% of earners make $29,220 a year, and the highest 10% make $129,290, according to the BLS. See below for a comparison of the wages for detectives and criminal investigators in New York.
Key
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New York
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Nationally
All Occupations in New York
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New York and Nationwide
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Based on the MERIC cost of living index, New York ranks number 48 out of 51 states (including Washington, D.C.). The cost of living index measures the average cost of living in the United States against specific states. The U.S. average is 100, and all locations are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive). New York's cost of living index is 136.8, which is 36.8% higher than the national average. On the following page, you will find a comparison of the average cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other items in New York and the U.S.
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Jobs for detectives and criminal investigators are projected to grow 2.5% from 2020-2030. There is a projected change of 112,500 of these workers in 2020 to 115,300 in 2030. Entry-level positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical job titles include the following:
Detectives and criminal investigators
Criminal Investigator
Deputy United States Marshal
FBI Investigator
Homicide Detective
Narcotics Detective
Narcotics Investigator
Police Detective
Doctoral Degrees in Criminal Justice in New York
#1 Doctoral Degrees in Criminal Justice in New York
SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY
4 years
Online + Campus
Doctoral students seeking an online criminal justice program benefit from the Ph.D. program at SUNY at Albany. With flexible enrollment options, the public school helps degree-seekers earn a doctorate. Doctoral students receive research support throughout the program.
In the criminal justice program, graduate learners complete advanced classes. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates propose a dissertation topic and conduct research in their specialty area. As the terminal degree in criminal justice, the program prepares graduates for academic, research, and industry positions.
Online doctoral students at the accredited institution qualify for several forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about financial aid opportunities, admission requirements, and start dates.
SUNY at Albany at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 16,573
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $11,310
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,070
Out-of-state
$24,660
Retention Rate
83%
Admission Rate
57%
Students Enrolled
17,688
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
94%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Doctoral Degrees in Criminal Justice in New York
The Graduate Center
New York, NY
4 years
Online + Campus
The Graduate Center offers an online criminal justice Ph.D. program for doctoral students. The public university provides flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of diverse degree-seekers. Doctoral students strengthen their research skills and present in academic conferences.
During the criminal justice program, learners take doctoral courses to earn their degree. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertation. Professionals with a doctorate work in academia, research, and leadership roles.
Doctoral students qualify for fellowships, scholarships, and federal financial aid programs at the accredited institution. Prospective applicants can contact the program for more about financial aid and admission requirements.
The Graduate Center at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 9,296
Online Master's Programs: 4
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,930
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,930
Out-of-state
$14,880
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
9,300
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financing a Doctoral Degree in Criminal Justice
Financial aid is available to assist with the cost of attending college. It is possible to receive financial aid by applying for scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. Some students are eligible to receive federal and private student loans. Several colleges offer scholarships and grants to assist students in paying for their degrees.
Find out what scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan options are available through your school's financial aid office.
Average Cost of Attending College in New York
In New York, the cost varies based on which college or university you choose. In spite of this, there are some similarities that exist among institutions of all sizes. The information below can help you decide whether attending a public institution is right for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: New York vs. National Average
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National Average
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What is the cost of attending a private college? Generally, private schools charge more. Please refer to the following graph to learn more about private colleges in New York:
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: New York vs. National Average
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New York
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
In order to fund your education, have you considered borrowing student loans? Prior to obtaining a loan, you should take a few things into consideration.
In order to successfully repay the loan on time, you must ensure that you can make all the payments on time.
Consider whether earning a degree from a particular school is going to help you in your career goals.
In order to avoid undue hardship once you enter the workforce, make sure that you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to your loans.
The following statistics can help you learn what students tend to borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The cost and size of the class are two of the main differences between online and on-campus programs. Numerous advantages can be gained from online programs, including flexibility, affordability, and convenience. On-campus programs usually cost more because of student fees, which are optional for distance students. Attending classes has, however, certain advantages.
Top Criminal Justice Degree Options Available by State
Many differences exist between private and public colleges. If you choose a public or private school, there will be a difference in price. You can use research grants and scholarships to help cover the cost of attending a public college if you wish to do so. In private colleges, students may receive merit scholarships based on their previous academic performance.
As a result of their smaller class sizes, professors at private colleges are often more available to students. Consider the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public one.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators in New York make?
In New York, detectives and criminal investigators make a mean annual wage of $107,990.
Are careers associated with criminal justice majors in high demand?
The total number of detectives and criminal investigators is projected to change by 2.5% from 2020-2030.
Are there any advantages to studying for a doctorate in criminal justice online?
A doctorate in criminal justice is a great way to prepare for the workforce. Almost all schools today provide some form of online education.
How many years will you spend earning a doctoral degree?
It typically takes 4-6 years for a full-time student to complete a doctoral degree. It varies from student to student on the time it takes to complete the program.
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