West Virginia Criminal Justice Schools

  • 23 schools offering criminal justice degrees in West Virginia are in our database. (see below)
  • 9 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 10 of them offer bachelor’s degrees, and 4 offer a mix of bachelor’s and master’s
  • We found 1 school in West Virginia ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program; #89 West Virginia University–Morgantown, WV
  • According to Kiplinger’s, West Virginia has 2 universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”
  • 10 campus-based and online schools in West Virginia are available for requesting information.

Spotlight School

Kaplan University

Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education. Eligible students can receive college credit for prior military experience and coursework—up to 75 percent of the credit needed for a Kaplan University undergraduate degree.*

Programs:

  • MS in Criminal Justice - Law
  • MS in Criminal Justice
  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • And more...

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Profiles of Well Known Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia University: The Division of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology for students interested in law, law enforcement, or corrections. Majors are required to complete 128 hours with six hours of foundation criminology courses, nine hours of intermediate courses, and six hours of advanced courses. Students can join the Sociology Anthropology Criminology Association (SACA), with which they can form career advancing connections. Juniors and seniors can pursue one of the several already secured internship opportunities with the local County Sherriff’s Office and correctional facilities.

Mountain State University: Students within the School of Arts and Sciences at Mountain State University can pursue an Associate of Science, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, or a Master of Criminal Justice Administration. Undergraduate students choose one out of three specializations; corrections management, homeland security, or police science. The school has two criminal justice student organizations, Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society and the American Criminal Justice Association, both connecting students to correctional facility tours and firearms courses. For students that have a full work schedule, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is one of many programs MSU offers online.

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West Virginia Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers N/A N/A
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 340 $56,670
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 400 $53,560
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers 3,560 $36,250

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Respected leaders who have graduated from universities in West Virginia

  • Charleston, WV Chief of Police Brent Webster- West Virginia University
  • Huntington, WV Chief of Police W.H. “Skip” Holbrook- Marshall University, WV
Police Quote: I would suggest to young adults that education is very important and being truthful in every way and always be positive. I have been a Gang Detective for many years and was told in my early career that if you “ask a question during your investigation, and you don’t have the answer for it, your investigation is not complete.” -Gene Ballance, Vice President of the Virginia Gang Investigators Association

West Virginia Criminal Justice Degrees

Occupations in the criminal justice field are among the highest areas of annual job growth in West Virginia. Detectives, criminal investigators, correctional officers and jailers are occupations with good annual job growth rates. Corrections supervisors, probation officers, correction treatment specialists, paralegals, security guards, police and sheriff patrol officers are also in demand.

State agencies that hire criminal justice graduates include the Division of Corrections, Division of Protective Services, and West Virginia State Police. Career opportunities include probation and parole officers, investigators, police and state troopers. Some positions require a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field from an accredited university or college.

In addition to local and state jobs, the US government also provides career opportunities for graduates of criminal justice programs. Federal agencies that employ West Virginia criminal justice professionals include the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and the Department of Justice. Most of these positions require at least a bachelor’s degree for consideration.

With one of the highest prison growth rates in the country, West Virginia legislators took action to raise salaries and benefits for corrections officers to assist the Division of Corrections in recruiting and retaining more employees.

Corrections officers must have at a minimum a high school diploma and for higher paying positions, a degree or some college experience is preferred. In addition, the state provides a highly competitive benefits package which includes longevity pay and other incentives.

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West Virginia Criminal Justice Salary

Several criminal justice jobs offer attractive salaries and benefits that are competitive with other career fields. The average salary for police officers in West Virginia is $35,400 1 and police first-line supervisors earn an average of $57,130.1 Detectives and criminal investigators are paid an average salary of $54,290 1 per year. Working as a paralegal or legal assistant in the legal field will result in an average salary of $36,230.1

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West Virginia’s Criminal Justice Employment Outlook 2, 3, 4, 5

At the start of 2012, West Virginia’s unemployment rate is 7.9%, below the 8.5% national average, and it should regain pre-Downturn peak employment levels by late 2012. Government related employment, which is a good proxy for West Virginia criminal justice jobs, has average prospects with pre-Downturn peak employment levels already reached with good growth staring in 2013. The Occupational Supply & Demand System shows annual West Virginia Criminal Justice job openings with Police and Sheriff Patrol (90 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree), Detectives / Investigators / Forensic Techs (15 openings per year) and Paralegals (54 annual openings / 88% of individuals in these positions report having some college or a bachelor’s degree). According to Sunshine Review, West Virginia’s budget is perhaps in very good shape of any with a small deficit and no need to tap its nearly $500mm rainy day fund. We suggest requesting free information from several West Virginia criminal justice schools to weigh options.

Online and West Virginia Criminal Justice Schools

To learn more about earning a West Virginia criminal justice degree, 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.

