Which Universities Offer Criminal Justice Degrees in Omaha, NE?

Career Info for Criminal Justice Professionals in Omaha, NE

A degree in criminal justice prepares you for a career in law enforcement, corrections or private security. To work as a police officer in Omaha, you must pass written and physical tests, as well as clear a background check, according to the Omaha Police Department. Additionally, you must complete a training academy program, which consists of classroom instruction and 15 weeks of field training.

In May 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 400 correctional officers and jailers in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area earning an annual mean wage of about $38,000. The BLS also reported that there were 1,600 police and sheriff's patrol officers averaging $51,000 and 210 detectives and criminal investigators earning average wages of $70,000.

Criminal Justice Associate's Degree Program in Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area - South Omaha Campus

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
• Areas of Study: General criminal justice studies, corrections, homeland security, private security, law enforcement, computer forensics, network security
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $2,385 for residents and $3,443 for non-residents (tuition and fees for 2011-2012 academic year)
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 19,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 30 & Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111
• Phone: (402) 457-2400

Metropolitan Community College serves just under 19,000 students through its seven campuses and online programs. Through the South Omaha Campus and online, you can complete an associate's degree in criminal justice. The program's curriculum examines reporting techniques, interviewing, evidence rules and psychology. Additionally, graduates of an accredited police academy may receive up to 18 hours of credits towards their degree.

Southeast Community College Area - Lincoln Campus

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $2,351 for residents and $2,891 for non-residents (tuition and fees for 2011-2012 academic year)
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 11,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 301 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510
• Phone: (402) 323-3459

The criminal justice program offered at the Lincoln Campus of Southeast Community College Area includes coursework and a law enforcement internship. The core courses explore concepts in the judicial process, reporting techniques, criminal procedures, criminology and criminal investigation. A criminal background check is required of applicants to this program.

Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Programs in Omaha, NE

University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition: $6,280 for residents and $15,890 for non-residents (tuition and fees for 2011-2012 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 15,000 students (about 12,000 undergraduate)
• Address: 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68182
• Phone: (402) 554-2610

At the undergraduate level, you can earn a 125-credit-hour Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. You will be required to complete general education courses in mathematics, English, humanities and the social sciences. The program, which is available at both the Lincoln and Omaha campuses, examines concepts in criminal justice, police and society, corrections, criminal courts and research methods.

Midland University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: Four years, full-time
• Tuition: $24,810 (tuition and fees for 2011-2012 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; approximately 1,030 students (about 1,000 undergraduate)
• Address: 900 North Clarkson, Fremont, Nebraska 68025
• Phone: (800) 642-8382

The bachelor's degree program in criminal justice offered by Midland University requires 45 credit hours of core courses, including the study of statistics, sociology, cultural diversity and a criminal justice internship. You can choose from a variety of electives, such as corrections, domestic violence, juvenile justice, forensics and abnormal psychology. You can also complete this degree program as a compressed major, which includes 30-credit hours of core courses and 9-credit hours of electives.

Criminal Justice Master's Degree Program in Omaha, NE

University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Program Name: Master of Science or Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Fields of Study: Counseling, public administration
• Program Length: Three years, full-time
• Tuition: $4,302 for residents and $11,304 for non-residents (tuition and fees for 2011-2012 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Admission Requirements: GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 15,000 students (about 12,000 undergraduate)
• Address: 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68182
• Phone: (402) 554-2610

At the graduate level, you can earn a Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) in Criminology and Criminal Justice. In the 36-credit-hour M.S. program, you can concentrate in public administration or counseling and either complete a final capstone project or take a comprehensive exam prior to graduation. The 30-credit-hour M.A. program is a research-intensive program that requires the completion of a thesis. Within both programs, you complete required coursework in administration of justice, criminal research and criminal justice statistical applications.