Criminal Justice Degree Schools » Criminal Justice Schools » Mississippi Criminal Justice Degree Schools

Mississippi Criminal Justice Degree Schools

In Mississippi, earning a criminal justice degree can lead you to several rewarding careers. While Mississippi has struggled recently with the natural disasters and man-made economic woes, the state is staging a comeback, creating great opportunities for those with the right training to capitalize on its revival.

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The criminal justice field presents a diverse number of job opportunities in several fast growing fields. A degree in criminal justice can help you qualify for many positions in law enforcement at the state and federal level. If you are interested in working a law firm, a paralegal degree can prepare you for this growing career field. Cybersecurity careers have a positive outlook as governments and businesses look for help protecting their assets from the growing number of cyber attacks.

Many criminal justice careers offer competitive pay and great benefits. Police officers earn an average yearly salary of $31,430 1 in Mississippi while first line supervisors earn an average of $52,170.1 Corrections officers earn an average of $25,790 1 and paralegals and legal assistants earn an average of $38,190 1 in the state according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates.

Qualified, educated applicants will be needed to fill those positions, and Mississippi is home to a number of institutions of higher learning with degree programs in criminal justice. Read More +

There are several accredited colleges where graduates have achieved success working for the Secret Service, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. These programs administer a full range of degree programs, from bachelor’s to master’s in administration of justice, and MS or BS degrees in forensic science. Classes can be taken at a campus in Mississippi or remotely through online programs that allow you to work at your own pace from your home.

If you live in Mississippi, we recommend the following accredited campus-based and online criminal justice programs for students interested in pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the growing field of criminal justice.

Mississippi’s Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 2, 3, 4, 5

At the start of 2012, Mississippi’s unemployment stubbornly stands at 10.4%, nearly 2 percentage points above the national average, and USA Today / Moody’s Analytics projects it to regain it pre-Downturn peak by Q2 2014. Government related employment, which is a good proxy for Mississippi criminal justice jobs, has average prospects with pre-Downturn peak employment levels already matched and growth projected in 2013. According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security site and the Occupational Supply & Demand System, high demand criminal justice occupations in Mississippi include: Police and Sheriff Patrol (300 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Correctional Officers (260 annual openings / 60% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Detectives / Investigators / Forensic Techs (30 annual openings), Security Guards (515 annual openings) and Paralegals (80 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree). According the to the Sunshine Review, Mississippi’s state budget is in a moderate deficit with some funding loss from federal government. It possesses a Rainy Day fund garnered from energy resources. Mississippi represents a state where an investment in a Mississippi criminal justice degree should provide an edge in pursuing the growing number of open positions in the criminal justice field. We suggest requesting free information from several schools to weigh options.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees, Schools, Certificates and Programs

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Kaplan University
Popular Degrees:

  • A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice/Computer Crime

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Everest University Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate's in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
  • Associate's in Homeland Security
  • Bachelor's in Homeland Security
  • Associate's in Criminal Investigations

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Keiser University

    Popular Degrees:
  • Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
  • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security
  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Safety

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Post University
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies
  • Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management for Registered Nurse
  • Forensic Accounting Certificate

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Virginia College
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science - Cybersecurity

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Rasmussen College
Popular Degrees:

  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
  • Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Psychology

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Strayer University
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Systems - Homeland Security and Information Systems
  • Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Bachelor of Business Administration - Legal Studies

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University of Phoenix
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
  • Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security
  • Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security Management
  • Master of Public Administration

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Walden University
Popular Degrees:

  • Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
  • Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Homeland Security Policy
  • M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Information Systems and Security
  • M.S. in Forensic Psychology - Psychology & Legal Systems
  • Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Administration
  • B.S. in Psychology - Criminal Justice
  • PhD in Public Policy/Admin - Terrorism/Mediation/Peace

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Test Drive College Online
If you are thinking about online college but you’re not sure if it's for you, you should apply for Test Drive College Online. It is the only program that provides students with the opportunity to "try" online learning by taking a real college course online at no cost or obligation. Plus, the credits you earn may save you up to $2000 in tuition when you apply them toward a full degree. Get Started!


Criminal Justice Schools in Mississippi

Alcorn State University (Alcorn State, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Antonelli College (Jackson, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Business Office Technology: Legal Assisting
Associate Degree | Legal Assistant/Secretary

Coahoma Community College (Clarksdale, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Wesson, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Arts | Criminal Justice

Delta State University (Cleveland, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)

Hinds Community College (Raymond, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Court Reporting Technology
Certificate | Court Reporting Technology

Holmes Community College (Goodman, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Conservation Law Enforcement Technology
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Itawamba Community College (Fulton, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice and Correctional Services

Jackson State University (Jackson, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Master of Arts | Criminology and Justice Services

Jones County Junior College (Ellisville, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Social Science

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Northwest Mississippi Community College (Senatobia, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice
Associate of Arts | Pre-Forensic Chemistry

The University of Mississippi (University, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Administration of Justice
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Science
Doctor of Philosophy | Administration of Justice
Master of Arts | Administration of Justice
Master of Science | Administration of Justice
Master of Science | Forensic Science

Virginia College (Biloxi, MS)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associates of Science | Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science | Paralegal Studies (online program)

References:
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_MS.htm
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/lau/ see state on page for current unemployment rate
(3) USA TODAY/Moody’s Analytics/BLS: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-06-new-jobs-growth-graphic_N.htm
(4) Occupational Supply & Demand System / OCDS Georgia State University for the U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=2&ST=ZZ
(5) The Sunshine Review: http://sunshinereview.org/core/home (select state budget button)