Criminal Justice Certification in South Carolina

If you have ever considered starting a career in criminal justice, this is a great time to learn about the wide variety of career paths in this field and find out how you can get the training you need to pursue your chosen specialty.

In South Carolina, criminal justice professionals protect state residents and the thousands of tourists that visit the region’s beaches and tourist towns every year. Through Criminal Justice Information Services, South Carolina criminal justice professionals can stay on top of crime trends in South Carolina, get information on ongoing cases, and learn about issues in other counties and cities.

Keep reading to learn more about South Carolina certificate programs, then find out how you can get started.

Contact criminal justice programs in South Carolina below.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in South Carolina?

It you plan on pursuing an entry-level career in criminal justice, you may be able to get the technical certificate you need in one to two years. These programs are typically open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED. However, acceptance to a criminal justice program may also hinge on your ability to pass a background check and prove that you do not have any criminal history.

Those who already have a graduate degree in criminal justice or a related field may instead choose to earn a post-graduate certificate, which builds on graduate-level critical thinking skills to prepare students for advanced career options.

Court Reporting Technical Certificate Requirements (45 credits)

• Legal and Court Transcription
  • Learn the foundations of legal transcription, which may include transcribing meetings or case notes for lawyers and transcribing court cases.
• Court Reporting Techniques
  • This course offers a thorough introduction to court reporting techniques and the standards of this industry.
• Courtroom Standards
  • Find out what is expected of you as a legal professional when a court case is in session.

Forensics Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Forensic Chemistry
  • This class builds on the basic ideas of chemistry and applies them to the field of forensic science.
• Fingerprint Analysis
  • This class covers the theory and practice of collecting fingerprints, analyzing them, and using them as evidence.
• Forensic Biology
  • Students in this class learn how to use the tenets of human biology to understand forensic evidence and its implications.
• Criminal Investigation
  • Delve into the criminal investigation process to understand how and when forensic evidence is used.

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate Requirements (12 credits)

• Advanced Operating Systems
  • Students in this class gain a comprehensive understanding of different operating systems, when they are used, and what security risks are present with each system.
• Principles of Computer Security
  • Get a broad understanding of computer security and its importance in this class.
• Advanced Cybersecurity
  • Find out how professionals keep information and files safe from hacking and other types of cyber attacks.
• Data Communications
  • This course explores how data is conveyed, encrypted, and transmitted.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in South Carolina?

When you have your certificate in criminal justice, you should be ready to explore employment options at law firms, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and other employers.

Job growth rates vary quite a bit between fields in South Carolina. While job openings for court reporters may increase 9% by 2030, job openings for forensic lab technicians may swell 25% during this time (CareerOneStop, 2022). Statewide demand for security guards may increase 23% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Overall, South Carolina salaries are aligned with salaries reported in other coastal states. The average annual income for a court reporter is $50,380 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Forensic lab technicians report an average salary of $49,490 per year (BLS, 2022). Currently, security guards bring in an average of $29,480 per year (BLS, 2022).

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

Are you ready to take the plunge and start the next phase of your career? Get more information on your options now.

Start by contacting criminal justice certificate programs on the list below.

Online programs may not be available in all areas