You might remember The Wire, a TV drama about gang wars and drug smuggling that took place in Baltimore, Maryland. Although Baltimore’s crime rate has decreased over the last decade, its 2009 violent crime rate was 252% higher than the national average and 156% higher than Maryland’s average rate, according to CityRating.com. It’s no surprise then that Baltimore’s Police Department is the 11th largest in the country with almost 3,000 sworn personnel (even though the city only has a population of just over 600,000), states the U.S. Department of Justice. Check out the list of criminal justice schools in Maryland for information on law enforcement degrees if you would like to become a police officer and help reduce the capital city’s crime rate even more. Most police departments require at least an Associate’s (two-year) degree. Notice that schools offer online and campus degrees; that way you can select a program that can be catered to your existing schedule.
Maryland also has many top agencies that are devoted to criminal justice, safety and security. The National Law Enforcement Corrections and Technology Center’s main headquarters are located in Rockville, as is the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. In Baltimore, there is one of Homeland Security’s Special-Agent-in-Charge Field Offices and the Baltimore Field Division of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF also administers a fire research laboratory in Beltsville; FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) runs a training center – the Emergency Management Institute – in Emmitsburg. These major agencies are inspirations for future students and professionals. Completing a criminal justice degree in Maryland with a concentration/major in computer forensics or cyber security, criminology or legal studies, homeland security or counterterrorism, law enforcement or emergency management can open many doors for you as you begin your criminal justice career.
Kaplan University
Campus Location: Hagerstown, MD
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Computer Forensics, Paralegal Studies
School Website: www.kaplan.edu
TESST College of Technology
Campus Location: Towson, MD
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website:
Walden University
Campus Location: Baltimore, MD
Programs Offered: Computer Info Sys & Security, Crime & Criminals, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Human Services, Management & Admin, Psychology, Public Admin
School Website: www.waldenu.edu
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Programs: Associates AABA Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelors BSCJ Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Political Science
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Programs: BA Social and Criminal Justice, MA Organizational Management Public Administration, MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, BA Political Science and Government, BA Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Political Science and Government, BA Social and Criminal Justice Corrections Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Forensics, BA Social and Criminal Justice Homeland Security, BA Social and Criminal Justice Security Management, BA Law Enforcement Administration, BA Organizational Management Human Resources Management, BA Social Science No Concentration, BA Sociology
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Programs: Master of Criminal Justice
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Programs: PhD Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, BS Criminal Justice, MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences, DPA General Public Administration, MPA General Public Administration, BPA General Public Administration, PhD Public Safety Leadership, MS Public Safety Leadership, BS Homeland Security, BS Security Management, DSW General Social Work
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Programs: Associates ASCJ Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Paralegal studies, Master of Science in Management Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice Associatess, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Associates, Paralegal Associates, Criminal Justice Bachelors, Homeland Security Bachelors, Paralegal Bachelors, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: BS in Public Safety Administration, MS in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement, MS in Criminal Justice Legal Studies, MS in Leadership Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadersh, BS in Public Safety and Emergency Management, Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government a, BS in Justice Studies, BS in Sociology
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Programs: Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice, BSCJ Computer Crime, BSCJ Corrections, BSCJ Crime Scene Investigation, BSCJ Forensic Psychology, BSCJ Homeland Security, BSCJ Law Enforcement, AAS in Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Corrections, MSCJ Global Issues in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Law, BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in Legal Studies, BS in Paralegal Studies, AAS in Paralegal Studies, MS in Legal Studies, MSLS Education and the Legal System, MSLS Legal System and the Media, BS in Environmental Policy and Management, BS in Public Administration and Policy, AAS in Public Administration, BS in Political Science, Master of Public Administration, MPA Criminal Justice, MPA General MPA
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Programs: AA Criminal Justice, BA Criminal Justice, AA Homeland Security, BA Homeland Security, BA Legal Studies, AA Paralegal Studies
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice AAS, Criminal Justice BS
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Programs: Online Masters in Criminal Justice, Post-Master Certificate in CJ with Homeland Security Specializat, Online Homeland Security Certification
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Programs: Master of Business Administration Criminal Justice, AA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice Criminalistics Specialization, BA in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Forensic Science, Master of Social Work Management
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigatio, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Speciali, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration Non Profit Specialization, Master of Public Administration Public Policy Specialization, Master of Public Administration Criminial Justice Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Speciali, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specialization
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Programs: MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Legal Studies, BS in CJ Criminal Justice Administration, BS in CJ Computer Security and Forensics, BS in CJ Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in CJ Homeland Security Technology, Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Crime Analysis , Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Homeland Security Adminis, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Justice Administration
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Master of Science Administration of Justice and Security, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Human S
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Associates Paralegal Studies, Bachelors Criminal Justice, Bachelors Paralegal Studies, Masters Criminal Justice, Bachelors Criminal Justice Homeland Security
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Managem, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Human Services for Crimi, Master of Public Administration General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Mental Health Applic, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Criminal Jus, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Polic, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Safet, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Criminal Ju, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Homeland Se, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Law and Pub, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Poli, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Safe, Bachelor of Science BS in Political Science & Public Administrat, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Mana, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Human Services for Cr, Master of Public Administration Homeland Security Policy and Coo, Master of Public Administration Law and Public Policy, PhD in Human Services Course-based Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Course-based Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Law and Publ, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychology , Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Program Planning & E, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Psychology & Legal S
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Maryland is one of five states with the highest level of employment for court reporters, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although the career outlook through to 2018 is forecasted for only 1% growth, Maryland offers approximately 50 new court reporter positions a year, states Projections Central. For a career that involves attention to detail and transcribing all legal proceedings in real time you can earn between $40,000 – 48,000 a year. Take a look at the criminal justice schools in Maryland for information on online or campus court reporting courses.
