Criminal Justice Schools in West Virginia

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on November 6, 2024

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

Look below to find a list of the 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.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

  • Beckley, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus
  • Accredited

To give students real experiences in criminal justice before graduation, WVU Tech includes a 300-hour practicum completed in courtrooms, police department's, juvenile centers and the Department of Natural Resources among other settings, as part of the course curriculum. 

The bachelor degree program at WVU Tech in criminal justice is malleable to fit individual needs, allowing students to choose an emphasis, minor or double major in areas such as political science and sociology. The program is designed for future careers in corrections and law enforcement, homeland security and in courtrooms ranging from the local to federal level. 

61%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,848

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

56%

Retention Rate

$19,584

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
1,481
Institution Type
Public
#2

Fairmont State University

  • Fairmont, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Fairmont State University's modernized lab facilities enable criminal justice students to better understand and analyze fingerprinting, crime scenes and weaponry. Establishing a base education in research and active learning, students can enter a courtroom on campus and participate in mock trial classes.

Offering a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, the program readies students for careers as correctional officers, detectives, DEA agents and other opportunities. Moreover students may be employed in the privatized security industry or at any level of government office. Internship opportunities are available through the program but are competitive. 

70%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,022

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

63%

Retention Rate

$15,638

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
98%
Students Enrolled
3,498
Institution Type
Public
#3

Marshall University

  • Huntington, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

For careers in criminal justice, students at Marshall University begin with a bachelor of arts degree program that emphasizes public service leadership, research, forensics and multicultural sensitivity. The BA in criminal justice and criminology can be applied to employment in courtrooms, prisons, justice departments and social services and is also the stepping block for entrance into law or graduate school. 

Students at Marshall have the unique opportunity to study forensics with a number of courses centered on crime scene investigation. Additionally internships can be arranged for course credit through speaking with an advisor. An online minor in criminal justice is available as well. 

54%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,604

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

74%

Retention Rate

$19,658

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
97%
Students Enrolled
10,835
Institution Type
Public
#4

West Virginia State University

  • Institute, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

The department of criminal justice at West Virginia State University endeavors to teach students the reasons for crime in society and profile those who commit crimes. The department offers a criminal justice bachelor degree program and a cornucopia of specialized certificate programs designed for career enhancement. Law enforcement, corrections, investigation and general criminal justice studies are areas in which bachelor and associate degree holders can earn a specialization certificate. 

To obtain baccalaureate honors, students complete 120 credit hours that form the foundation of criminal justice education. Additionally WVSU has an online degree program for students and a master's program in criminal justice administration. 

38%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

61%

Retention Rate

$14,544

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
96%
Students Enrolled
3,785
Institution Type
Public
#5

Glenville State University

  • Glenville, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Located in the heart of West Virginia, Glenville State College is a small university offering intimate class sizes. Glenville's criminal justice programs include both an associate and bachelor degree program as well as an option to minor in the area. The criminal justice department has a permanent crime scene house, a real house in fact, located on campus that is used for conducting forensic investigations. 

These simulations are especially useful for students concentrating their criminal justice BS in field forensics. Students may also choose an administration of justice concentration within the criminal justice major. 

53%

Online Enrollment

$8,044

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

65%

Retention Rate

$9,704

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Students Enrolled
1,630
Institution Type
Public

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.

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 Comparison
JobNationalWest Virginia
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers73,18093,140
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers51,49053,440
Crossing Guards27,22029,190
Transportation Security Screeners38,58040,050
Security Guards25,75029,730
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers73,18093,140
Court Reporters52,12056,940
Bailiffs26,23045,740

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

Job Growth Comparison
JobNationalWest Virginia
Court Reporters0.0150.026
Detectives and Criminal Investigators-0.0120.033
Police, Sheriff’s Patrol Officers0.0070.05
Transportation Security Screeners-0.090.19
Judicial Law Clerks-0.0630.007
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers-0.0360.008
Judges, Magistrates, and Magistrates0.0060.014
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary0.0490.214

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.

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    Protective Services

    Potential Employers: Kanawha County Court Bailiff; Salem Correctional Center Corrections Case Manager; Huntington Police Detective, Family Crimes Unit; West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officer; Morgantown Parking Authority Officer; Harpers Ferry K9-Unit Patrol Officer; InvestiGate Private Detective; Wheeling Island Casino Enforcement Officer; G4S Secure Solutions Security Guard; Monongalia County Schools Crossing Guard; Pipestream Resort State Park Lifeguard; Yeager Regional Airport Security Screener

    Total Number of Employees in West Virginia: 16,430

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    Legal Occupations

    Potential Employers: Personal Injury Attorney for Gitras Law Firm; Law Clerk for 5th Circuit Judge; Point Pleasant Department of Transportation Hearing Officer; Supreme Court of West Virginia Family Court Mediator; Barbour County Magistrate; Masters Law Firm Litigation Paralegal; Streski Certified Realtime Reporter; G&P Oil and Energy Title Examiner; Warner Law Offices Legal Secretary

    Total Number of Employees in West Virginia: 5,580