Alabama Criminal Justice Programs
Alabama is a great state to work in if you plan on pursuing a career in law enforcement. While there is plenty of crime to deal with, the crime rate in Alabama is about average and law enforcement and criminal justice officers can look foward to a eventful but relatively safe career.Career opportunity in criminal justice range from corrections office, working with the courts, to crime scene officer, working in the field examining crime scenes. Whatever your flavor, Alabama offers a large variety criminal justice occupations, specialties and positions to choose from.
Criminal justice and law enforcment professionals make anywhere from about $34,000 to $90,000 a year. How much you can make will depend on your level of education, experience, what field you work in and who you work for. For example, a bailiff with an associates degree working for the courts can expect to make between $27,000 and $40,000 a year. An FBI Agent with a master's degree in linguistic can make between $55,000 an $100,000 a year.
The best way to prepare for a career in criminal justice is by earning a relevant degree from an accredited college or universities. There are just about as many criminal justice degrees and certifications to choose from as there are career paths. Earning an associate degree will prepare students for entry-level positions such as corrections officer, probation officer or police officer. Those interested in a career in criminology, forensics, investigation, or criminal justice management should consider earning a bachelor's degree, or even master's degree in criminal justice or a closely related discipline.
Coursework you can expect to take when earning a degree in criminal justice include:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Courts and Criminal Procedures
- Correctional Systems and Practices
- Criminal Investigations
- Policiing
- Class, Race and Gender
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Behavior
- Correctional Counseling and Law
- Social Justice
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
Below is a list accredited colleges and universities in Alabama that provide top notch degree, certification and training programs in criminal justice and closely related disciplines.
Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Corrections Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Juvenile Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Law Enforcement | |
Amridge University (Montgomery, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor Degree - Homeland Security (online) | |
Athens State University (Athens, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Justice Studies | |
Auburn University at Montgomery (Montgomery, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice and Public Safety (online) | |
Bevill State Community College (Sumiton, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Pre-Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Business Office Management and Technology: Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program - Business Office Management and Technology: Legal Administrative Assistant | |
Calhoun Community College (Tanner, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
Chattahoochee Valley Community College (Phenix City, AL) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Homeland Security Certificate Program - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Homeland Security | |
Columbia Southern University (Orange Beach, AL) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Administration Masters Degree - Criminal Justice (online) | |
Enterprise State Community College (Enterprise, AL) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Office Administration: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Paralegal | |
Faulkner State Community College (Bay Minette, AL) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Paralegal Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice | |
Faulkner University (Montgomery, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminalistics Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
Gadsden State Community College (Gadsden, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Office Administration Technology - Administrative Assistant - Legal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Public Safety Telecommunications Associate of Arts/Associate of Science (A.S.)s - Criminal Justice Diploma - Paralegal Short-term Certificate Program - Realtime Reporting - Litigation Assistant | |
Herzing University (Birmingham, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security Concentration) (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security and Public Safety Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security and Public Safety (Criminal Justice Concentration) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security and Public Safety (Emergency Medical Technician Concentration) (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security, Public Safety, Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security, Public Safety, Emergency Tech | |
ITT Technical Institute (Bessemer, AL / Mobile, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Paralegal Studies Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice - Cyber Security (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice-Cyber Security | |
Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Public Safety Communications (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice - Corrections Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice - Forensic Investigations Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice - Security Administration / Loss Prevention Bachelor of Science (BS) in Emergency Management Bachelor of Science (BS) in Emergency Management - Homeland Security Bachelor of Science (BS) in Emergency Management - Public Safety Communications Certificate Program - APCO International Certificate Program - Emergency Management Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Emergency Management Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Emergency Management | |
Jefferson State Community College (Birmingham, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement (online) Associate of Arts (AA) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Law Enforcement (online) | |
Lawson State Community College (Birmingham, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
Miles College (Fairfield, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
Northwest-Shoals Community College (Muscle Shoals, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
Prince Institute of Professional Studies Inc (Montgomery, AL) Programs offered: Certificate Program - CART/Captioning Certificate Program - CART/Captioning (online) Certificate Program - Judicial Reporting Certificate Program - Judicial Reporting (online) Certificate Program - Scoping Certificate Program - Scoping/Proofreading | |
Remington College (Mobile, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
Samford University (Birmingham, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Administrative/Community Services: Paralegal Studies | |
Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa, AL) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Legal Secretary Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Certificate Program - Legal Secretary | |
The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice | |
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Graduate Certificate Program - Computer Forensics Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Forensic Science | |
University of North Alabama (Florence, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice | |
University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL) Programs offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Pol. Science/Criminal Justice Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Pol. Science/Criminal Justice | |
Virginia College (Birmingham, AL / Huntsville, AL / Mobile, AL) Programs offered: Associate Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice Associate of Science (A.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Associate of Science (A.S.) - Paralegal Studies Associates of Science - Paralegal Studies Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice (online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Paralegal Studies (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Criminal Justice (online) Master of Science (M.S.) - Cyber Security (online) Masters Degree - Criminal Justice (online) | |
Wallace Community College (Dothan, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice - Forensic Investigations Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement | |
Wallace Community College-Selma (Selma, AL) Programs offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice | |
Wallace State Community College (Hanceville, AL) Programs offered: Associate in Applied Science - Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Cyber Security Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Forensic Investigations Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Law Enforcement | |