Maryland is also one of five states with the highest concentration of the following occupations. (The average number of job openings per year is provided by Projections Central):
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers (540 openings/year)
- Judicial Law Clerks (20 openings/year)
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (120 openings/year)
- Private Detectives and Investigators (40 openings/year)
- Forensic Science Technicians (30 openings/year)
Other criminal justice careers in Maryland that show a positive outlook for employment are Paralegals (100 openings/year), Detectives and Criminal Investigators (60 openings/year), Correctional Officers and Jailers (300 openings/year) and Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (70 openings/year).
You can complete a criminal justice degree in Maryland to successfully prepare you for one of these booming careers. Look at the lists of online and campus universities and colleges to find information on degrees in law enforcement, legal studies, public administration, criminal justice, forensic science, paralegal studies, corrections and other related programs.
Some of the top employers in Maryland, according to Career One Stop, are Fort Detrick in Frederick, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and the US Naval Base in Ijamsville. Fort Meade, the home of the National Security Agency (intelligence agency for the Department of Defense) is also located in Maryland. Several of the criminal justice schools in Maryland are military friendly, meaning they participate in GI/Veteran educational funding programs such as the Yellow Ribbon Program. You can also complete a criminal justice degree in Maryland that compliments your military/naval career. Consider programs such as a homeland security, counterterrorism, emergency management computer forensics or information security degrees.
As previously mentioned, major agencies in Maryland include the National Law Enforcement Corrections and Technology Center, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, a Homeland Security’s Special-Agent-in-Charge field office, the Baltimore Field Division of ATF, ATF’s fire research laboratory and FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. Also most of Maryland’s major cities are an hour or less commute to Washington D.C. where you will find the main headquarters for the FBI, Secret Service, CIA, National Drug Intelligence Service and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Finally, four of Maryland’s police departments are among the top fifty largest local law enforcement agencies in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
As follows are the names of these departments and their number of full time employees as of 2007:
- Baltimore Police – 3,565 employees (2,952 sworn personnel)
- Baltimore County Police – 2,188 employees (1,888 sworn personnel)
- Prince George’s County Police – 1,823 employees (1,522 sworn personnel)
- Montgomery County Police – 1,563 employees (1,199 sworn personnel)
Whether you want to become a police officer or sheriff’s patrol officer, IT specialist, records clerk or communications representative for one of these police departments, criminal justice schools in Maryland offer relevant educational programs to help you land a successful career.
| Career |
Employment Growth through 2018 |
Current Average Salary |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers |
8% |
$54,000-60,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers |
5% |
42,000-49,000 |
| Court Reporters |
1% |
$40,000-48,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
18% |
$83,000-87,000+ |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
8% |
85,000-89,000+ |
| Private Detectives and Investigators |
19% |
$40,000-42,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
5% |
$49,000-52,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists |
18% |
$62,000-68,000 |
| Forensic Science Technicians |
38% |
$56,000-60,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists |
15% |
$50,000-53,000 |
| Security Guards |
14% |
$29,000-33,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Maryland ranked 8th place for criminal activity in CQ Press’ 2010 State Crime Rankings report. It ranked particularly high (2nd place) for murder and robbery. According to the National Institute of Corrections, Maryland’s overall crime rate is 10% higher than the national average, but its violent crime rate is 50% higher.
In 2010, the FBI reported 430 murders, including non-negligent manslaughter (or 7.4 cases/100,000 people) and more than 11,000 cases of robbery (or 191 cases/100,000 people).
| Facility |
Number of Facilities/Offices |
Number of Inmates |
| Jails |
30 |
13,097 |
| Prisons |
24 |
20,891 |
| Probation/Parole |
42 |
118,283 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
