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Education & Childcare career
Criminal Justice Professor
Also called: Criminology Professor · Criminal Justice Faculty · Law Enforcement Instructor · Justice Studies Professor
What criminal justice professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a criminal justice professor do?
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in criminal justice, corrections and law enforcement administration. The median pay is $76,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +1.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$76,590Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+1.5%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year1,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train5–7 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs15,700Employment, 2025
What criminal justice professors do
Criminal justice professors teach how the justice system works. They teach policing, courts, corrections, criminology and victimology, prepare students for law enforcement and legal careers, research crime trends and policy, and partner with agencies.
Many have a Ph.D. in criminology or criminal justice; community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree and law enforcement experience.
Typical duties
- Teach criminal justice courses
- Prepare students for justice careers
- Conduct research on crime and policy
- Partner with agencies
- Advise students
- Publish research
- Serve on committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in classrooms, offices and with justice agencies.
Schedule: Teaching, research and service, with evening classes for working students.
A day in the life
- Teach intro to criminal justice.
- Hold office hours.
- Analyze crime data.
- Teach a corrections course.
See a full day in the life of a criminal justice professor →
Criminal Justice Professor salary
Half of criminal justice professors earned more than $76,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $45,000 for the lowest 10% to $140,240 for the top 10%.
Full criminal justice professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a criminal justice professor
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Gain field experience
- Earn a master’s
- Earn a Ph.D.
- Get hired
A Ph.D. in criminology or criminal justice is typical for universities; community colleges may accept a master’s plus field experience.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a criminal justice professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Criminology
- Justice system knowledge
- Research methods
- Statistics
- Policy analysis
People skills
- Communication
- Objectivity
- Mentoring
- Facilitation
All criminal justice professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Relevant, engaging subject
- Agency partnerships
- Career preparation focus
- Flexible schedule
Cons
- Competitive tenure track
- Sensitive topics
- Lower pay for academia
- Data access challenges
Certifications and licenses
- Ph.D. in criminology: Doctoral degree.
- Law enforcement experience: Valued.
- POST instructor certification: For academy teaching.
- Research grants: NIJ and others.
Career path
- Instructor: Teach.
- Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Chair: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Criminal Justice Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach with case studies and analyze crime trend data, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Criminal Justice Professor vs. Police Officer · Criminal Justice Professor vs. Probation Officer · Criminal Justice Professor vs. Detective · Criminal Justice Professor vs. Law Professor
Criminal Justice Professor FAQ
Do criminal justice professors need a Ph.D.?
Usually at universities.
Is field experience valued?
Yes, especially at community colleges.
What do they research?
Crime trends, policing, courts and corrections.
How much does a criminal justice professor make?
The median annual wage for criminal justice professors was $76,590 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,000 and the highest 10% earned more than $140,240.
How long does it take to become a criminal justice professor?
Most people need about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in criminology or criminal justice is typical for universities; community colleges may accept a master’s plus field experience.
Do you need a degree to be a criminal justice professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree and professional experience.
More criminal justice professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1111 (Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.