Criminal Justice Certification in West Virginia

Once you decide to start a career in criminal justice, you accept the responsibility of protecting West Virginia residents, promoting fairness and equality in the justice system, and giving offenders a chance at rehabilitation.

These duties are particularly important in West Virginia, where state officials are overhauling the juvenile justice system (WTOV 9, 2016). Rather than focusing on punitive justice, which is standard for adult offenders, legislators hope to focus on restorative justice. This would reduce incarceration rates for juveniles and give them a greater chance at successful rehabilitation.

This is a great time to discover how you can use your talents in the field of criminal justice.

Find out more now by contacting criminal justice programs in West Virginia.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in West Virginia?

As you choose a certificate in criminal justice to pursue, keep in mind that each of these programs focuses on skills needed for one or two career paths. It is essential to have a clear idea of your career goals before committing to a program.

Below are some requirements of different criminal justice certificate options in WV.

Forensics Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Criminal Procedure
  • Students in this class learn about the criminal justice process from start to finish. They discover how forensic evidence is used during each step of the process.
• Criminal Evidence
  • This class compares different types of criminal evidence, focusing specifically on forensic evidence and its various uses.
• Criminal Investigations
  • Instructors help students get a full understanding of criminal investigation procedures and how forensic evidence is analyzed throughout.
• Criminology
  • By the time you finish this course, you may know how to look at forensic evidence and use it to create a clear picture of a crime. This course helps you understand the psychology of offenders and their motivation.

Private Security Technical Certificate Requirements (27 credits)

• Legal Aspects of Security
  • Learn about the legal issues that commonly arise in the field of private security and how you can avoid them as a security guard.
• Ethical Aspects of Security
  • This course covers ethics in security and ensures that you use minimal force while responding to a threat.
• Fundamentals of Security
  • Get an overall view of the field of private security, how it fits into the criminal justice system, and how it is used by businesses and individuals.

Police Science Technical Certificate Requirements (30 credits)

• Criminal Evidence and Procedure
  • Discover how to collect evidence, use it to understand a crime, and work through the proper procedures for solving a crime.
• Law Enforcement Orientation
  • This class ensures that students know exactly what they are signing up for when they decide to go into the field of law enforcement.
• Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
  • In this class, touch on the theory of criminal investigation, procedures used to solve crimes, and the legality of questioning suspects.
• Traffic Administration and Enforcement
  • Prepare for traffic stops and enforcement of traffic laws in this class.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in West Virginia?

If you get practical experience as a criminal justice student, it may help you build connections with potential employers and qualify for various job openings. If your certificate in criminal justice gives you experience in the courtroom, consider becoming a bailiff and keeping court proceedings calm and safe. The average salary for a West Virginia bailiff is $31,870 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

Police officers work in almost every criminal justice setting, from community streets and roadways to courtrooms and police departments. In West Virginia, they earn an average of $48,310 per year (BLS, 2022). A 6% increase in job openings is predicted through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Through 2030, demand for security guards is expected to increase by 12% in West Virginia (CareerOneStop, 2022). The average annual income for a West Virginia security guard is $25,030 (BLS, 2022).

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

Today, make the choice to check out career and education opportunities in criminal justice. Browse the list of criminal justice and certificate programs below and contact schools in your area.

Online programs may not be available in all areas