Academic Programs and Career Trajectories for Students
Despite being ranked by Law Street Media as one of the most dangerous states in the country in 2015, the law enforcement community has made great strides to reduce crime—thanks in part to the work of graduates from criminal justice schools in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, violent offenses in the state dropped 2.1 percent between 2014 and 2015.
Making a difference in the community is why many people pursue criminal justice careers. And whether they want to walk the beat or sit behind the bench, professionals can get a solid foundation for their careers by completing a degree program at one of Tennessee's colleges. Read this page to find out information about criminal justice schools in Tennessee, as well as the jobs that graduates can obtain and the salaries they earn.
AccreditedSchools电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录).org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Top 电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录) Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Tennessee's Best Criminal Justice Programs
All students want to enroll in the best programs—but they may need help finding them first. To help with this, we've analyzed and ranked schools across the state based on factors such as teacher-student ratio, and acceptance and enrollment rates. Use the list below to find the highest ranking criminal justice schools in Tennessee.
4-Year Colleges
-
Christian Brothers UniversityLocation
Memphis, TN
Students attending Christian Brothers University offers a bachelor's degree program in professional psychology with an optional concentration in criminal justice. Core requirements offer a solid foundation in psychology focused on the study of human behavior, while remaining credit courses are derived from the area of concentration. The criminal justice concentration is designed to guide students toward careers in law enforcement, corrections, counseling, and other potential facets of the justice system. Hybrid classes are available to offer flexible scheduling and require only one on-campus meeting per week, supplemented with coursework in an online learning environment.
-
Bethel UniversityLocation
Mckenzie, TN
Catered to professionals with busy schedules, the Bethel University College of Professional Studies offers a fully online bachelor's degree completion program in criminal justice. Accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College, the institution focuses its mission on fostering success for professionals and adult learners through both classroom knowledge and real-world experience. The required course curriculum includes 48 credit hours of major-specific coursework and offers an introduction to adult learning as part of the curriculum, in addition to a foundation of knowledge in forensics, criminal procedures, statistics, and corrections.
-
East Tennessee State UniversityLocation
Johnson City, TN
Three criminal justice degree options are available through East Tennessee State University: undergraduate options include a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science, each with a focus on social and behavioral science and offering a broad spectrum knowledge base of criminal justice and criminology; the graduate level program is more acutely focused on developing analytical skills and communication while providing a detailed look into criminal behavior and operations within the criminal justice system. A certification in forensic document examination is also newly available at the graduate level. The field experience option provides course credit for work within agencies and courts.
-
Middle Tennessee State UniversityLocation
Murfreesboro, TN
The criminal justice administration program at Middle Tennessee State University offers both graduate and undergraduate degree path options. Accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the program offers a bachelor's degree with concentration path in either homeland security or law enforcement, as well as minors in criminal justice administration and homeland security. Graduate students are offered the option of a master's degree in criminal justice. 电竞赚钱决赛积分(电竞赚钱详情登录) course options are available, as well as a closely-related degree in forensic science which combines the fields of biology, chemistry and criminal justice administration.
-
University of MemphisLocation
Memphis, TN
Students pursuing careers in the field of criminal justice can achieve a bachelor's or master's degree in the field through the University of Memphis. The bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice requires a total of 120 credits and can be completed in 4 years when following the major course plan set forth by the university. The graduate degree program is housed within the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, which applies a strong focus on building rapport within the community,. Both degree paths have online course options or can be combined with on-campus course work.
-
Tennessee State UniversityLocation
Nashville, TN
-
Cumberland UniversityLocation
Lebanon, TN
-
Freed-Hardeman UniversityLocation
Henderson, TN
-
Lincoln Memorial UniversityLocation
Harrogate, TN
-
The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaLocation
Chattanooga, TN
-
The University of Tennessee-MartinLocation
Martin, TN
-
King UniversityLocation
Bristol, TN
-
Austin Peay State UniversityLocation
Clarksville, TN
-
Bryan College-DaytonLocation
Dayton, TN
-
Le Moyne-Owen CollegeLocation
Memphis, TN
-
Remington CollegeLocation
Garland, TX
-
Trevecca Nazarene UniversityLocation
Nashville, TN
-
Martin Methodist CollegeLocation
Pulaski, TN
-
Tennessee Wesleyan CollegeLocation
Athens, TN
-
Lane CollegeLocation
Jackson, TN
2-Year Colleges
-
Columbia State Community CollegeLocation
Columbia, TN
Classes in Columbia State Community College's two-year criminal justice degree program are broad enough to provide adults sufficient training to potentially enter several criminal justice careers. Included among these careers are probation officers, private security officers, police officers and criminal and civil investigators. It takes 60 credits to earn an associate of applied science at Columbia State Community College. Classroom learning is strengthened with hands on training. Students can learn how to operate law enforcement equipment. They can also practice writing reports and conducting investigations. Good physical fitness, math and communications skills assist students throughout the program.
-
Walters State Community CollegeLocation
Morristown, TN
Walters State Community College is located in Morristown, Tennessee which is in the Eastern part of the state. The college started in 1970. It enrolls about 5,900 students in credit courses. The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program operates within the college's public safety division. Sociology, corrections, law enforcement and the legal process are practical and theoretical topics presented by instructors. The 60 credit hour program can be completed online as well as on campus. Although applications are accepted online, new students are encouraged to meet with an advisor before they register for classes.
