Virginia criminal justice programs are designed to prepare students to enter the field of criminal justice in a number of different professions, most of which require a bachelor degree in criminal justice in order to qualify for entry-level positions. Virginia criminal justice programs also provide classes that are attended by students seeking entrance into law enforcement academies or law school upon completion.
Job opportunities in many criminal justice occupations, such as police patrol officer, sheriff’s patrol officer, correctional treatment specialist and probation officer, are expected to swell by 11% by the year 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook 2008-2009 Edition. With data beginning in 2006, this means that the 648,000 patrol officers and 94,000 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists employed in the United States at that time will be joined by 80,000 new colleagues over the next few years. Similar rates of growth are expected in other criminal justice fields as well, both across the country and in the Virginia criminal justice sector.
Find your ideal Virginia criminal justice program and begin working towards your career as a criminal justice professional by browsing the below list of schools offering criminal justice programs in Virginia.