Criminal Justice Schools in Florida | FL

Florida State Criminal Justice Degrees

From police officer to fish & game warden, Florida is one of five states with the highest employment rate for most every criminal justice occupation. Its high crime rate (it ranked number 6 for criminal activity in CQ Press‘ 2010 report) is probably a large factor for high employment among criminal justice and legal professions. Nonetheless, if you are interested in establishing routes in the Sunshine State, check out the criminal justice schools in Florida for programs such as law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, legal studies, animal conservation and heaps more relevant degrees. You often have the choice between online or campus programs, which is ideal for maintaining all other aspects of your lifestyle.

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For example, to get a position with the Metro Dade County Police Department or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, you will first need to earn an Associate Degree in law enforcement (the requirement for most police-entry jobs). You will notice by consulting the criminal justice schools in Florida listed below, that several of them offer law enforcement, criminal justice and other related degree majors.

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Florida Criminal Justice Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida is one of five states to have the highest employment levels in each of these occupations:

  • Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
  • Court Reporters
  • Bailiffs
  • Correctional Officers and Jailers
  • Probation Officers
  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators
  • Paralegals
  • Lawyers
  • Detectives
  • Supervisors of Police and Detectives
  • Private Detectives
  • Security Guards
  • Fish and Game Wardens
  • Transportation Security Screeners (TSA)

If you want to start your educational journey today, so that you can enter one of these flourishing fields, consult the list of criminal justice schools in Florida to find information on law enforcement, probations, court reporting, legal studies and other related degrees.

Many of these occupations are also expected to grow in the next 8-10 years. The career outlook for positions such as emergency management specialists, court reporters, paralegals and forensic science technicians looks particularly promising. These criminal justice careers in Florida can become your reality if you complete an online or campus program in emergency management, court reporting or forensic science specializations. According to Projections Central, the following positions will increase with approximately these many new job openings per year

  • Forensic Science Technicians ~ 80 jobs per year
  • Correctional Officers ~ 780
  • Court Reporters ~ 80
  • Detectives ~ 220
  • First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives ~ 240
  • Paralegals ~ 740
  • Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers ~1,090
  • Security Guards ~ 2,280

Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies

In Florida, you will find three FBI field offices, Seven Secret service offices, the NASA Law Enforcement Training Centre, a Homeland Security Special-Agent-in-Charge and the Miami Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory.

According to Career One Stop, the Metro Dade County Police Department, Corry Station and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are some of Florida’s largest employers. They employ 5,300, 3,400, and 3,200+ personnel respectively.

Any of these headquarters and agencies would be lucky to hire you when you are ready. Completing a criminal justice degree in Florida majoring in computer forensics, information security, law enforcement, homeland security, criminal justice or other related areas would help you land the career of your dreams. Check out the list of campus and online criminal justice schools in Florida for more information.

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Florida Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Florida Criminal Justice Salary

CareerEmployment Growth through 2018Current Average Salary
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers4%$54,000 – 60,000+
Emergency Management Specialists19%$61,000 – 67,000
Court Reporters24%$30,000 – 37,000
Detectives and Criminal Investigators9%$68,000 – 74,000
Private Detectives and Investigators13%$45,000 – 49,000+
Paralegals and Legal Assistants23%$44,000 – 48,000
Lawyers7%$112,000 – 120,000+
Forensic Science Technicians11%$44,000 – 48,000+

Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov

Florida Crime Rate

CQ Press‘ 2010 State Crime Rankings rated Florida as the sixth top state for criminal activity. More specifically the report ranked Florida 4th place for robbery and 6th for assault.

The National Institute of Corrections adds that Florida’s overall crime rate is 27 % higher than the rest of the country’s (violent crime rate 48% higher ~ property crime 25% higher).

Florida’s Correctional System Stats

FacilityNumber of Facilities & OfficesNumber of Inmates
Jails10262,803
Prisons144102,232
Probation & Parole156267,738

Source: www.nicic.gov

Degrees by State