Vermont Criminal Justice Schools

There are several criminal justice degree programs in Vermont from which to choose. Students can study and develop skills in such criminal justice-related areas as cyber investigation, public safety administration, and law enforcement. In addition to traditional, on-campus programs, Norwich University and Champlain College also offer online programs in criminal justice. Continue reading to learn more about the criminal justice degrees available from Vermont's colleges and universities.

Quick Facts

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Vermont

Earning your criminal justice degree in Vermont can make you a more competitive applicant for open positions, as well as increase your salary potential and boost your qualifications when seeking promotion. In addition, a growing number of criminal justice employers require applicants to have at least an associate's degree. Many federal criminal justice jobs require four-year degrees and a degree related to criminal justice can provide a distinct advantage. For example, a bachelor's degree is required for individuals applying to serve as an FBI special agent.

Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in Vermont

College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges

• Norwich University (#46)

Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs

• Norwich University

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Vermont

Norwich University: The Department of Justice Studies at Norwich University has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice as well as a minor. Students also have the option of completing a minor in Cyber Crime and Computer Forensics. Those wishing to gain real-world experience can seek out work study and internship opportunities at the Vermont Center for Justice Research, where investigation is done to provide technical assistance to local criminal justice offices. Alpha Phi Sigma and the Criminal Justice Student Association are student organizations that provide connections to the professional arena, enabling students to seek advice and referrals for future employment.

Champlain College: Criminal Justice majors at Champlain College can pursue one of the three different specializations: 21st Century Problems, Computer Forensics, or Spanish Language. Those interested in law enforcement can enroll in the part-time Police Certification course to supplement their degree. Studying within the Division of Education and Human Studies, criminal justice students take their classes alongside Legal Studies students and Environmental Policy students as the degree plans often cross over. Should an individual wish to pursue a criminal psychology-related career, Champlain College offers a psychology degree with a Criminal Justice Specialization.

Notable Alumni from Vermont Universities

• Burlington, VT Police Chief Michael E. Schirling - University of Vermont
• Windham County, VT Sheriff Keith Clark - Norwich University
• Caledonia County, VT Sheriff Michael H Bergeron - Champlain College

Police Quote: "Know what success looks like. If you want to survive and succeed in this profession then research, study then emulate the behavior, character, and style of law enforcement leaders who have been successful in each phase of their career. Then apply that practice to every aspect of your life." 

Chief Paul F. Sireci

Vermont Criminal Justice Careers

With the number of retirement-age Vermont residents expected to increase by nearly 80% by 2020, demand for graduates with a background in criminal justice will remain strong. Many criminal justice professionals pursue employment with Vermont state agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, and the Fish and Wildlife Department. Opportunities are also available in US federal agencies, including the FBI, US Marshals, Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (ATF), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Vermont State Police operate as part of the state's Department of Public Safety. Individuals wishing to pursue a career as a Vermont State Trooper must be at least 20 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED. Advancement to more senior positions in the Vermont State Police Department requires completion of an associate's or bachelor's degree program at an accredited university.

The average salary for Vermont police officers is $46,950, while police first-line supervisors make an average annual salary of $78,100.^6,8 The starting salary of a Vermont State Trooper is $47,235, which increases to $58,729 after the second year plus benefits, overtime pay, and additional incentives.⁹ Paralegals and legal assistants in Vermont earn an average of $52,240.¹⁰

Vermont Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation	Number Employed	Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers	N/A	$37,140
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	150	$78,100
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	230	$77,570
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	1,250	$46,950

Vermont's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

Vermont's unemployment rate as of May 2016 was 3.1%, noticeably lower than the national average of 4.7%, and much lower than the state's 10-year peak unemployment rate of 7.3% from May 2009.¹¹ Government employment is a good proxy for criminal justice jobs in Vermont. According to Projections Central, the following criminal justice job openings are expected through 2024:

• Police and Sheriff Patrol: 50 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.^12,13
• Correctional Officers: 20 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.^12,14
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 10 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.^12,15
• Security Guards: 20 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.^12,16
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 20 annual openings; 86% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 30% holding an associate's degree and 44% holding a bachelor's degree.^12,17

Positions are estimated based on jobs growth and replacements.

The Mercatus Center, a conservative think tank, rated and analyzed the long-term solvency of each state government. After looking at budgeting, cash/tax collection, and pensions Vermont was ranked 36th in the nation.¹⁸ New hires should be watchful of the state's ability to fulfill employee pension obligations.

Directory of Not-for-Profit Vermont Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

We recommend choosing an accredited campus-based or online criminal justice program in Virginia for students interested in pursuing associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in the growing field of criminal justice.

Tip: If you don't live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (New York, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts).

Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs

Norwich University (Northfield)
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online)
Bachelor of Science | Cybersecurity (online)
Master of Science | Criminal Justice (online)
Master of Science | Information Security & Assurance (online)
Minor | Criminal Justice

Champlain College (Burlington)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Cyber Investigation
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Spanish Language
Bachelor of Science | Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations (online)
Bachelor of Science | Cybersecurity (online)
Master of Science | Digital Forensics (online)
Master of Science | Information Security Operations (online)
Undergraduate Certificate | Cybersecurity (online)
Undergraduate Certificate | Security Administrator (online)
Undergraduate Certificate | Security Fundamentals (online)
Graduate Certificate | Digital Forensic Science (online)
Graduate Certificate | Information Security (online)

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

Castleton State College (Castleton)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Minor | Criminal Justice

College of St. Joseph (Rutland)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice: Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Public Safety Administration

Community College of Vermont (Waterbury)
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice

Lyndon State College (Lyndonville)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Southern Vermont College (Bennington)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Administration of Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Public and Private Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Corrections and Supervision

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References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php
3. College Factual Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/rankings/top-ranked/
4. US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/criminal-justice/rankings
5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm
6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm
7. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm
8. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm
9. Vermont State Police: https://vsp.vermont.gov/employment/pay
10. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
11. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://https://ycharts.com/indicators/vermont_unemployment_rate
12. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
13. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.01
14. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.00
15. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.01
16. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.00
17. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.00
18. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings