Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Rhode Island
Populated by approximately one million people within 1,214 square miles in the heart of New England, Rhode Island offers a variety of job opportunities and a comfortable employment situation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Providence is comfortably above the national average of $23.86 at $24.57.
the average hourly wage in Providence is comfortably above the national average of $23.86 at $24.57 BLS
Students and graduates interested in a career in criminal justice will have plenty of opportunities in Rhode Island. Those looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field can do so at the state’s flagship University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, and Johnson and Wales University. Additionally, students may choose from in-person and online options at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Earning an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Rhode Island
Online degrees provide busy learners the opportunity to pursue a degree on a flexible schedule that works for them. Classes are often delivered in an asynchronous format that primarily utilizes online discussion boards and writing assignments with weekly deadlines rather than live lectures. Students get a learning experience that they may log into and participate in at their convenience. If you choose to take an accelerated online curriculum, you can get a degree in significantly less time than with a traditional on-campus program.
Additionally, an online degree decreases or eliminates on-campus costs, such as housing and commuting. Online degrees charge by the credit and often offer discounts to active military personnel and their families. Transferring previous coursework and work experience can also help students decrease the amount of online courses they need to take.
Accredited Criminal Justice Programs in Rhode Island
Understanding the three forms of academic accreditation, regional, national, and specialized, makes the process of picking the right school easier.
Regional accreditation is geographically based and the most common form of accreditation, covering the majority of two- and four-year public and private institutions. Eight accrediting bodies – approved by the U.S. Department of Education – oversee six different regions in the U.S. The regional accrediting body for Rhode Island is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Regional accreditation is geographically based and the most common form of accreditation, covering the majority of two- and four-year public and private institutions
National accreditation covers vocational and nontraditional institutions. Unfortunately, credits from nationally accredited institutions do not always translate to credit in regionally accredited institutions. Students can receive federal student aid at both regional and nationally accredited institutions if their school’s accrediting body is approved by the Department of Education.
Specialized accreditation covers individual programs, departments, and schools within larger institutions. Accrediting agencies such as the American Bar Association and the American Psychological Association work to maintain national standards for professional licensure within specific disciplines.
The Department of Education maintains a database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.
Education and Training Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in Rhode Island
Rhode Island online criminal justice degree graduates find that a degree from a two- or four- year university helps diversify their skill set and bolster their credentials. Knowing whether a desired career path will actually require a specific degree, however, depends upon the career.
Most jobs in protective services relating to criminal justice welcome an associate, bachelor’s, or even master’s in criminal justice, but education requirements vary from position to position. Generally, protective services workers (even forensic science technicians) undergo training at law enforcement agencies such as police academies, where they learn the skills needed to fulfill their duties and study topics such as civil rights and law.
Corrective and court-related occupations range from jobs that require a master’s, such as a lawyer, to those that simply require a high school degree, such as a bailiff. The majority of online criminal justice graduates in Rhode Island will be able to find relevant work so long as they are prepared to undergo further training.
Licensing, Registration, and Certification Requirements in Rhode Island
Graduates from an online criminal justice degree in Rhode Island should take note that work in the field often requires state specific licensure and registration. Additionally, certification bolsters your credentials when applying for jobs. Licensure, the right to practice a certain profession, comes from the legal authority of the state, while certification comes from the authority of a non-government organization. Registration represents a record of the individual within a registry maintained by a licensing or accrediting body.
someone with an interest in a career in crime scene investigation can pursue certification from the International Association of Identification or a similar organization
The steps to licensure to practice in one’s profession vary by profession. In Rhode Island, a license-granting agency distinguishes between security guards working for themselves and employees of a business. Employees must register with their employers, giving their age, citizenship status, and recent employment history. If the job requires the employee to be armed, the applicant must undergo weapon permit training from a certified weapons instructor. This training may take place either on-site or through a third party. The applicant pays a fee for both licensure and for the weapons permit and must have the application notarized.
