Criminal Justice Schools in Utah | UT
A range of criminal justice careers show a positive outlook for growth and demand in Utah from now until at least 2018. From police officers and sheriff’s deputies to paralegals and forensic science technicians, Projections Central estimates an employment increase of over 20% or more for these and other criminal justice and legal jobs. If you would like to start a career in law enforcement, corrections or justice, check out the list of criminal justice schools in Utah for information on relevant degree programs. Some offer campus programs, others offer online, while some offer both, so you can pick an educational path that matches your lifestyle.
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If you would like to become a police officer for example, it is advisable to complete a criminal justice degree in Utah majoring in law enforcement as most agencies prefer candidates to have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree or previous related experience. To become a forensic science technician, start by completing a criminalistics or forensic science degree. Whatever your passions and career goals may be, criminal justice schools in Utah will offer a program to meet these needs.
Utah Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Several criminal justice careers in Utah show a positive employment outlook. Here are some examples including their average number of annual job openings provided by Projections Central:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 200 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers – 110 openings/year
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators – 20 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 50 openings/year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants – 80 openings/year
- Lawyers – 280 openings/year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 30 openings/year
Criminal justice schools in Utah offer campus or online programs to help prepare you for any one of these professions. For example, you might complete a corrections, law enforcement or criminal justice degree to become a corrections officer or jailer. Complete a criminal justice degree in Utah specializing in community corrections, social work, human services, law enforcement or another related discipline to become a probation officer, parole officer or correctional treatment specialist. To become a paralegal, you often have the choice between an online or campus program to become prepared for such an enlightening and vital career.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
An example of one of the important criminal justice agencies in Utah is the Intermountain West Regional Computer Forensic Laboratories (RCFL) located in Salt Lake City. It is one of the FBI’s 16 RCFLs that provides assistance to law enforcement agencies in Utah, Idaho and Montana. Specifically the Intermountain West RCFL examines digital evidence to support investigations with crimes such as child pornography, Internet offenses, terrorism and other illegal activities. To become qualified to work at this federal agency, or for a similar employer, look for information on computer forensics, cyber security or information security degrees among the criminal justice schools in Utah.
Utah Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Utah Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 22% | $43,000 – 47,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 21% | $39,000 – 42,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 25% | $68,000 – 72,000 |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 22% | $65,000 – 70,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 35% | $39,000 – 42,000 |
| Lawyers | 21% | $115,000 – 125,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists | 35% | $49,000 – 53,000 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | 31% | $40,000 – 46,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 31% | $45,000 – 48,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov & utah.gov
Utah Crime Rate
Utah’s crime rate is slightly higher than the national average by 6%, according to the National Institute of Corrections. More specifically its property crime rate (which includes burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) is 12% higher; however, its violent crime rate (which includes murder, rape, assault and robbery) is 42% lower than the country’s average.
In 2010, the FBI reported a property crime rate of 3,179 cases/100,000 people and a violent crime rate of 212 cases/100,000 people.
Utah’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 28 | 6,548 |
| Prisons | 13 facilities within two complexes | 6,817 |
| Probation & Parole | 8 regional offices | 14,732 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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