Sweet home Alabama’s economy and employment scene extends beyond its manufacturing, farming and forestry sectors. Its law enforcement and legal professionals are also an important element of its workforce. You have many criminal justice schools in Alabama to choose from if you want to pursue a career in law enforcement, corrections or justice with the option of completing your program online or on campus.
In the state where Dr. Martin Luther King Junior organized a bus boycott in the name of civil rights or where Morris Dees founded the Southern Poverty Law Center, opportunities for earning a criminal justice degree in Alabama and then pursuing a criminal justice career abound. In 2010, the CQ Press ranked Alabama as the 11th most crime-ridden state in the country; it ranked 4th place for cases of burglary and 5th for murder rates. This explains why the career outlook for police and sheriff’s officers continues to increase. If this career path interests you, it would be advantageous (and it is often times required by police forces) to complete at least a Law Enforcement Associate degree, offered by several of the campus and online schools listed below.
Alabama also offers promising career opportunities in Corrections, Court Reporting, Information Security and more. You can request information from the schools listed below to find out about corrections officer or probation training (i.e. a Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement degree), Court Reporting courses, Cyber Security programs, among other educational paths.
It cannot be forgotten that Alabama is home to several military training institutes. This form of education transitions nicely into potential careers with agencies like the state’s federal air force bases, the United States Army Material Command, the Department of Defense headquarters and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre.
Finally, FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness is located in Anniston, Alabama. It provides instruction to emergency first responders and is the only federal institute that offers training in weapons of mass destruction. This type of education would couple nicely with a Emergency Management Degree or a career in Homeland Security.
Prince Institute
Campus Location: Montgomery, AL
Programs Offered: Judicial Reporting
School Website: www.princeinstitute.edu
Remington College
Campus Location: Mobile, AL
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website: www.remingtoncollege.edu
South University
Campus Location: Montgomery, AL
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies
School Website: www.southuniversity.edu
Strayer University
Campus Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Criminal Justice, Computer Security, Emergency Mgmt, Homeland Security/Tech, Forensics, Legal Studies
School Website: www.strayer.edu
University of Phoenix
Campus Location: Various Locations, AL
Programs Offered: Administration of Justice and Security, Criminal Justice/Administration, Organizational Security & Management
School Website: www.phoenix.edu
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Programs: Associates AABA Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelors BSCJ Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Political Science
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Programs: BA Social and Criminal Justice, MA Organizational Management Public Administration, MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, BA Political Science and Government, BA Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Political Science and Government, BA Social and Criminal Justice Corrections Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Forensics, BA Social and Criminal Justice Homeland Security, BA Social and Criminal Justice Security Management, BA Law Enforcement Administration, BA Organizational Management Human Resources Management, BA Social Science No Concentration, BA Sociology
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Programs: Master of Criminal Justice
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Programs: PhD Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, BS Criminal Justice, MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences, DPA General Public Administration, MPA General Public Administration, BPA General Public Administration, PhD Public Safety Leadership, MS Public Safety Leadership, BS Homeland Security, BS Security Management, DSW General Social Work
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Programs: Associates ASCJ Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Paralegal studies, Master of Science in Management Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice Associatess, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Associates, Paralegal Associates, Criminal Justice Bachelors, Homeland Security Bachelors, Paralegal Bachelors, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: BS in Public Safety Administration, MS in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement, MS in Criminal Justice Legal Studies, MS in Leadership Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadersh, BS in Public Safety and Emergency Management, Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government a, BS in Justice Studies, BS in Sociology
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Programs: Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice, BSCJ Computer Crime, BSCJ Corrections, BSCJ Crime Scene Investigation, BSCJ Forensic Psychology, BSCJ Homeland Security, BSCJ Law Enforcement, AAS in Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Corrections, MSCJ Global Issues in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Law, BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in Legal Studies, BS in Paralegal Studies, AAS in Paralegal Studies, MS in Legal Studies, MSLS Education and the Legal System, MSLS Legal System and the Media, BS in Environmental Policy and Management, BS in Public Administration and Policy, AAS in Public Administration, BS in Political Science, Master of Public Administration, MPA Criminal Justice, MPA General MPA
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Programs: AA Criminal Justice, BA Criminal Justice, AA Homeland Security, BA Homeland Security, BA Legal Studies, AA Paralegal Studies
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice AAS, Criminal Justice BS
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Programs: Online Masters in Criminal Justice, Post-Master Certificate in CJ with Homeland Security Specializat, Online Homeland Security Certification
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Programs: Master of Business Administration Criminal Justice, AA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice Criminalistics Specialization, BA in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Forensic Science, Master of Social Work Management
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigatio, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Speciali, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration Non Profit Specialization, Master of Public Administration Public Policy Specialization, Master of Public Administration Criminial Justice Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Speciali, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specialization
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Programs: MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Legal Studies, BS in CJ Criminal Justice Administration, BS in CJ Computer Security and Forensics, BS in CJ Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in CJ Homeland Security Technology, Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Crime Analysis , Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Homeland Security Adminis, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Justice Administration
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Master of Science Administration of Justice and Security, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Human S
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Associates Paralegal Studies, Bachelors Criminal Justice, Bachelors Paralegal Studies, Masters Criminal Justice, Bachelors Criminal Justice Homeland Security
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Managem, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Human Services for Crimi, Master of Public Administration General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Mental Health Applic, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Criminal Jus, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Polic, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Safet, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Criminal Ju, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Homeland Se, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Law and Pub, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Poli, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Safe, Bachelor of Science BS in Political Science & Public Administrat, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Mana, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Human Services for Cr, Master of Public Administration Homeland Security Policy and Coo, Master of Public Administration Law and Public Policy, PhD in Human Services Course-based Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Course-based Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Law and Publ, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychology , Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Program Planning & E, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Psychology & Legal S
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A range of criminal justice careers in Alabama are currently in high demand and are projected to hire more and more employees through to 2018.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2010), Alabama is currently among the top five states with the highest concentration and location quotient (as compared to the rest of the country) of Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer jobs - vocations that offer an annual mean wage of approximately $39,000. Projections Central states that Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer jobs will continue to increase in Alabama within the next decade with an average of 400 new jobs per year.
