Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Wyoming

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Criminal justice professionals study the causes of illegal behavior and protect their communities by arresting criminals. Career options include law enforcement, environmental protection, forensic investigation, homeland security, emergency response and management, and policy research and law. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that job openings for criminal justice professionals will continue to grow through 2026, with exceptional increases for forensic science technicians (17%), private investigators (11%), and legal assistants (15%).

job openings for criminal justice professionals will continue to grow through 2026, with exceptional increases for forensic science technicians (17%), private investigators (11%), and legal assistants (15%) Bureau of Labor Statistics

Individuals who earn their criminal justice degree in Wyoming can enjoy a healthy state economy and bountiful employment prospects. Unemployment in the Equality State has decreased over the past few years, standing at 3.8% as of April 2018. The Wyoming state government reports a relatively low overall cost of living. PayScale calculates that Laramie and Cheyenne residents enjoy living costs 5% below the national average. This affordability, coupled with an average mean salary of $47,650 per year, makes Wyoming a great place to earn an education and pursue a career.

Earning an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Wyoming

Online criminal justice degrees in Wyoming provide busy students with accessible opportunities for new jobs and career advancement. Distance learners complete coursework through a virtual learning platform such as Blackboard or Canvas. Online classes often follow an asynchronous format, enabling students to access materials and participate in discussions at their own convenience. Online programs also give students the option to take accelerated classes, usually lasting seven or eight weeks, so they can earn their degree in less time than in a traditional program. With proper prerequisites and general education requirements, students can earn their criminal justice bachelor’s degree in one to two years.

Another major benefit of distance education is affordability. Many colleges and universities disregard residency status for online students and provide discounted rates to distance learners. Scholarships and grants for online students make distance education even more affordable. Professionals who already work in the field can receive college credit for career training and experience, thereby reducing costs and degree completion time.

Advanced programs may require in-person experiences such as an internships or service-learning opportunities. Online students can usually complete these experiences with an organization in their local communities. Working students may be able to complete these experiences with their current employer.

Accredited Criminal Justice Programs in Wyoming

In order to confer valid online criminal justice degrees, Wyoming colleges and universities must hold regional or national accreditation. Regional accreditation indicates approval from one of six organizations, depending on the school’s location. Wyoming schools earn regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

National accreditation indicates official backing from an organization approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED)

Most employers and graduate schools prefer degrees from regionally accredited institutions because they adhere to more rigorous standards. National accreditation indicates official backing from an organization approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED). For more information on nationally accredited schools, consult the ED’s database.

Accredited colleges and universities receive federal funding, including scholarships and grants for their students. These schools may also receive financial and institutional assistance from CHEA. Most employers do not recognize academic credentials from unaccredited schools. Furthermore, accredited colleges and universities only accept transfer credits from other accredited institutions.

In addition to regional and national recognition, criminal justice degrees in Wyoming can also hold specialized accreditation from professional organizations such as the Academy for Criminal Justice Sciences. Students in these programs earn degrees respected by professionals in the field. These students also receive additional networking opportunities and career resources.

Education and Training Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in Wyoming

Diverse careers await students who pursue an online criminal justice degree in Wyoming at any level. Those who want to enter the workforce upon earning an associate degree may choose from professions such as police officer, fire inspector, paralegal, security personnel, and forensic science technician. These positions emphasize specialized training outside the traditional classroom as well as skills and experience cultivated while on the job. For example, police officers undergo physical conditioning as well as specific training in firearm safety and usage, practical force, emergency vehicle operation, and patrol exercises. This type of professional development is completed through programs external to colleges and universities, like the ones offered by the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.

Professionals who who earn four-year criminal justice degrees in Wyoming and those who go on to complete a master’s or Ph.D. open the doors to leadership and research-oriented careers in fields like education, information security, scientific investigations, and program management. These careers may necessitate additional training in the form of professional certification and licensure that test up-to-date skill knowledge and application crucial to advanced careers.

Licensing, Registration, and Certification Requirements in Wyoming

After obtaining an online criminal justice degree in Wyoming, students may need to pursue

additional training, licensure, or certification depending on their specific career. Licensure indicates official recognition from a governing body. Licensure is typically mandatory to legally work in particular fields. Certification, on the other hand, demonstrates optional training and proficiency in specialized skills. For example, private investigators and security personnel can obtain the professional certified investigator certificate and the certified protection professional certificate from the American Society for Industrial Security International.

Wyoming only requires law enforcement officers to earn a high school diploma or equivalent; be U.S. citizens 21 years of age or older; hold a valid driver’s license and no prior felony convictions; and have the ability to obtain a firearm permit

Law enforcement is one of the most popular careers in the criminal justice field because it requires little college education. In fact, Wyoming only requires law enforcement officers to earn a high school diploma or equivalent; be U.S. citizens 21 years of age or older; hold a valid driver’s license and no prior felony convictions; and have the ability to obtain a firearm permit. Eligible candidates then undergo training with the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. Candidates must pass the physical assessment, written examination, and a background check. After completing this process, licensed officers can apply for work. Individual cities and counties may require additional qualifications.

More advanced positions as detective, crime scene investigator, sheriff, or police chief typically require higher education. These professionals usually hold a bachelor’s degree and professional certification.

Regulations, especially those for firearms, change frequently. Although these regulations are state-specific, reciprocity agreements make transferring licensure relatively uncomplicated. Currently, Wyoming firearm permits take 90 days to obtain and last five years. Consult the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation or Attorney General’s Office for more information.

Career and Salary Expectations

For professionals who have earned their online criminal justice degree, Wyoming offers exciting career opportunities in areas such as law enforcement, private security, corrections and law, and forensic science. The BLS reports that, in Wyoming, the mean hourly wage for protective service occupations is $21.94, while the annual mean wage is $45,640. Professionals in legal occupations earn an annual wage of $75,910, while those who teach at the university level earn about $61,630. According to BLS employment projections, some of the fastest-growing careers include information security analysts, crime statisticians, and fire inspectors and preventionists.