Certification can also expand your professional opportunities. For instance, someone with an interest in a career in crime scene investigation can pursue certification from the International Association of Identification or a similar organization. Such a program can kickstart a career, adding to the strengths of your academic profile and work experience.
Career and Salary Expectations
A recent graduate of an online criminal justice degree in Rhode Island can anticipate a stable and comfortably compensated job market. These graduates find themselves prepared for work across two major fields: protective services, and court and corrections occupations.
According to the BLS, the mean hourly wage of those employed in protective services is $23.36, and the mean annual wage is $48,580 as of May 2017. These averages are comfortably above May 2017’s national mean wages for those in the same occupational group of $22.69 hourly and $47,190 annually. In Rhode Island, the mean hourly wage for those in legal occupations is $44.90, and the mean annual wage is $93,390. Both protective services and legal occupations maintain stable location quotients of 1.12 and 1.07 respectively.
Below, we’ve highlighted relevant employment and salary statistics for a variety of positions in the field.
Protective Services Occupations in Rhode Island
| Occupation | Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighters | 1,660 | $27.15 | $56,480 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 70 | $27.54 | $57,280 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 290 | $41.24 | $85,780 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 2,110 | $28.28 | $58,830 |
| Security Guards | 3,040 | $14.65 | $30,480 |
| Transportation Security Screeners | 160 | $20.99 | $43,670 |
Court and Corrections Occupations in South Carolina
| Occupation | Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | 1,810 | $62.22 | $129,410 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | 110 | $80.09 | $166,580 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 1,340 | $25.39 | $52,820 |
| Court Reporters | 80 | $31.43 | $65,380 |
Other Criminal Justice Occupations in Rhode Island
| Occupation | Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers | 50 | N/A | $83,790 |
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Paying for postsecondary education can be challenging. Those seeking an online criminal justice degree in Rhode Island may draw on scholarships (often renewable) tailoring to students of varying levels of financial need, minorities, and high school graduates passionate about a career in law enforcement.
Criminal Justice Scholarships
My Alarm Center Student Scholarship $1,000
Brian Terry Scholarship Varies
Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship $1000
Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Ethnic Diversity $6,000
WIFLE Annual Scholarship $2,500
Scholarships for Rhode Island Residents
Daniel J. Garvey Scholarship Varies
Patty and Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship Fund $1,000
Frederick J. Benson Scholarship $500-$2,000
Bristol Children’s Home Scholarship $500-$2,000
Conrad Nestor Scholarship Varies
Resources for Criminal Justice Students in Rhode Island
Law Enforcement Agencies in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Department of Corrections
- Providence Police Department
- Newport Police Department
- Narragansett Indian Tribal Police Department
- University of Rhode Island Police Department
Professional Organizations
Newly minted graduates with an online criminal justice degree in Rhode Island should pursue opportunities for professional development and networking. If you’re looking to pursue a career in the field, be sure to check out the opportunities and resources that these professional organizations can provide.
Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences
The NACJS is a regional division of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences dedicated to a higher standard of criminal justice scholarship. The organization holds its annual conference in Bristol.
Association of Corporate Counsel
The ACC’s Northeastern chapter hosts programs and resources related to corporate law, such as mediation training and pro bono opportunities.
University of Rhode Island Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory
The Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory offers technical services, law enforcement training, and internships to students at the school interested in criminal justice.
Roger Williams University Justice System Training and Research Institute
The Justice System Training and Research Institute offers events and specialized training for justice system personnel.
Family Service of Rhode Island
The non-profit Family Service of Rhode Island hosts training for professionals in victim services in the form of its Rhode Island State Victims Assistance Academy.
The Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise
The RIMBE provides resources to support the professional and economic development of minority business owners in Rhode Island.
Find Criminal Justice Jobs in Rhode Island
- Apply RI
- Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns Municipal Classifieds
- Rhode Island Guardians Association Job Bank