Options for accredited bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida are virtually endless for “Sunshine State” residents to learn the basics of detecting, detaining, and deterring criminals.
Located in the extreme Southeast with 20.61 million people, Florida is ranked America’s ninth least safest state on WalletHub. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported 1,040 murders, 7,537 rapes, and 60,539 aggravated assaults in 2016 alone. Criminal justice majors motivated to lower violence are needed since 11 of the 100 most dangerous U.S. cities, including Fort Pierce, Orlando, Miami, Fort Myers, and Tallahassee, are within Florida.
Let’s begin tracking undergraduate criminal justice schools in Florida (A-E) to nurture your protective instincts.
Argosy University-Sarasota
College of Arts & Sciences
Led by Chancellor Cynthia G. Baum, PhD, Argosy University-Sarasota is one of 28 for-profit, higher learning branches operated by the Education Management Corporation since 2001 that admits 100 percent of applicants in eight undergrad programs delivered in Forbes’ 105th best city for careers. Ranked 252nd nationally in Washington Monthly, Argosy is included within America’s “30 Most Popular Online Colleges” by TheBestSchools.org. The College of Arts & Sciences offers one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and 67 percent graduation rate.
Sarasota BS Degree in Criminal Justice
Estimated to cost $66,943 total, Argosy’s Sarasota BS Degree in Criminal Justice takes 40 months on average for undergrads to study on-campus or online and develop the legal know-how for addressing criminal behaviors. Requiring a high school diploma or GED, the 33-credit major is bolstered by 12-credit concentrations ranging from Corrections to Homeland Security and Forensic Psychology plus 10 free electives. Floridians could benefit from the Argosy Advance Scholarship, PLA credits, 24/7 career resources on Campus Common, and Talk One-2-One counseling.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
5250 17th Street
Sarasota, FL 34235
(941) 379-0404
skanaaval@argosy.edu
Argosy University-Tampa
College of Arts & Sciences
Located in Forbes’ #2 best city for young professionals within two hours of Disney World and Busch Gardens, Argosy University-Tampa is another of the 28 private, for-profit higher learning branches owned by EDMC since 2001 that’s charging an average net price of $18,115 yearly. Placed in the United States’ top 5 percent for psychology courses on College Factual, Argosy-Tampa was ranked 78th for distance learning on OnlineDegreeReviews.org. Housing one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida, the College of Arts & Sciences delivers liberal arts education with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio.
Tampa BS Degree in Criminal Justice
Taking 40-50 months, Argosy’s Tampa BS Degree in Criminal Justice is coordinated by Alyssa Detrinidad in Hillsborough County for undergrads to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to enter law enforcement occupations for ethical social control. Leaving students with average debt of $31,763, the 120-credit curriculum map offers seven concentrations, such as Police, Substance Abuse, and Security Management. Ambitious seniors can fulfill electives with the Master’s Accelerated Plan to jump-start the MS in Forensic Psychology or MS in Organizational Leadership.
Accreditation
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1403 N. Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 393-5290
adetrinidad@argosy.edu
Barry University
College of Arts and Sciences
Noted for prominent alums like AG Allyson Maynard Gibson, Judge Alex Ferrer, and Executive Director Tess Stebbins, Barry University is a private, nonprofit Dominican ACCU member of the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami that’s drawing 2,500 Buccaneers to its 122-campus and Tallahassee branch with a $36.2 million endowment. Ranked 185th nationally for value-added education by The Economist, Barry is named America’s 180th best college with free applications on Niche. The College of Arts and Sciences grants one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida with 63 percent retention.
Bachelor of Science in Criminology
Chaired by Gary L. Grizzle, PhD, Barry’s Bachelor of Science in Criminology at the Miami Shores campus lets undergrads study the historical and contemporary behavioral patterns of crime for improving law enforcement responses in societal institutions. The 42-credit major integrates courses for organized crime, social psychology, domestic violence, corrections, and juvenile delinquency that are closed at 20 students. Majors could also join the Sociology & Criminology Club, pledge Pi Gamma Mu, attend the College Brides Walk, and intern with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Lehmann Hall 333
11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
(305) 899-3476
ggrizzle@barry.edu
Bethune-Cookman University
College of Liberal Arts
Since joining the United Negro College Fund in 1970, Bethune-Cookman University has grown to serve 4,045 Wildcats with a $54.18 million endowment as a private, nonprofit historically black Methodist institution under President Edison O. Jackson with 90 coastal acres in Daytona Beach. Deemed America’s 57th most liberal college on Niche, Bethune-Cookman is ranked the 24th best HBCU and 154th top high school counselor pick by the USNWR. The College of Liberal Arts selectively admits 54 percent of applicants into one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida focused on addressing racial disparities.
B.S. Criminal Justice
Presently priced at $13,440 annually, Bethune-Cookman’s B.S. Criminal Justice is chaired by Randy Nelson, PhD, to introduce diverse undergrads to the values and practices of an equitable legal system for law enforcement vocations. Offering an optional Paralegal Certificate or Pre-Law Minor, the 120-credit degree spans eight semesters with courses from criminal procedure to victimology and African American history. Internship experience is required with affiliated partners like Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Homeland Security. Students also join Alpha Phi Sigma and the IOBSE Chapter.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 481-2095
admissions@cookman.edu
Edward Waters College
Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1866, Edward Waters College is a private, historically black institution directed by President Nat Glover with a $1.8 million endowment serving 800 Tigers from 23 acres in Jacksonville. Chosen as America’s 69th best HBCU on Niche, EWC was ranked #1 by Black College Nines in 2016 among the top small schools. Charging yearly tuition at $12,525, the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science employs expert, PhD-level faculty from Saint Leo, Barry, Grambling State, Georgia, New Haven, and others for engaging legal discussions.
B.A. in Criminal Justice
Ideally located near the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, EWC’s B.A. in Criminal Justice is led by Chair Judy Scott, PhD, as another of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida that endows undergrads’ law enforcement capacity with cultural awareness of human diversity. The 126-credit curriculum awards concentrations for Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Forensic Science, or 3+1 Law Enforcement/Police Academy. Students could also join Lambda Alpha Epsilon, practice in the Forensic Science Lab, take the Upward Bound Program, and run for Student Government.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
21 E. Union Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 470-8078
judy.scott@ewc.edu
Studying criminal justice at accredited, CHEA-recognized colleges is essential to ensure academic quality, financial aid, and credit transfers, especially to law school. Criminal justice graduates from accredited institutions have the greatest marketability with Florida employers like the Miami Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Attorney General, and Dade County District Court. Keep looking for your crime-fighting college match with our next group of accredited bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida here.
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