In many cases, prospective law enforcement officers must complete criminal justice coursework prior to being admitted to a law enforcement academy and most entry-level Kentucky criminal justice careers require applicants to hold a bachelor degree in criminal justice in order to be considered for the position. Completing a criminal justice bachelor degree program is also a common step towards law school for prospective Kentucky attorneys.
Sheriff’s patrol officer, police patrol officer, probation officer and correctional treatment specialist are a few common choices for people considering a career in criminal justice. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that, in 2006, there were 94,000 correctional treatment specialists and probation officers making an average annual income of $42,500 and 648,000 sheriff’s patrol officers and police patrol officers making an average yearly wage of $52,810 working in the United States. Each of these criminal justice career options is expected to experience an 11% expansion in job openings by the year 2016, which will result in the addition of 80,000 criminal justice jobs across the country. Kentucky criminal justice careers are poised to experience a similar rate of growth.
If you would like to learn more about the exciting field of criminal justice, or would like to find the Kentucky criminal justice program to jumpstart your criminal justice career, browse our comprehensive list of schools offering Kentucky criminal justice programs below.