Criminal Justice and Security Training Programs in Texas

Students at Texas colleges and universities enjoy being on one of the most distinctive American states. Everything really is big in Texas: big prairie, big sky, big herds of cattle, and yes, big cities. Whether you seek the sophistication of intellectual and artsy Austin, the cowboy culture of Forth Worth, the glitz of oil-rich Houston, or the seaside delights of Galveston, you are sure to find Texas a great place to live and study. The Lone Star State was once its own republic, and once you visit, you'll agree that there is not a lot that this state has in common with the rest of the country. Texas is a place where people are very sincere and their values can be old-fashioned. But they are generous and hospitable, and will make you feel at home.

Keeping the country safe: careers in criminal justice and security

Ensuring a certain degree of public safety is an essential job of any government. In the U.S. as with many nations, it's also a huge industry, offering hundreds of thousands of jobs across dozens of areas of public safety and law enforcement. Career opportunities are vast and varied, as are the educational options.

Career education for police departments, corrections, probation or parole

Those who can cope with a relatively high level of stress can enjoy careers in law enforcement and criminal justice with a lot of room for advancement. On average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), police officers earned an annual wage of $55,620 as of May 2011.

Depending on the state and county, police officers must hold at least a high school diploma, although most have completed some college coursework, if not a 4-year degree. The most popular degree for officers, detectives and investigators is in criminal justice. Classes that lead to a criminal justice degree typically include criminal procedure, criminology, forensic science and criminal law.

Corrections officers work in jails and prisons. They are tasked with keeping inmates and visitors safe, while following a myriad of rules and procedures. The mean annual wage for corrections officers was $42,780 as of May 2011, according to the BLS. Probation and parole officers monitor and supervise offenders with such sentences.

Law enforcement at the national level: homeland security and more

Careers on the federal level might include positions with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency or similar. Positions within these agencies are usually highly competitive and require criminal justice, computer or law degrees. Many also require a security clearance.

Author: Judy Jenner
Judy A. Jenner is a freelance writer and translator based in Las Vegas, NV. She's the author of one book, has written dozens of articles for industry publications around the world, and writes a monthly business column. Previously, Judy was the Spanish Content Manager for VEGAS.com and Content Manager for Mexico.com, where she wrote extensively about travel and tourism. Judy serves on the board of CLASS!, a bilingual newspaper for high school students, and is the president of the Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association. Judy holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Sources:

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Police and Detectives • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm • December 17, 2009

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 33-3051 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers • May 17, 2011 • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 33-3012 Correctional Officers and Jailers • May 17, 2011 • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 21-1092 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Sp • May 17, 2011 • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211092.htm

Undergraduate Courses • http://criminaljustice.unlv.edu/ • http://criminaljustice.unlv.edu/undergrad/courses.html

Uniformed Patrol • http://www.joinnlvpd.com • http://www.joinnlvpd.com/uniformed_patrol.htm

Criminal Justice and Security Education Training in Texas:

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Criminal Justice and Security Training Programs in Texas

Keeping the country safe: careers in criminal justice and security

Career education for police departments, corrections, probation or parole

Law enforcement at the national level: homeland security and more

Schools and Colleges in Texas