Criminal Justice Schools in West Virginia
Academic and Professional Information for Current and Prospective Students
A degree in criminal justice can help individuals begin or advance career in West Virginia. From big cities like Charleston to villages such as Windsor Heights, employers in the field of criminal justice are looking for qualified new hires and for current employees continuing their education. A degree in criminal justice can provide an invaluable stepping stone for someone interested in joining a wide variety of West Virginia occupations such as private investigator, court reporter, correctional officer, and beyond. Start the journey today and continue reading to learn more about criminal justice schools in West Virginia and the doors a degree can open.
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TOP CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCHOOLS IN WEST VIRGINIA
OUR METHODOLOGY +
To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria: Accredited at the institutional level Private nonprofit or public school Minimum of 1 bachelor’s or master’s degree in subject area for 4-year schools Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools Schools were then scored on factors such as: Cost & Financial Aid Number and variety of program offerings Student-teacher ratios Graduation rates (4-year schools only) Placement and support services offered Academic/Career counseling services Employment services Loan default rates These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or “bang for your buck” of a college or degree program.Look below to find a list of 2017’s best criminal justice schools in West Virginia. These schools were picked and ranked based on up-to-date statistics such as tuition cost, total enrollment, student-to-teacher ratios, and acceptance rates. With hours of research condensed down to a streamlined list, you can start on the road to a degree or certificate in criminal justice faster.
Top 2-Year Criminal Justice Schools in West Virginia
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POPULAR CRIMINAL JUSTICE OCCUPATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
Armed with a degree or certificate in criminal justice, graduates are well on their way to improved job performance or even a new career in the field. Of course, different jobs have different requirements, so look below to see what some popular criminal justice careers in West Virginia require as well as what their employment numbers and median salaries are.
Police, Sheriff & Highway Patrol Officers
- Total Employed in West Virginia3,750
- Median Salary in West Virginia$41,100
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaAcademy Program
Correctional Officer
- Total Employed in West Virginia3,250
- Median Salary in West Virginia$28,830
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaCertification
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
- Total Employed in West Virginia2,140
- Median Salary in West Virginia$39,620
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaVaries; up to Bachelor’s
Court, Municipal and License Clerks
- Total Employed in West Virginia1,290
- Median Salary in West Virginia$30,910
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaVaries; up to Bachelor’s
Compliance Officer
- Total Employed in West Virginia1,100
- Median Salary in West Virginia$50,120
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaBachelor’s
Probation Officer
- Total Employed in West Virginia810
- Median Salary in West Virginia$36,370
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaBachelor’s
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Total Employed in West Virginia360
- Median Salary in West Virginia$41,290
- Degree Level Required in West VirginiaVaries; up to Bachelor’s
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS IN WEST VIRGINIA IN COMPARISON TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
West Virginia has a fast-growing economy; in 2014, for example, West Virginia tied with Wyoming for the third largest increase in GDP in the United States. Criminal Justice and other closely related fields are no exception for this economic growth. Recent Criminal Justice graduates are not facing a shrinking job market, but rather one that is growing in a variety of ways.
Salary
| Job | National | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | 73,180 | 93,140 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | 51,490 | 53,440 |
| Crossing Guards | 27,220 | 29,190 |
| Transportation Security Screeners | 38,580 | 40,050 |
| Security Guards | 25,750 | 29,730 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | 73,180 | 93,140 |
| Court Reporters | 52,120 | 56,940 |
| Bailiffs | 26,230 | 45,740 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015
Job Growth
| Job | National | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Court Reporters | 0.015 | 0.026 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | -0.012 | 0.033 |
| Police, Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 0.007 | 0.05 |
| Transportation Security Screeners | -0.09 | 0.19 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | -0.063 | 0.007 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | -0.036 | 0.008 |
| Judges, Magistrates, and Magistrates | 0.006 | 0.014 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 0.049 | 0.214 |
Source: Projections Central, 2015
WEST VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATES
A degree in criminal justice can help provide dozens of opportunities in West Virginia. While some careers may not directly require a degree, many West Virginia employers appreciate the initiative, training, and skills that come with a criminal justice degree. A student of criminal justice can put their education to work in fields such as law enforcement, fish and game, courthouse administration, private law practices, and many more.
LARGEST AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT IN DESCENDING ORDER
Protective service
Charleston
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area
Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area
Huntington
Beckley
Legal service
Charleston
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area
Huntington
Wheeling
Morgantown
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN WEST VIRGINIA
BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES
CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES
COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES
LEGAL RESOURCES
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES
WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES