Criminal Justice Degree Course Expectations
There are several different areas that somebody can work with after obtaining a degree in criminal justice. Homeland security and different careers that involve border patrol are prominent throughout Texas and many times will require different levels of education in criminal justice.
There are several large corrections facilities that a person might choose to gain employment at after receiving a degree in criminology or becoming a parole officer if a corrections facility does not sound appealing to you.
Houston is actually the largest city in Texas with Fort Worth and El Paso not far behind in terms of overall population. Some other Texas demographic and census data according to the government census shows the population breakdown related to education (source):
- 2013 Population Estimate: 26,448,193
- Persons under 18 make up over 25 percent of the population (very relevant to show how many will be interested in secondary education and criminal justice)
- Persons over the age of 25 with a high school degree: 80.8 percent
- Persons over the age of 25 with a bachelor degree: 26.3 percent
You can see that there are a lot of facts pointing to a solid educational presence in Texas. You will see from the further breakdown below that criminal justice and criminology degrees are a part of that presence.
Different Universities with Criminal Justice Degrees at All Levels
There are different options when trying to gain a degree in criminal justice that include brick and mortar traditional universities or even online universities. There are also non-traditional universities that are for-profit schools in different programs. You will need to do some research on which schools are required for the career you would like to get into as the state of Texas has a wide variety of careers and requirements for each of those.
Criminology Degrees in Texas
Other factors can contribute to the educational aspect of criminology in Texas as two of the five body farms in the US are actually located in the state. Texas State University and Sam Houston State University are where these body farms are located which provide insights into criminal justice (especially for those interested in forensic pathology).
The body farm at Texas State University has a vast amount of land that can be used as the body farm (Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State aka FACTS) continues to grow in size and technology. You don hat need to feel that this is the only opportunity for criminal justice colleges in Texas as there are a variety of different options for future students considering a criminology degree program.
Each school and program my offer something different regarding their available technology or even specific curriculum around various criminal justice degrees. Identify your desired degree and find the right school in Texas that offers the best academic program for you.
Texas Criminal Justice Organizations
For those that are looking into the different education options within Texas, you can also reach out to some of the different Texas organizations for insights and help while searching for your degree path. Below are a few of those organizations.
- Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
- Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
- Wikipedia has Full List of Enforcement Agencies in Texas
You can try to reach out and make contacts within these organizations that can help you better understand what will be required of you while trying to earn your criminal justice degree and what to expect afterwards. You may also find that if you’re able to make a contact like this you could potentially have a job contact with direct ties to the criminal justice industry within Texas and help you potentially get a job someday.
Texas Criminal Justice Careers
When you look at the state of Texas and the wide range of career opportunities you can have after attaining a degree in criminal justice, you will need to decide on the career that fits your skills. General activities you can expect to do in a criminal justice career include:
- Observations: being able to obtain information by reviewing the details of different situations and people.
- Knowledge of Texas state and national law codes: knowing the proper legal procedures and different government regulations to make sure process is followed.
- Detailed reporting of investigations or criminal justice activities for record keeping.
- Ability to utilize surveillance cameras and other security technology during criminal investigations.
Administration of people if you anticipate trying to move into management positions in whatever criminal justice organization you join.
Top Criminal Justice Jobs in Texas
When you look at the job ecosystem in Texas for criminal justice and criminology graduates, there are several different opportunities. There are roughly 279 county sheriff offices, 229 city police departments, over 60 college and university agencies, and several more different law enforcement agencies in Texas that can allow you to utilize your criminal justice degree.
source Texas also has their state department of criminal justice that offers a variety of jobs requiring varying levels of degrees depending on the job. Some of the other agencies you can look to for criminal justice jobs include the Amarillo Airport Police, Dallas County Hospital District Police Department, San Antonio Park Police, and Port of Galveston Police. So make sure that you don hat limit your career opportunities to well-known areas of criminal justice jobs in Texas and think about some of nontraditional options too.
Texas Criminal Justice Job Outlook
According to ONET there are a lot of positive signs pointing to a growing criminal justice job outlook in Texas. The median yearly salary according to statistics in the United States for Criminal Investigators is $76,700 whereas the Texas median salary is $84,200.
That means Texas is almost 10 percent higher than the national average for media salaries in criminal justice. As of 2010, Texas saw an employment number of 17,260 total criminal investigator positions and is expected to be at 21,040 by 2020 which shows a strong level of growth. You can also see Texas specific job details in the following links if you have questions about whether you would make a good candidate for each department.
- Correctional Officer Salary Information
- Applying for a TDCJ Correctional Officer Position and Testing Information
- Physical Agility Test
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice Jobs
Understand what physical and mental demands each type of job in criminal justice can require in order to make a career choice that is right for you.
List of Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
All Criminal Justice Programs
See below for the list of all of the Criminal Justice in Texas. Find the best program for you online or in Texas.- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Correctional Science
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Police Administration
- Basic Law Enforcement Certificate
- Correctional Administration Certificate
- Correctional Science Certificate
- Crime Scene Technician Certificate
- Law Enforcement and Police Administration Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Online
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate Online
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Correctional Systems Studies Certificate
- Criminal Justice Law Certificate
- Law Enforcement Studies Certificate
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- Police Administration Certificate
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Forensic Psychology
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Management
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Police
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Security Management
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Substance Abuse
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Texas Peace Officer Sequence Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Certificate - Basic Peace Officer Academy
- Criminal Justice Certificate - Corrections
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Basic Peace Officer Licensure Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Basic Criminal Justice Certificate
- Criminal Justice - Criminal Forensics Certificate
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- Bachelors of Technical Management - Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice - Criminal Forensics Certificate
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Computer Crime and Digital Evidence Certificate
- Crime Scene Technology Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice Studies
- Criminal Justice Technology Certificate
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Crime Scene Technology
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice Security Threat
- A.A.S. in Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice Security Threat Certificate
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- Criminal Justice Corrections Certificate
- Forensic Science Institutional Award Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice in Police Academy Certificate
- Criminal Justice in Security Guard Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Law Enforcement Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement Certificate
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Court
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - International Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Graduate Certificate in Administration of Justice
- M.P.A. in Administration of Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice - Criminal Forensics Certificate
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Law Enforcement
- Law Enforcement Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice - County Corrections Certificate
- Criminal Justice Certificate/Enhanced Peace Officer Certification
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.S. in Law Enforcement Forensics
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science
- A.A. in Criminal Justice Online
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice
- Associates of Criminal Justice Online
- Associates of Criminal Justice Online
- Associates of Criminal Justice Online
- Associates of Criminal Justice Online
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- M.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management - Military Only Online
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Online
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- M.S. in Forensic Science
- M.S. in Security Studies
- Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Social Services
- Criminal Justice Corrections Certificate
- Criminal Justice Crime Scene Specialty Certificate
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Certificate
- Criminal Justice Social Services Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice Online
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A in Criminal Justice Online
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Technology
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Technology Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Masters of Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Basic Peace Officer Certification
- Security Management Certificate
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Certificate
- A.A. in Criminal Justice Administration
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
- Criminal Justice Administration Certificate
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- Forensics and Investigative Sciences Certificate
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Management Certificate
- Masters in Applied Criminology Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies - Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Administration of Justice
- M.S. in Administration of Justice
- Ph.D. in Administration of Justice
- Bachelors of Criminal Justice
- Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Corrections
- Bachelors of Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
- M.A. in Forensic Examiniation
- M.A. in Forensic Science
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Online
- M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice - Forensic Investigation
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Correctional Administration
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Police Administration
- B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Online
- Forensic Investigation Certificate
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Justice Policy
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Investigations
- B.A. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- M.A.I.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.A.I.S. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Forensic Science Certificate
- Graduate Academic Certificate in Police Management
- M.S. in Criminal Justice
- M.S. in Forensic and Investigative Genetics
- M.S. in Forensic Genetics
- Ph.D. in Forensic and Investigative Genetics
- A.A. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Cybercrimes Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Institutional Health Care
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Institutional Health Care Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Security Online
- B.S. in Organizational Security and Management Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security - Global and Homeland Security Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security - Law Enforcement Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security Online
- A.A. in Criminal Justice Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Cybercrimes Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Institutional Health Care
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Institutional Health Care Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Security Online
- B.S. in Organizational Security and Management Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security - Global and Homeland Security Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security - Law Enforcement Online
- M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security Online
- A.S. in Criminal Justice
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- Police Academy Training Certificate
- A.A.S. in Justice Administration
- B.A. in Justice Administration
- B.A.S. in Justice Administration
- B.S. in Justice Administration
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration Online
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration Online
- M.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- A.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice
- B.A. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration