Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Washington, D.C.
Updated September 23, 2026
Washington, D.C. puts you inside the federal system: Capitol Police, the FBI, DHS, and a lawyer’s median wage of $195,190 as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nine local institutions offer a criminal justice program at some level, per federal education data. Degree requirements vary by agency and role. The FBI, for instance, requires a bachelor’s for special agents.
You’re not just picking a criminal justice program here. You’re picking a city with a major concentration of federal law-enforcement agencies and legal employers, and that changes what you need your degree to do for you.
State Agency: Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Why D.C. Is Different for Criminal Justice Work
Many major federal law-enforcement agencies are headquartered or have a significant presence in the Washington area. Work here and you’re not just competing for slots with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. You’re also up against the FBI, DHS, DEA, and the U.S. Capitol Police, an agency that dates its founding to May 2, 1828, when Congress expanded D.C. police regulations to the Capitol and Capitol Square.
D.C. was once a fixture on lists of America’s most dangerous cities. A Forbes analysis pointed to gentrification, tax incentives, and urban reform as drivers behind that shift. That analysis is now over a decade old, and violent crime trends move year to year, so treat it as history, not a current snapshot of the city.
Criminal Justice Education in the District
Federal agencies headquartered in the District set their own education requirements, position by position, and advanced degrees can open doors at the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal employers.
Education requirements for federal criminal-justice positions vary by agency and position. Some roles, including FBI special agent, require at least a bachelor’s degree. A degree carries particular weight in probation and parole, forensics, and criminal investigations.
A core curriculum sits at the center of most bachelor’s programs, generally with required coursework in science, math, and English alongside your major, plus room for electives. Depending on the program, coursework may cover topics such as:
Some criminal justice programs offer internships, fieldwork, or other experiential-learning opportunities; requirements vary by institution and program. The American Criminal Justice Association and other groups award scholarships with varying eligibility rules; students focused on national security or counterintelligence should look specifically at options built for that track.
Where to Study Criminal Justice in D.C.
Nine institutions in the District offer a criminal-justice-family program at some credential level, per federal education data — from Strayer’s two-year associate track to American University’s doctorate. That count covers criminal justice, homeland security, legal support, and related program families, not one single degree.
| Institution | Control | Credential Levels | Program Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Private nonprofit | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security |
| George Washington University | Private nonprofit | Associate, Bachelor’s, Graduate Certificate, Master’s | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Legal Support Services, Security Science and Technology |
| Georgetown University | Private nonprofit | Master’s | Homeland Security, Legal Support Services |
| Howard University | Private nonprofit | Bachelor’s | Criminal Justice |
| Strayer University – District of Columbia | Private for-profit | Associate, Bachelor’s | Criminal Justice |
| Strayer University – Global Region | Private for-profit | Associate, Bachelor’s | Criminal Justice |
| Trinity Washington University | Private nonprofit | Bachelor’s | Criminal Justice |
| University of the District of Columbia | Public | Associate, Master’s | Criminal Justice, Fire Protection, Legal Support Services |
| University of the Potomac – Washington DC Campus | Private for-profit | Bachelor’s | Criminal Justice |
This reflects what each school reported to the Department of Education, not necessarily what’s actively enrolling today. Confirm current program format, enrollment, and admission requirements directly with the school before applying.
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.
What Criminal Justice Careers Pay in D.C.
Federal proximity shows up in the paychecks too. Here’s how five common criminal justice careers stack up in the District:
| Career | Median Annual Wage (D.C.) | Projected Job Growth, D.C. (2024–34) |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $88,650 | -0.2% |
| Lawyers | $195,190 | +0.7% |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $89,750 | -0.2% |
| Information Security Analysts | $135,090 | +12.3% |
| Emergency Management Directors | $184,350 | -4.8% |
Information Security Analysts have the strongest projected growth among the occupations shown, at +12.3%, while several traditional roles hold roughly flat. You can contact the schools listed above for more on which degree path lines up with these numbers.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, Lawyers, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, Information Security Analysts, and Emergency Management Directors. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.
Looking for a Criminal Justice Program in Another State?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to become a police officer in Washington, D.C.?
The Metropolitan Police Department has maintained a college-credit requirement for its officers, historically around 60 semester credit hours, though D.C. has looked at pathways for when those credits can be completed. Because MPD sets and updates this requirement directly, confirm the current standard on MPD’s own site before you apply. Federal agencies headquartered in D.C. set requirements position by position; the FBI special agent role, for example, requires a bachelor’s degree.
What’s the highest-paying criminal justice career in D.C.?
Among the careers tracked above, Lawyers lead at a median of $195,190 as of May 2025. Information Security Analysts follow at $135,090, with the fastest projected growth of the group at +12.3% through 2034.
Which D.C. schools offer criminal justice degrees?
Nine institutions in the District carry a criminal-justice-family program per federal education data, ranging from associate degrees at Strayer University and the University of the District of Columbia to a doctorate at American University. See the full table above for credential levels and program areas at each.
Is criminal justice job growth strong in D.C.?
It depends heavily on which career. Information Security Analysts have the strongest projected growth among the occupations shown, at +12.3% through 2034, while Police Officers, Paralegals, and Emergency Management Directors are flat to declining over the same period.
Key Takeaways
- The federal presence shapes the market. You’re competing with the FBI, DHS, DEA, and the Capitol Police, not just the Metropolitan Police Department, and education requirements can look very different depending on which one you’re aiming for.
- Nine schools, one flexible ladder. Options run from a two-year associate at Strayer or UDC up to a doctorate at American University.
- Information Security Analysts post the strongest growth. Projected at +12.3% through 2034, well ahead of the other careers in the table.
- Requirements are set position by position. The FBI special agent role requires a bachelor’s degree — other roles, local and federal, vary. Confirm the specifics with the agency you’re targeting.
Worried about paying for the degree? Our scholarships page lists what’s currently open to criminal justice students.
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