Criminal Justice Schools in West Virginia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ñcrime scene houseî, 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.