Criminal Justice Schools in Ohio | OH

Two of Ohio’s law enforcement agencies are among the top 30 largest in the country as determined by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010: the Columbus Division of Police (with over 2,100 full time employees, over 1,800 of them being sworn officers) and the Cleveland Division of Police (with over 1,800 full time employees, over 1,500 of them being sworn officers). In Ohio, approximately 640 positions for police and sheriff’s patrol officers open each year, according to Projections Central. Criminal justice schools in Ohio offer law enforcement degrees and training. If you would like to become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, many agencies prefer a minimum of an Associate’s degree and previous related experience. Notice how you have a choice between online and campus programs to select an educational path convenient to your lifestyle.
Other criminal justice career opportunities exist in Ohio and show a positive employment outlook. You can complete a criminal justice degree in Ohio to become a paralegal, emergency management specialist, corrections officer, lawyer or various other types of professional.
Ohio Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Currently, Ohio is one of five states with the highest level of employment for bailiffs and judges/magistrates. According to Projections Central, approximately 30 new positions for bailiffs and 50 new positions for judges open up each year. To become a bailiff in Ohio, for example, applicants must have their high school diploma, complete court officer/bailiff training with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council and have previous law enforcement or courtroom experience. To stand out from the pool of potential candidates, it would be wise to complete a law enforcement, corrections or another related degree at one of the criminal justice schools in Ohio.
Numerous criminal justice careers in Ohio show a positive outlook for growth or employment opportunities. These include:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 640 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers – 310 openings/year
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators – 70 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 130 openings/year
- Forensic Science Technicians – 20 openings/year
- Lawyers – 460 openings/year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants – 190 openings/year
- Court Reporters – 20 openings/year
- Private Detectives – 50 openings/year
- Emergency Management Specialists – 20 openings/year
If you would like to begin one of these thriving careers, consider completing a relevant criminal justice degree in Ohio, majoring in disciplines such as law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, legal studies, law, paralegal studies, court reporting, emergency management and other related areas.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
According to Career One Stop, Ohio’s second largest employer, with approximately 16,000 personnel, is its Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. This department administers all correctional institutions, parole and community corrections offices, affiliated medical centers and other related service centers. Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction employs various professionals including corrections officers, social workers, clerical support, parole officers, parole program supervisors, psychiatrists, psychologists and others. You can complete a relevant online or campus program, such as a corrections, criminal justice, social work, psychology or legal studies degree, at one of the criminal justice schools in Ohio to start one of these careers.
Additionally, Ohio is home to two FBI field offices (in Cincinnati and Cleveland) and six U.S. Secret Service field offices (in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo). If you would like to someday work for one of these top federal agencies, start by completing a criminal justice degree in Ohio with a specialization in homeland security, counterterrorism, cyber security, law enforcement, criminal psychology or computer forensics.
Ohio Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Ohio Criminal Justice Salary
Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | will remain roughly the same | $50,000 – 57,000 |
Court Reporters | 16% | $48,000 – 51,000 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 3% | $65,000 – 70,000 |
Private Detectives and Investigators | 13% | $44,000 – 48,000 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 17% | $43,000 – 47,000 |
Lawyers | 4% | $105,000 – 115,000+ |
Emergency Management Specialists | 23% | $49,000 – 56,000 |
Forensic Science Technicians | 6% | $52,000 – 58,000 |
Bailiffs | will remain roughly the same | $38,000 – 42,000 |
Sources:Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Ohio Crime Rate
Ohio’s crime rate is approximately 11% higher compared to the rest of the country, according to the National Institute of Corrections. More specifically, its property crime rate is 14% higher but its violent crime rate is 14% lower than the national average. (In Ohio, property crimes make up 91% of the state’s criminal activity). In 2010, the FBI reported around 3,245 property crimes and 315 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
The violent crime rate in an area of Cleveland is of particular concern, however. In Dr. Andrew Schiller’s 2010 NeighborhoodScout.com report, the Scovill Avenue area of Cleveland ranked second place in the list of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods. This area’s violent crime rate was calculated at approximately 165 cases of violence per 1,000 people (or 16,500 violent crimes per 100,000 people).
Ohio’s Correctional System Stats
Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
---|---|---|
Jails | 104 | 20,196 |
Prisons | 33 | 50,549 |
Probation & Parole | 45+ probation offices, 29 parole offices | 254,949 probationers, 14,575 parolees |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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