The three tables below present employment and wage information for criminal justice positions, including jobs in protective services and corrections. Students can use this information as a starting point for career research and planning. However, the numbers below do not factor in employer type, location, professional credentials, or education. The employment data also does not include self-employed professionals. Like in most professions, experience is the strongest factor in determining salary for criminal justice workers. Obtaining an online degree can help you earn higher wages and advance to managerial roles.

Protective Services Occupations in Wyoming

OccupationEmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage annual Wage
Firefighters460$21.64$45,010
Fish and Game Wardens80$28.57$59,420
Detectives and Criminal Investigators1,350$37.34$77,660
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers1,100$27.04$56,240
Transportation Security Screeners50$19.01 $39,540
Security Guards840$15.64$32,530
Source: BLS, May 2017

Court and Corrections Occupations in Wyoming

OccupationEmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage annual Wage
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists170$23.70$49,290
Lawyers820$47.16$98,090
Paralegals and Legal Assistants440$24.14$50,210
Correctional Officers and Jailers870$20.37$42,370
Source: BLS, May 2017

Other Criminal Justice Occupations in Wyoming

OccupationEmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage annual Wage
Forensic Science Technicians40$27.80$57,820
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary40N/A$61,630
Source: BLS, May 2017

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Obtaining a Wyoming online criminal justice degree requires substantial investment of both time and money. Luckily, ample scholarships and grants exist for criminal justice students and Wyoming residents. In addition to the 10 scholarships listed below, students should seek out awards from businesses and organizations in their local communities.

Criminal Justice Scholarships

Wyoming Peace Officers Association Scholarships $500-$1,000

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be Wyoming residents and members of WPOA or dependents of WPOA members. Applicants must also major in law enforcement or criminal justice at a higher education institution in the state. View Scholarship

Wyoming School Resource Officer Association Scholarship $500

Who Can Apply: The award is open to Wyoming high school seniors who plan to major in law, education, or criminal justice at a college or university in the state. View Scholarship

My Alarm Center Scholarship $1,000

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be high school seniors, college freshmen, or college seniors studying law, criminal justice, or a related field. Applicants must not be related to any My Alarm Center staff member. View Scholarship

Brian Terry Foundation Scholarship Varies

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be accepted into or currently attending an undergraduate criminal justice program. Applicants must intend to pursue a career in law enforcement. Students must also be U.S. citizens and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. View Scholarship

Scholarships for Wyoming Residents

Wyoming Highway Patrol Association Scholarship $1,000

Who Can Apply: The award is open to any members of WHPA who plan to attend a college or university in the state. Though candidates can pursue any major, the association prefers students who plan to study criminal justice or law enforcement. Spouses and dependents of WHPA members are also eligible to apply. View Scholarship

Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Western Regional Chapter $5,000

Who Can Apply: KASF offers this award to Wyoming residents who attend or plan on attending a designated state school. Candidates should be Korean Americans with a minimum 3.0 GPA. View Scholarship

Peter George Douvas Memorial Scholarship $500

Who Can Apply: The award is open to Wyoming high school seniors between the ages of 18 and 22 who are also first-generation Americans. Candidates must attend the University of Wyoming or a state community college. View Scholarship

Hathaway Scholarship $840-$1,680

Who Can Apply: Candidates must be Wyoming residents enrolled in a program at one of nine participating state colleges and universities. The scholarship features four tiers for students with different academic achievements and financial need. View Scholarship

The Daniels Fund Scholarship Program Varies

Who Can Apply: The award is available to Wyoming high school seniors who plan on completing a bachelor’s program. Applicants must submit adequate ACT or SAT scores and demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving their communities. View Scholarship

Resources for Criminal Justice Students in Wyoming

Law Enforcement Agencies in Wyoming

Professional Organizations

Students who earn their criminal justice degree online in Wyoming can benefit from membership in professional organizations such as the ones listed below. Although some associations require an annual fee, students receive extensive services and resources worth the cost of membership. Benefits include research grants, academic scholarships, conferences, networking experiences, certifications, and career guidance. These opportunities greatly bolster professional opportunities. Furthermore, the criminal justice field evolves quickly, especially in terms of government regulations and technological innovations. Professional organizations help keep their members up-to-date on these important developments.

Wyoming Peace Officers Association

Formed in 1923, WPOA represents and supports criminal justice professionals, including correctional officers, coroners, game wardens, and detention officers. Members enjoy scholarships, training opportunities, networking events, and an annual conference.

Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police

WASCOP provides awards, job listings, and conferences to criminal justice professionals in Wyoming. Members can access up-to-date research and reports on crime and drug laws in the state. The association also partners with related organizations, including the State of Wyoming Office of Highway Safety and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy

WLEA specializes in basic and advanced training programs for coroners, police officers, and other law enforcement professionals. Online courses include rules of evidence, basic law, and investigative detention. The academy also provides scholarships and career opportunities.

National Criminal Justice Association

NCJA has supported criminal justice agencies and professionals for more than 40 years. The association reviews legislation, advocates for beneficial policies, and hosts certification training programs. Members benefit from national networking events and the Connect2Justice online community.

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Founded in 1948, AAFS connects its 7,000 members through conferences and international educational outreach programs. In addition to accrediting colleges and universities, the academy provides students with career resources and skill-building, research-centered summer camps.

American Correctional Association

ACA stands as the oldest criminal justice organization in the U.S. The association provides scholarship and internship opportunities in global corrections. Members also gain access to conferences, on-site events, and online professional development programs.

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