Montana Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Overview

Located in the western part of the country, the state of Montana offers beautiful mountain landscapes highlighted by the picturesque Rocky Mountains. Montana is sometimes referred to as “Big Sky Country” due to its breathtaking landscapes, featuring wide-open skies and beautiful mountain scenery. Skiing and snowboarding are popular activities, as are hunting and fishing. The state is home to roughly one million people, many of whom reside in the capital city of Helena, as well as Billings, another major city.

Criminal Justice Education in Montana

Five schools offer either associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s programs in criminal justice education in Montana. If you’re looking to earn your associate’s degrees, you could look into various law enforcement and corrections positions. Four-year bachelor’s degrees are often required for entry into various state and federal criminal justice positions. Or, a master’s degree can help you pursue advancement into management and administrative positions.

Find out more about the criminal justice colleges near you! Be sure to request information from multiple schools so you can compare programs and find the best fit for you.

When you enroll in a criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you will usually find that coursework is structured around a core curriculum. Courses in English, math and science are typically required for a criminal justice education. You will have the freedom to include some elective courses, often more so during the second and third years. Bachelor’s degree programs in criminal justice often include courses similar to the following:

• The U.S. Criminal Justice System: An Introduction
• The Basics of Criminal Law
• American Criminal Justice History
• The Legal and Judicial System in America
• Criminal Justice Research Methodologies
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• U.S. Race Relations
• Legal Writing and Research

A four-year program often includes work outside of the classroom that provides candidates with relevant “hands-on” experience. During the third year, a semester of field work is often included in the curriculum. In the fourth and final year, you may find that an off-site internship could occupy the majority of your time. Increasingly, educational institutions are allowing some of the degree coursework to be completed online. This can be helpful if you are looking to fit your studies in around your busy lifestyle.

If you are concerned about paying for school, you may want to visit this page to learn more about criminal justice scholarships.

Financial aid programs specific to Montana include the Montana Governor’s Postsecondary Scholarship and the Montana U.S. Senate Youth Program. Many scholarships and grants are provided through specific educational institutions in the state, notably the state universities.

Outlook for Criminal Justice in Montana

Many criminal justice positions in Montana are found around the primary population centers of Billings and Helena. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that growth in criminal justice jobs will be in the range of 3% through the year 2030.

A graduate with a criminal justice degree in Montana may find federal government positions with the Border Patrol, the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the National Park Service. Security positions exist in and around the major national parks: Yellowstone and Glacier. Those with four-year degrees may often seek employment as parole and probation officers. Masters degrees often allow further advancement in these fields. Other opportunities exist in the private sector. Campus security, retail security and private investigations offer graduates varying career paths.

We’ve put together the salary for some top criminal justice career paths below. Data found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2022.

Probation Officer: $48,160
Correction Officer: $43,440
Paralegal: $58,190
Police Officer: $61,250
Detective: $86,120

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.

Contact the Montana Criminal Justice schools listed on our site to learn more about your options for entering this essential career field.