Criminal justice refers to the set of laws, rules, and systems that prevent crime and punish lawbreakers. The criminal justice system has multiple agencies, including law enforcement, courts, and correctional institutions.
Criminal justice employers may require applicants to hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field. Prospective criminal justice professionals can choose from over 100 relevant programs in Texas. Students can identify their career goals and choose a program that best suits their needs.
Quick Facts
Texas saw a 328% increase in incarcerated individuals from 1983 to 2015, according to the Vera Institute
According to theNational Institute of Corrections (NIC), Texas had 252 jails and a state budget of over $3 billion.
Texas employed around 30,453 people at their state-operated correctional facilities
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Overview of Criminal Justice Education in Texas
Higher Education in Texas
192Total nonprofit postsecondary schools
120Schools that offer criminal justice degrees and certificates
The best criminal justice schools in Texas may offer bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs. Schools may offer undergraduate criminal justice programs as BA or BS degrees. A BA program focuses on social sciences while the BS program focuses on technical and quantitative topics.
BA graduates can pursue law enforcement administration or criminology roles. BS graduates can pursue science-intensive roles, including fraud investigator or forensic scientist.
Many Texas schools offer general criminal justice degrees, but students can also find majors related to criminology, juvenile justice, and national security. These other programs may have different major courses, elective opportunities, and available minors. Relevant minor choices may include forensic science or criminal justice and criminology.
Programs may require attendees to complete an internship with a local agency or organization. Attendees can also join student criminal justice organizations, which may offer networking, career information, and training programs.
Criminal Justice Schools in Texas
This section highlights schools in Texas that offer criminal justice degrees. The schools are unranked and presented alphabetically by institution name. To qualify for inclusion on this list, the school had to be nonprofit, be accredited, and offer at least one bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Careers in Texas
Texas, one of the largest employers of criminal justice professionals in the U.S., has the highest and second-highest employment numbers nationally for detective and police respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Projections Central projects that many criminal justice careers in Texas may grow by double digits from 2020-2030.
Job-seekers can start their criminal justice career search on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) website. The TDCJ career page offers jobs varying from accountant to warden. People can filter available positions by region, job category, and salary range.
Criminal justice careers in Texas can be lucrative. Both administrative law judges and first-line supervisors of police had a 2023 median salary above $100,000. Professionals in Texas may make above or below the U.S. median salary, depending on position.
Read More:Texas State Trooper RequirementsAustin Police Department Officer RequirementsDallas Police Department Officer RequirementsHouston Police Department Officer RequirementsSan Antonio Police Department Officer Requirements
| Job | Employment (2023) | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2020-30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police officers and sheriff's patrol officers | 57,760 | $74,010 | 12.8% |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 16,460 | $89,390 | 8.1% |
| Transit and railroad police | 380 | $72,250 | 20% |
| Fish and game wardens | N/A | N/A | 6% |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | 6,180 | $105,840 | 12.2% |
| Public safety telecommunicators (police and fire dispatchers) | 7,940 | $45,590 | N/A |
| Transportation security screeners | 4,460 | $49,520 | 7.5% |
| Forensic science technicians | 2,220 | $55,600 | 22% |
| Correctional officers and jailers | 35,570 | $48,030 | N/A |
| First-line supervisors of correctional officers | 4,410 | $56,600 | 3.2% |
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 6,460 | $47,470 | N/A |
| Bailiffs | 360 | $61,270 | N/A |
| Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers | 850 | $103,650 | 10.2% |
| Lawyers | 45,950 | $145,000 | 19.3% |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | 28,140 | $58,740 | 23.2% |
| Legal secretaries | 10,410 | $45,730 | -13.3% |
| Municipal, license, and court clerks | 10,670 | $43,040 | 11.7% |
| Court reporters and simultaneous captioners | 630 | $99,250 | N/A |
| Security guards | 98,660 | $31,530 | 20.8% |
| Private investigators and detectives | 2,760 | $49,740 | 24% |
| Emergency management directors | 1080 | $94,170 | 14.5% |
| Postsecondary criminal justice teachers | 890 | $76,680 | 19.5% |
Source: BLS OEWS, Projections Central
How to Choose the Best Criminal Justice School in Texas
Multiple institutions within Texas offer criminal justice programs that look similar. Applicants can find their ideal match by comparing important variables between the best criminal justice schools in Texas.
Accreditation
Students should ensure their future school has institutional accreditation. Accrediting agencies accredit schools that meet a certain threshold of learning. Non-accredited institutions may provide an insufficient education, which future schools or employers may not recognize. The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) provides institutional accreditation to Texas schools.
Cost
Institutional tuition price can vary based on a school's reputation, private vs. public schools, class sizes, and more. Out-of-state attendees may need to pay a premium compared to in-state enrollees. U.S. undergraduate criminology attendees paid an average annual tuition of $10,450, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Program Format
Criminal justice programs may offer fully online, on-campus, or hybrid programs. Online attendees usually have additional flexibility, including asynchronous classes and creating their own study pace. On-campus students must follow a more rigid schedule, but have the opportunity to network with classmates, professors, and mentors.
Curriculum and Instructor Expertise
Programs may offer various types of professors and curriculums. Criminal justice professors may be life-long teachers or have hands-on experience in specific fields. Curriculums may focus on different aspects of the field, including social issues, justice systems, or research methods. Enrollees should consider the type of professor and curriculum focus when applying to schools.
Student Support Services
Schools can offer different student support services, including career counseling, mental health support, and complementary tutoring. Prospective enrollees should identify their personal needs and research the services offered by each school. Institutions that do not offer specific services may refer attendees to third party providers.
Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Students in Texas
Postsecondary enrollees can utilize financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans, to help pay for their education. Over 57% of Texas nonprofit undergraduate enrollees received a grant or scholarship, while over 25% received loans, according to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Federal Financial Aid
Postsecondary students can submit theFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal student aid. Federal student aid can include grants, loans, and work-study programs. Aid can be need-based or competitive.
Government and nonprofit employees, including criminal justice professionals, may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Qualified employees that made at least 120 monthly loan payments can receive forgiveness on the remaining loan balance.
State Financial Aid
Texas offers state financial aid programs to Texas-based enrollees. Residents attending school in another state do not qualify for these programs. Texas students can apply to scholarships and grants, including the tuition equalization grant and license plate insignia scholarship. Each financial aid package has prerequisites, which may include school type and financial need.
Criminal Justice Scholarships for Texas Students
Criminal Justice Resources in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Criminal Justice Schools in Texas
A singular school cannot have the best criminal justice program for all prospective students. Enrollees have unique needs and career goals, which may be well-suited to a particular criminal justice program. Although a program can be perfect for some enrollees, it may not represent the requirements of all students.
