Criminal Justice Certification in Montana

Whether you’re considering a career in policing, corrections, or in a legal setting, your dedication to this industry can help it continue to grow and improve in coming years.

This is especially important in Montana, where the state currently suffers from an understaffed criminal justice system that is overloaded with prisoners and unsolved cases (Billings Gazette, 2016).

This is a great time to find out if a career in criminal justice fits your career goals.

Get more information by reaching out to criminal justice certificate programs on the list below.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in Montana?

Throughout Montana, there are two-year schools that can help you study diverse fields like corrections, law enforcement, and forensic studies. Due to Montana’s remote layout, not all students are located close to a convenient campus. If there are few in-person programs in your area, you may be able to earn your criminal justice certificate online.

Correctional Officer Technical Certificate Requirements

• Introduction to Corrections
  • Get a solid start in the field of corrections with this introductory course, which covers the goals of the correctional system, the different professionals that help this field run smoothly, and how this field fits into the criminal justice industry.
• Criminology
  • This course delves into the theory of criminal behavior, what causes it, and what factors may increase criminality.
• Criminal and Constitutional Law
  • Learn about the use of criminal and constitutional law in correctional settings, since these laws outline how prisoners must be treated.
• Criminal Justice Management
  • Develop a strong set of management skills that work well in correctional settings and help you keep employees safe.

Forensic Studies Technical Certificate Requirements (18 credits)

• Fundamentals of Forensic Science
  • Get a basic understanding of what forensic science is, what technology it uses, and what it contributes to the field of criminal justice.
• Forensic Science Crime Lab
  • This course focuses on the hands-on skills needed to work in a crime laboratory. You may work with evidence specimens, learn how to process DNA samples, and maintain the integrity of samples while processing them.
• Use of Forensic Evidence
  • In this class, learn specifically how forensic evidence is used in criminal cases and how it helps prosecutors meet the burden of proof in court cases.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in Montana?

The job titles open to you are determined by which type of criminal justice certificate you possess.

After studying corrections, you may graduate and become a correctional officer. This career path requires a flexible schedule, since you may work nights, weekends, and holidays, in addition to rotating shifts. The average salary for a Montana correctional officer is $43,440 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Job openings for correctional officers are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Forensic science technicians generally work in laboratory settings, processing collected evidence and ensuring that it is stored safely after being processed. The average salary for a Montana forensic science technician is $66,680 annually (BLS, 2022).

If you get experience in a courtroom setting, consider becoming a bailiff. These professionals are extremely important in Montana courtrooms, since they maintain order and keep everyone safe during proceedings. The average salary in this field is $49,100 per year (CareerOneStop, 2022).

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

There are many ways you can give back to your community and start a criminal justice career that you are passionate about.

Explore your options now by contacting criminal justice certificate programs in Montana.

Online programs may not be available in all areas