-
Volunteer State Community CollegeLocation
Gallatin, TN
Volunteer State Community College is part of the Gallatin, Tennessee public postsecondary school offerings. In addition to its main campus in Gallatin, the college has a campus in Livingston, Springfield and Cookeville, Tennessee. The college's Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree targets students who want to serve in government agencies, the military or private organizations as police, security officers, investigators, counselors or probation or corrections officers. A fast track and a traditional learning track are offered in the criminal justice program. Through the fast track option, students can earn their degree in 18 months. It takes about two years to earn the degree via the traditional track.
-
Dyersburg State Community CollegeLocation
Dyersburg, TN
Adults interested in getting trained to enter the criminal justice field have two degree options at Dyersburg State Community College. The college awards a Criminal Justice Associate of Arts and a Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science degree. Degree requirements include the completion of about 63 credits and no lower than a C average. Current events, evidence and procedures, criminal law and law enforcement are classes that students take. To meet advanced degree requirements at four year schools, students can take electives that focus on criminal law or law enforcement. Sociology, math and composition are required general education classes.
-
Nashville State Community CollegeLocation
Nashville, TN
Nashville State Community College is located in the capital city of Tennessee. Founded in 1970, the college confers an associate of arts and an associate of science in criminal justice. Learning outcomes of the 60 credit degrees include to provide adults with a basic criminal justice understanding and skillset and to give adults the academic background to pursue advanced criminal justice degrees. Pathways is the system that the college uses to bridge the transition from earning an associate's to earning a bachelor's degree. Two and four year schools are members of this statewide system.
-
Roane State Community CollegeLocation
Harriman, TN
-
Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeLocation
Memphis, TN
-
Motlow State Community CollegeLocation
Smyrna, TN
-
Chattanooga State Community CollegeLocation
Chattanooga, TN
-
Northeast State Community CollegeLocation
Blountville, TN
-
Remington College-Nashville CampusLocation
Nashville, TN
Tennessee's Most Popular Criminal Justice Careers
How many criminal justice professionals work in Tennessee? What do these workers earn each year? These questions are normal for anyone interested in attending criminal justice schools in Tennessee to ask. The table below provides that information, as well as the minimum education required for state-specific positions in the field.
Police, Sheriff
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 12,450
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $43,810
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Academy Program
Correctional Officer
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 8,990
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $31,770
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Certification
Compliance Officers
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 5,010
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $60,450
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Bachelor's
Paralegal
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 3,830
- Median Salary in Tennessee $49,500
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Varies; up to Bachelor's
Detectives, Criminal Investigators
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 1,360
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $69,500
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Varies; up to Bachelor's
Probation Officer
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 1,800
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $38,960
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee Bachelor's
Judicial Clerk
- Total Employed in Tennessee: 140
- Median Salary in Tennessee: $47,610
- Degree Level Required in Tennessee: Varies; up to Bachelor's
Career Averages for Criminal Justice Occupations in Tennessee
Students who graduate from criminal justice schools in Tennessee want to be confident in their chosen field's average salaries and job growth rates. This section provides information on the earnings of specific careers in the criminal justice field, as well as projected job growth in the state compared with the national average.
Job | National | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,430 | $53,530 |
Lawyers | $127,700 | $139,880 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $69,500 | $81,490 |
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $93,140 | $100,250 |
Bailiffs | $32,260 | $45,740 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $49,500 | $53,180 |
Fish and Game Wardens | $54,760 | $60,670 |
Court Reporters | $56,940 | $63,050 |
Correctional Officers and Jailers | $31,770 | $46,750 |
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $38,960 | $54,080 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015
Job | National | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Animal Control Workers | 0.058 | 0.116 |
Bailiffs | 0.047 | 0.106 |
Compliance Officers | 0.033 | 0.12 |
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | 0.045 | 0.116 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators | -0.012 | 0.041 |
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | 0.006 | 0.083 |
Lawyers | 0.056 | 0.088 |
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 0.036 | 0.048 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 0.076 | 0.2 |
Source: Projections Central, 2015
Tennessee Employment Opportunities with a Criminal Justice Degree
Criminal justice professionals around the state can make a difference in their communities, but some locations in Tennessee have more opportunities to do that than others. This chart provides information on the areas of the states that have the most employment opportunities and the average wages workers earn in these locations.
Protective Services
Potential Employers: Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts; Tennessee Department of Correction; Nashville Investigative Services Bureau; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; City of Kingsport Tennessee Police Department; Metropolitan Government of Nashville; City of Memphis ; Williamson County Animal Center; Montgomery County Animal Control; Nashville Metro Animal Care and Control; King & King Detective Agency; Tennessee Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission; Christian Brothers University; G4S; Dynamic Security, Inc.; Murray Guard; Nashville Metro Police School Crossing Guard Section; AquaMobile Swim School; YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga; Lifetime Fitness
Total Number of Employees in Tennessee: 66,000
Legal Occupations
Potential Employers: Private practice law firms; Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts; Tennessee Supreme Court; Tennessee Court of Appeals; Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals; Tennessee Appellate Court Clerk's Office; Tennessee General Sessions Court; Tennessee Court Juvenile & Family Courts; Tennessee Chancery Courts; Tennessee Circuit Courts; Tennessee Municipal Courts