If you’re beginning to think that this may be the right field for you, the first step is finding a criminal justice school that can help you meet your goals. Go through our list of schools below and contact any schools you are interested in. Feel free to contact as many schools as you want, since you never know which school may be perfect for you.

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) serves Louisville and the surrounding area, making it easy for you to get to school. No matter where you live in the city, you can use TARC’s easy-to-use maps to find bus and train routes that run near you. You can save even more money by buying a weekly or monthly TARC pass.

Criminal Justice Education in Louisville

Thanks to the size of Louisville, it has several colleges and universities with criminal justice programs. In addition to getting a solid education with general education courses, you can take a variety of justice courses at an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree level.

It’s important to note that the criminal justice field is sizable in scope, so you can plan on taking courses in several different fields. You may explore coursework in criminology, criminal law, policing procedures, and victim assistance. Depending on the school you attend, you may even be able to choose a special field to focus on as you near the end of your education.

Getting experience in the field is an invaluable part of any education, particularly in the criminal justice field where you work directly with the public. Because of this, many schools require or at least encourage you to complete an internship. You may be able to complete your internship in your last year of school at a police station, courthouse, prison, or other criminal justice site.

Preparing to pay for your education is essential, since you may not have the funds up front to pay for tuition. Tuition costs vary; tuition at the University of Louisville is $4,875 for residents and $11,819 for non-residents. Many schools in Louisville offer assistance in the form of need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships. In addition, you may receive federal financial aid.

There are many criminal justice associations in and around Louisville. Joining up when you are a student can help you figure out your future career goals. Consider joining groups like the following:

• Louisville Association of Paralegals
• Kentucky Jailers’ Association
• Kentucky Society of Professional Investigators
• Louisville Metro Police Foundation

Request information from the schools listed below to compare and contrast different criminal justice programs!

Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates in Louisville

You can use your new criminal justice skills in a variety of settings and positions. Your job opportunities depend largely on the degree you earn—read on to learn more about Louisville criminal justice jobs!

If you want to become part of the Louisville Police Department, you have to go through their rigorous academy training. While in the academy, you can earn $46,280 per year. Once you graduate from the academy, your starting salary can be $56,861.60. As a police officer, you may want to join the Louisville Metro Police Foundation. This local group gives you information on special events and new initiatives.

With an Associate’s degree, there are several entry-level jobs you can pursue. Here’s a selection of job titles with their median salaries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2022:

• Correctional officer: $37,920 per year
• Security guard: $34,530 per year
• Bailiff: $34,170 per year

There are also many careers open to you if you have a Bachelor’s degree. See our list of job titles with their median Kentucky salaries:

• Detective: $87,210 per year
• Police and detectives supervisor: $66,410 per year
• Correctional officer supervisor: $46,670 per year

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN positions contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

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