Criminal Justice Schools in South Carolina | SC
In 2010, the CQ Press Annual State Crime Rankings reported that South Carolina was the fourth most crime-ridden state; it ranked first place for assault related crimes. If you would like to professionally help prevent crime or repeat offenders, complete education at one of the criminal justice schools in South Carolina. These institutions either offer online or campus programs to help you become qualified and prepared for these vital careers.
Sponsored School(s)
South Carolina has over 270 local and state law enforcement agencies; in 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice stated they employed over 11,670 sworn officers. To become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, it is recommended you take a criminal justice degree in South Carolina majoring in law enforcement as most agencies prefer a minimum of an Associate (two-year) degree.
Perhaps you would prefer a career within the legal realm. The career outlook for paralegals and lawyers shows great promise in South Carolina. You might start by taking a paralegal or legal studies program at one of the criminal justice schools in South Carolina. Then after getting your feet wet, you may want to go on and finish a law degree, write the bar and become a full-fledged attorney.
The role of Community Corrections is also essential with the potential of rehabilitating prior offenders. Complete a corrections, sociology or probation-related criminal justice degree in South Carolina to become a probation officer, parole officer, human services coordinator, correctional officer or another relevant profession.
South Carolina Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Various criminal justice careers in South Carolina show a positive outlook for growth. Here are some examples (with the average number of job openings provided by Projections Central):
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 280 openings/year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants – 140 openings/year
- Lawyers – 190 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 50 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers – 200 openings/year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 30 openings/year
- Security Guards – 400 openings/year
Consult the online and campus criminal justice schools in South Carolina for information on relevant degrees so that you can start one of these booming careers. For example, a corrections, law enforcement or a criminal justice degree will make you qualified for a correctional officer position. Completing a criminal justice degree in South Carolina majoring in sociology, human services, criminology or corrections can lead to a probation officer career.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
The South Carolina Department of Corrections is one of the state’s top employers with over 6,000 personnel. Some of their positions include correctional officers, program coordinators, vocational teachers, psychiatrists, wardens and administration specialists. You can complete relevant education at one of the criminal justice schools to start work with this state department.
According to Career One Stop, another major employer in South Carolina is the Spartanburg Court System with over 1,300 personnel. From court reporters to judges, a variety of legal justice professionals are needed to run a successful courtroom. Complete a criminal justice degree in South Carolina specializing in legal studies, paralegal, court reporting and other relevant disciplines if you would like to work for one of the state’s court systems.
Finally, South Carolina also boasts three U.S. Secret Service field offices in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville. Specialized degrees, such as in counterterrorism, cyber security, law enforcement or criminal investigations can help you be considered for employment with this prestigious federal agency.
South Carolina Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & South Carolina Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 2% | $36,000 – 40,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 2% | $30,000 – 34,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 2% | $53,000 – 61,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 23% | $40,000 – 45,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 12% | $36,000 – 40,000 |
| Lawyers | 9% | $105,000 – 110,000 |
| Security Guards | 10% | $25,000 – 29,000 |
Sources:Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
South Carolina Crime Rate
While the CQ Press ranked South Carolina as the fourth most dangerous state, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) reports it as having the highest crime rate (40% higher than the national average). The NIC adds that its property crime rate is 37% higher and its violent crime rate is 64% higher compared to the rest of the country.
In 2010, the FBI reported a total of 20,900 aggravated assault crimes and 280 murders (which includes non-negligent manslaughter). Overall, its violent crime rate was 597 cases/100,000 people and its property crime rate was 3,900 cases/100,000 people.
South Carolina’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 52 | 12,761 |
| Prisons | 28 | 23,050 |
| Probation & Parole | 51 | 41,300 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
Degrees by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming