Criminal Justice Schools in Montana
Those considering careers in legal or protective services in Montana can look to the state’s criminal justice schools for educational options. Though Montana boasts a lower crime rate than the national average and a steadily decreasing violent crime rate since 2003, the state’s criminal justice schools prepares students for a variety of career paths in law, crime prevention, investigation and enforcement. Explore the different degree programs criminal justice schools in Montana provide and the careers they prepare students for, including in-state salary data and resources available for prospective students.
Prospective students might question which criminal justice school in Montana will provide the best education with the most value. As students explore their educational and professional options, they can reference the list below, ranking the best criminal justice schools in Montana based on important factors such as tuition rates, enrollment numbers and student-to-teacher ratios.
Best Criminal Justice Schools in Montana
Great Falls College
Great Falls, MT- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Criminal justice classes at the University of Great Falls examine the sociological aspects of the field, guiding students towards the helping nature of their future professions. Students will learn about the different jobs that they can pursue with a criminal justice background, and understand the roles and responsibilities of these jobs. Graduates of the program often find work in law enforcement, private security, corrections, and probation; they also enter graduate study programs in sociology, law, and criminal justice. Students who need assistance can contact the school's student support services department, which offers workshops, mentoring, financial aid counseling, and tutoring.
- In-State$2,834
- Out-of-state$10,636
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled1,185
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Montana State University-Northern
- Havre, MT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Montana State University-Northern guides students seeking careers in law enforcement and homeland security through its criminal justice program. Curriculum covers a wide range of topics, from the legal system to crime prevention, with additional training in conflict management and psychology. Instructors are experienced professionals who have held criminal justice roles in rural and metropolitan areas, bringing their experiences into the classroom to help students gage where they would like to work. Both current students and alumni can access the university's career center to reach a network of employment services, from resume and cover letter assistance to on-campus recruiting.
- In-State$4,496
- Out-of-state$17,096
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$18,686
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled1,050
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
Montana State University Billings
- Billings, MT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The criminal justice program at Montana State University-Billings leads to an undergraduate degree with a focus on sociology, criminology and ethics, and corrections. Students can also earn a two-year degree with a concentration in criminal justice from MSU Billings City College, a two-year college within the university that offers university transfer and career preparation. This program focuses on basic knowledge of policing, crime, and courts, as well as critical thinking and effective communication skills that benefit a professional in the criminal justice environment. To ensure a successful degree path, students can consult the school's advising services for information regarding required courses for an on-time graduation.
- In-State$4,485
- Out-of-state$17,678
- In-State$5,878
- Out-of-state$19,542
- Retention Rate57%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,114
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Common Criminal Justice Occupations in Montana
Earning a degree is a big decision, and the best way for students to know if their time, efforts and investment will pay off is to look at their career prospects after graduation. Take a look at the most popular careers for criminal justice school grads in Montana below. Keeping earning potential in mind, each outlines the salaries and amount of jobs available for the top seven careers in the criminal justice field in the state.
Criminal Justice in Montana Compared to National Averages
Those considering criminal justice school in Montana have some positive stats to consider when comparing the state’s legal and protective service workers to national averages. Students enrolled in criminal justice schools in Montana will have some of the following career options available to them—many of which are expected to see significant growth in the coming years. This section breaks down the growth projections for specific criminal justice jobs in Montana compared to national averages, as well as the salaries these workers make.
| Job | National | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Private Detectives, Investigators | 47,810 | 52,840 |
| Detectives, Criminal Investigators | 75,130 | 79,620 |
| Paralegals, Legal Assistants | 44,320 | 52,390 |
| Bailiffs | 30,910 | 44,900 |
| Correctional Officers | 35,840 | 45,320 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | 39,460 | 59,910 |
| Transportation Security Screeners | 38,090 | 40,050 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 42,620 | 54,970 |
| Gaming Surveillance, Investigator | 30,790 | 33,880 |
| Job | National | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Probation Officers | 0.036 | 0.065 |
| Compliance Officers | 0.033 | 0.093 |
| Court Clerks | 0.045 | 0.122 |
| Detectives, Criminal Investigators | -0.012 | 0.05 |
| Judges, Magistrates | 0.007 | 0.106 |
| Lawyers | 0.056 | 0.109 |
| Paralegals | 0.076 | 0.205 |
| Police, Sheriff, Patrol Officers | 0.05 | 0.128 |
| Court Clerks | 0.045 | 0.122 |
Where to Work After Criminal Justice School in Montana
Along with determining a specific field of study at criminal justice school, Montana students can benefit from understanding where their career could take them in the state geographically. In order to make informed decisions about where to earn a criminal justice degree, consider where the top employment areas for criminal justice professionals are in the state.
- Protective Services
Potential Employers: Montana Department of Corrections; Montana Department of Justice; Billings Police Department Investigations Division; Flathead County Sheriff’s Office; City of Bozeman Police Department; Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Great Falls Public Schools; Billings Parks and Recreation
Total Number of Employees in Montana: 7,590 - Legal Occupations
Potential Employers: Private Practice Law Firms; Montana Supreme Court; Missoula County District Court; Montana Workers’ Compensation Court; Montana Attorney General’s Office; private corporations; State of Montana
Total Number of Employees in Montana: 3,530
