Criminal Justice Schools in West Virginia
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.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$7,848
- Out-of-state$19,584
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate56%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled1,481
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Fairmont State University
- Fairmont, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,022
- Out-of-state$15,638
- In-State$7,474
- Out-of-state$18,054
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled3,498
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
Marshall University
- Huntington, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,604
- Out-of-state$19,658
- In-State$7,520
- Out-of-state$20,072
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled10,835
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
West Virginia State University
- Institute, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,856
- Out-of-state$14,544
- In-State$9,168
- Out-of-state$19,974
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled3,785
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Glenville State University
- Glenville, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,044
- Out-of-state$9,704
- In-State$8,280
- Out-of-state$8,280
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,630
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
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.
| 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 | 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.
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
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