Alabama is also home to 135 jails and 29 prisons with an inmate population of over 45,000. The Alabama Department of Corrections is one of the state’s top 50 employers and as of 2011 employs over 4,000 officers and support personnel. Additionally the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles’ probation and parole officers supervise another 60,000 or more individuals, states the National Institute of Corrections. The career outlook for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Experts will continue to grow, according to Projections Central.
Interestingly enough, Career One Stop reports that court reporting is among Alabama’s top-five-list of fastest growing occupations. The projected growth from 2008 to 2018 is expected to increase by 38%.Court reporters at the top of their profession can make a salary of $60,000 or more per year in Alabama, adds Career One Stop.
In order to be qualified and gain valuable experience to prepare you for these legal justice professions, request information from some of the criminal justice schools in Alabama to find out about Associate or Bachelor degrees or courses that would help you stand out from the pack of other career applicants. You can find a school, either online or that you attend in person, which is convenient for your lifestyle.
In addition to Alabama’s Corrections Department and law enforcement departments being major employers in the state, numerous agencies that specialize in information security are becoming major players as the digital age continues to evolve.
A branch of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information System - the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) – is located in Montgomery, Alabama. The ACJIC assists state law enforcement agencies with accessing the national justice information system, provides vital data and information sharing resources to these agencies and maintains information security. In 2011, the Bureau of Justice Statistics awarded the ACJIC $375,000 through its National Criminal History Program. The Alabama center is using the funds to automate the transfer and accessibility of all state-wide court and arrest records, hire more staff to reduce the accumulation of fingerprint records by half and improve documentation of domestic violence and stalking crimes.
Agencies like the Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense) and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre, both located in Huntsville AL, hire personnel such as Intelligence Officers/Operations Specialists. Part of the role of these professionals is to identify potential threats that come across information channels.
If an emerging career in law enforcement immersed within the technological world interests you, you can complete a criminal justice degree in Alabama, from several of the campus or online schools; you can choose to specialize in areas like Information Security, Cyber Security or Computer Forensics.
| Career |
Employment Growth through 2018 |
Current Average Salary |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers |
10% |
$39,000-43,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers |
18% |
$33,000-39,000 |
| Court Reporters |
38% |
$37,000-44,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
21% |
$57,000-63,000 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators |
18% |
$55,000-66,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
20% |
$45,000-49,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Alabama’s crime rate is higher than the country’s average: in 2009, its property-related crimes were approximately 29% higher than the national average; violent crimes were 18% higher than other parts of the country, according to the National Institute of Corrections. For that same year, the FBI reports that there were approximately 244 cases per 100,000 people or more than 11,000 cases of aggravated assault alone. However grim they may be, these statistics equate to a high demand for criminal justice careers in Alabama.
According to the FBI, there were over 150,000 arrests made in Alabama in 2010. For each person arrested, many professions are included, from the police officer or sheriff’s deputy who makes the arrest to the judge presiding over the case and the corrections officer monitoring the suspect if convicted.
Criminal justice schools in Alabama offer several degree options so that you can be a part of this legal process. Some programs you may consider are a law enforcement degree, a paralegal degree, a criminal justice degree, a legal studies degree or a court reporting degree.
| Facility |
Number of Facilities/Offices |
Number of Inmates |
| Jails |
135 |
15,000 |
| Prisons |
29 |
32,000 |
| Probation/Parole |
53 |
62,000 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
