Locate Miami Criminal Justice Schools
If your career goals revolve around serving Miami, becoming a pillar of the community, and protecting Miami’s residents, you may be considering a career in criminal justice. Cops, correctional officers, and more make the city a safe place to be in 24 hours a day.
The Miami Police Department may be one of the most relied upon institutions in the entire city, providing 24-hour response to emergency situations. They serve 12 areas of the city with several different police stations.
Where do you envision your criminal justice career taking you? No matter what your goals are, the first step is choosing a school. Our list of featured criminal justice programs, below, can help you select schools in your area. Contact one or more of them for information about their programs and what options you have!
As a Miami student, you can take advantage of Miami-Dade Transit. The transit system includes a bus system, rail system, and train system. They feature a College Discount Program that lets you get monthly passes for 50% off when you attend selected Miami schools on a full-time basis. Wherever your school, home, and work sites are located, Miami-Dade Transit can help you get around the city in a way that fits your budget.
Criminal Justice Schools in Other Major Florida Cities
Criminal Justice Education in Miami
With its excellent public school system, Miami has many affordable public college options for you to attend. There are also private colleges and universities you can look into.
One of the main things you focus on during a criminal justice program is technology. As technology gets more and more advanced, professionals rely on ever-changing technology to solve and prevent crimes. Your school may require you to spend a considerable amount of time in a computer lab or forensics lab.
In addition to the basics of criminal justice technology, you learn how to apply it with the selection of criminal justice courses you are required to take. In an Associate’s degree program, you may only take a couple courses in each area; with a Bachelor’s degree program, you can expect to go more in-depth into each field. Some of the subjects you may cover include criminology, Internet crime, ethics in criminal justice, and criminal law.
Many schools in Miami either encourage or require an internship. Your internship may take place at a local police station, courthouse, or law office. Most internships are a full semester, requiring three to six hours of work per week.
Tuition rates and financial aid opportunities differ between Miami schools, so it’s important to weigh all of your options. Tuition at Miami Dade College, one of the biggest schools in the area, is $1,510.68 per semester for residents and $6,383.64 for non-residents.
Miami is home to many criminal justice organizations. Joining one or more associations as a student can get you involved in the community. Groups based in Miami include the Miami Valley Fire Investigators Association, the South Florida Paralegal Association, and the Miami Police Benevolent Association.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates in Miami
Because of the myriad skills you learn in your criminal justice program, you may be eligible for employment in a wide range of settings upon graduation. Consider the different career options you can pursue so that you can make the best choice for your future.
With an Associate’s degree, you can pursue employment in many highly desirable settings. These are some of the most popular career options, listed with their median salaries as recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Security guard: $33,610 per year
- Bailiff: $69,450 per year
- Correctional officer: $68,170 per year
Earning a Bachelor’s degree gives you the freedom to choose from the careers listed above as well as more advanced career choices, such as those listed below with their median salaries:
- Supervisor of correctional officers: $75,880 per year
- Sheriff: $91,250 per year
- Detective: $102,650 per year
Joining the Miami-Dade Police Department as a police officer can help you earn a competitive salary and get started on a new career path. You can start out earning a beginning salary of $58,451 per year. This can also qualify you to join the Miami Police Benevolent Association. This local organization can give you access to special events and training seminars.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for city-specific positions contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.
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