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University of Phoenix
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S in Criminal Justice Administration/Cybercrimes
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services

request information

Baker College Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Criminal Justice

request information

Capella University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS - Criminal Justice
  • PhD - Criminal Justice
  • BS - Criminal Justice

request information

Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Criminal Justice, BA
  • Criminal Justice, MA (Online Only)
  • Homeland Security, BA (Online)

request information

Walden University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice 
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

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Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • MS in Criminal Justice - Law
  • MS in Criminal Justice
  • BS in Criminal Justice

request information

Post University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice

request information

Grand Canyon University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies
  • B.S. in Justice Studies
  • M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement

request information

Liberty University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice

request information

Colorado Technical University Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Human Services
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice


Tip: If you don’t live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia).

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Directory of West Virginia Universities Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

American Public University System (Charles Town, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Arts | Counter Terrorism Studies
Associate of Arts | Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Arts | Emergency and Disaster Management (online program)
Bachelor of Arts | Homeland Security
Bachelor of Arts | Security Management (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Information Systems Security
Certificate | Forensics (online program)
Certificate | Homeland Security
Certificate | Information Security Planning (online program)
Certificate | Intelligence Analysis (online program)
Certificate | Security Management (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Competitive Intelligence (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Criminal Justice (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Emergency and Disaster Management (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Homeland Security (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Intelligence Analysis (online program)
Graduate Certificate | Intelligence Studies (online program)
Graduate Certificate | National Security Studies
Graduate Certificate | Security Management (online program)
Master of Arts | Criminal Justice (online program)
Master of Arts | Emergency and Disaster Management (online program)
Master of Arts | Homeland Security (online program)
Master of Arts | Intelligence Studies
Master of Arts | National Security Studies (online program)
Master of Arts | Security Management (online program)

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (Martinsburg, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate Degree | Safety Technology
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Legal Office Assistant
Certificate | Homeland Security
Certificate | Justice System
Certificate | Safety Technology
Certification Track | Forensic Computer Examiner (online program)

Bluefield State College (Bluefield, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Corrections
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement

Fairmont State University (Fairmont, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Science
Bachelor of Science | Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science | National Security and Intelligence
Master of Science | Criminal Justice

Glenville State College (Glenville, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College (Institute, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Computer Forensics
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate in Applied Science | Criminal Justice | Law Enforcement
Collegiate Skill Set Certificate | Fingerprint Identification and Classification
Collegiate Skill Set Certificate | Private Security

Marshall University (Huntington, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Applied Science | Occupational Loss Prevention
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Computer Forensics
Bachelor of Science | Forensic Chemistry
Master of Science | Criminal Justice
Master of Science | Forensic Science

Mountain State University (Beckley, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online program)
Bachelor of Science | Forensic; Crime Scene Investigation
Master of Criminal Justice Administration | Criminal Justice Administration

Mountwest Community and Technical College (Huntington, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate in Applied Science | Law Enforcement
Associate in Applied Science | Legal Assistant
Associate in Applied Science | Police Science
Associate of Applied Science | Legal Assisting
Certificate | Police Science

New River Community and Technical College (Beckley, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Corrections
Associate of Science | Law Enforcement

Pierpont Community and Technical College (Fairmont, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Applied Science | Homeland Security

Potomac State College of West Virginia University (Keyser, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice Studies
Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice Studies
Bachelor of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Certificate | Criminal Justice

Student Review: “Potomac State College of West Virginia University is an upstanding college with an incredible criminal justice program. I had one of the best college experiences at this campus and could not have asked for a better curriculum. At the time I was in college the academics were very difficult and time consuming, however I now apply everything that I learned to my career. The professors were very understandable and truly concerned about every student’s success. The programs and the field trips were the best. We would take field trips to different prisons and jails that would allow us to see the application of what we were learning. There were studies done, socials (where the students would get together), games, and meetings for the clubs. The hands on experiences that I learned there paved the road for a successful career.” -Heather R., student at Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Student Review: “Potomac State College offers all of the great things about being an extension of a large university (West Virginia University) with the added benefit of small class size, intimate lectures, and a teaching staff devoted to seeing the students succeed. Nestled in the beautiful Appalachian mountain range, the school campus is full of the ease of rural life while still being close to major cities. PSC offers a huge variety of degrees, from engineering to nursing, and it’s extremely easy to transfer to WVU. My time at PSC was brightened by the great professors, who were more than willing to keep long office hours, and the student life on campus. The only drawbacks are the lack of city life in town, the slow Wifi, and the lack of diversity a rural setting creates.” -Kendra R., student at Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Salem International University (Salem, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: CSI

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (Mount Gay, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice-Corrections
Associate of Science | Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement
Certificate | Criminal Justice

West Liberty University (West Liberty, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

West Virginia Business College-Wheeling (Wheeling, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Certificate | Legal Secreterial Technology

West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown (Charleston, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Legal Office Assistant
Associate of Science | Legal Assistant

West Virginia Northern Community College (Wheeling, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice
Associate of Science | Legal Office

West Virginia State University (Institute, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science | Criminology and Investigations

West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Parkersburg, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

West Virginia Wesleyan College (Buckhannon, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice | Corrections
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice | Criminal Law
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice | Policing

Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, WV)
Criminal Justice Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

References:
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WV.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)

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.