In 2010, for the seventh year in a row, Nevada was first place for the most dangerous, crime-ridden state in CQ Press’ Annual State Crime Rankings. Also in 2010, Dr. Andrew Schiller and the researchers at NeighborhoodScout.com determined that two of Las Vegas’ neighborhoods were the third and fourth most dangerous districts in the country. Nevada’s law enforcement agencies certainly have their hands full. If you are interested in becoming a police or sheriff’s patrol officer to help lower the state’s crime rate, check out the list of campus and online criminal justice schools in Nevada for information on law enforcement degrees. Most agencies prefer candidates to have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree. There are approximately 140 new job openings for Nevada police officers and sheriff’s patrol officers each year, according to Projections Central.
It is no surprise that Nevada boasts both the highest level of employment and the highest concentration of gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators in all of the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these skilled officers prevent and watch for questionable behavior, from theft to violence, in the casinos that line the Vegas strip. Many gaming hotels and casinos require gaming surveillance officers to complete at least a certificate program beyond high school. Check the list of criminal justice schools in Nevada for either online or campus programs in security and surveillance, gaming protection, casino surveillance or similar certification courses.
You can start numerous careers, from emergency management specialist to court reporter, by completing a criminal justice degree in Nevada with a relevant specialty.
Career College of Northern Nevada
Campus Location: Sparks, NV
Programs Offered: Paralegal
School Website:
DeVry University
Campus Location: Henderson, NV
Programs Offered: Tech Mgmt - Criminal Justice
School Website: www.devry.edu
Everest College
Campus Location: Henderson, NV
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Paralegal
School Website: www.everest.edu
Kaplan College
Campus Location: Las Vegas, NV
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website: www.kaplan.edu
University of Phoenix
Campus Location: Various Locations, NV
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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In addition to having the highest concentration of gaming surveillance officers, Nevada is one of five states with the highest concentration of security guards and transportation security screeners, adds the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 450 new positions open each year for security guards, according to Projections Central. Those who are interested in a future law enforcement, legal or criminal justice career earn valuable experience starting as a security guard – something future employers will acknowledge. As a security guard you can rise up the career ranks by completing a criminal justice degree in security management, law enforcement, corrections or criminal justice administration.
Transportation security screeners are employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA prefers candidates with previous experience or those who have completed a security, airport screening or another similar certificate program in addition to high school. Starting as a transportation security screener is the ideal launch pad for other TSA careers, such as U.S. Marshall or Federal Security Officer. If these positions interest you, visit the list of criminal justice schools in Nevada for information on homeland security, law enforcement or other relevant degree programs.
Other criminal justice careers in Nevada that show a positive employment outlook are Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers (140 openings/year), Lawyers (150 openings/year) and Paralegals (50 openings/year). If these growing careers interest you, look for information on law enforcement, law or paralegal degrees among the criminal justice schools in Nevada.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is the country’s 14th largest local police force, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2007, the LVMPD had 4,704 employees - 2,309 of them being sworn officers. The most recent estimate provided by Projections Central for all of Nevada is approximately 5,110 police and sheriff’s patrol officers.
You could start your career as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy by taking an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement at one of the criminal justice schools in Nevada. Then after several years on the force you could upgrade your education to a Bachelors or Masters in Criminal Justice, Criminology or another specialized field, to become a detective or first-line supervisor. Approximately 20 new positions open up for detectives and 30 new positions for first-line supervisors of police each year in Nevada.
Additionally, of Nevada’s top 25 employers, 18 of them are casinos (or hotel casinos). Together they employ over 100,000 people, according to Career One Stop. This suggests that there will be a continuous demand for gaming surveillance officers and investigators. To snag one of these jobs, make your resume shine by taking a criminal justice degree in Nevada (or a certificate program) with a specialty in casino surveillance, gaming security or other related disciplines.
| Career |
Employment Growth through 2018 |
Current Average Salary |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers |
will remain roughly the same |
$60,000 – 70,000+ |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
2% |
$92,000 – 100,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators |
8% |
$74,000 – 80,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
30% |
$49,000 – 55,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists |
8% |
$61,000 – 69,000 |
| Lawyers |
17% |
$120,000 – 128,000 |
| Court Reporters |
24% |
$49,000 – 52,000 |
| Gaming Surveillance Officers and Investigators |
9% |
$33,000-$39,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
In CQ Press’ 2010 State Crime Rankings, where it placed first for overall crime, Nevada also ranked first for the number of motor vehicle thefts and robberies. In that same year, the FBI reported over 5,200 robberies (196/100,000 people) and over 10,000 motor vehicle thefts (377/100,000).
While, according to the National Institute of Corrections, Nevada’s crime rate is only 8% higher than the country’s average, its violent crime rate is 81% higher. Violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, assault and robbery. In 2010, there were over 17,800 violent crimes committed in Nevada, reports the FBI.
| Facility |
Number of Facilities/Offices |
Number of Inmates |
| Jails |
22 |
6,346 |
| Prisons |
9 (plus camps and community centers) |
12,737 |
| Probation/Parole |
14 |
16,224 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
