Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina

A growing area of concern in North Carolina relates to hate crimes. In mid-2015, a predominantly African-American church was set on fire. Early on, officials suspected that it was a hate crime, rather than a random violent act. As problems in this area continue to increase around the country, the need for highly trained criminal justice graduates may continue to grow.

Part of being a justice professional involves changing procedures and policies based on data and evidence. North Carolina lawmakers recently passed a law that would make graffiti a felony. This type of change requires support from police officers, legislators, and correctional officers.

Earning Your Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree in North Carolina

As a criminal justice student, one of your biggest responsibilities is becoming fully educated in every aspect of this industry and what role it plays in society. To start meeting this goal, you may enroll in introductory courses like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Police Systems and Practices, Courts and Criminal Procedures, and Correction Systems and Practices.

Once you successfully complete these classes, you may have the knowledge you need to enroll in more advanced classes like Juvenile Justice, Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Management in Criminal Justice Agencies, and Forensic Evidence.

Given how in-depth this degree is, you should not be surprised to learn that it takes four years of full-time study. Over the course of these four years, you gain 120 credits. You may also get much-needed practical experience in the form of an internship or practicum. This experience may help you get in touch with potential employers and see where your skills are most needed in the field of criminal justice.

Once you get accepted to a criminal justice program, you may begin the process of applying for financial aid. This process can be fairly lengthy, so it’s good to tackle it early each year. The North Carolina Sheriffs Association Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarship is awarded through CFNC each academic year. This scholarship is based on financial need. Quite a few scholarships and grants are specific to different schools, including the Eagle Claw Service Club Scholarship and the Arthur Wendell Oxendine Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Working with Your Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina

You may be excited to learn that the job outlook is quite positive for criminal justice professionals in North Carolina. Through 2030, CareerOneStop estimates a 7% increase in criminal investigation jobs. In the same period, they have predicted that the demand for correctional officer jobs will remain fairly steady (CareerOneStop, 2022). Investigators in the state report a median income of $55,360 per year (CareerOneStop, 2022) and correctional officers report an average salary of $40,710 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

Are you ready to find out how you can change the field of criminal justice? Contact criminal justice schools in North Carolina now.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for North Carolina contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.