Find Criminal Justice Schools in Plano, TX
Overview
Plano citizens rely on the criminal justice field as police and other justice professionals keep them safe. From police officers to security guards and jailers, criminal justice is embedded in the life of Plano, Texas.
One of the primary justice employers in Plano is the Plano Police Department. There are a number of divisions within the department that are designed to keep the community safe that you could apply for including:
- Court Security Officer
- Crime Prevention Unit
- Criminal Investigation Unit
- Emergency Service Response Unit
- K-9
- Patrol
- School Resource Officer
- Traffic / Motorcycle
- Narcotics
Whether you want to be a police officer or a different type of justice professional, you need a strong education in the field. There are a variety of schools in and around Plano. Look at our list of schools below, and contact any schools you may be interested in attending to request information and get started on your criminal justice education.
Don’t worry about limiting your school search to schools that are in your immediate vicinity. You can rely on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit to help you get to and from class. They offer service on four different rail lines, which gives you the ability to get all over the city. DART also has bus service and a trolley.
Criminal Justice Schools in Other Major Texas Cities
Criminal Justice Education in Plano
Once you decide to pursue a criminal justice career, you need to find a school that can help you get a jump start. There are a variety of two-year and four-year colleges in and around Plano, giving you the chance to earn an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree. You also have to choose between public and private schools in the area. Tuition rates vary significantly between schools. For example, tuition at the University of Texas Arlington is $4,439 per semester.
A criminal justice degree is meant to give you the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a multitude of career lines. As a result, you may need to take classes in a myriad of topics. Common courses include legal studies, corrections, police procedures, and courtroom procedures. Your school may require or suggest that you choose a concentration. This can prepare you for specialized job titles. You can also look into an internship as internships offer you valuable experience and networking opportunities.
Plano is home to many criminal justice organizations that are specific to different careers. If you join one of these organizations, you can network with professionals and hopefully improve your chance of getting hired. Consider joining groups like the North Texas Paralegal Association, the Plano Police Association, and the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates in Plano
As a new criminal justice graduate, there are many career paths you can pursue. Since the field is so diverse, your career options depend a lot on what type of degree you earn and what your education entails.
If you have an associate degree, you can look into many entry-level jobs. Consider some of the most popular Associate’s-level careers in Plano, listed here with their average salaries:
- Security guard: $35,340 per year (BLS, 2022)
- Bailiff: $60,270 per year (BLS, 2022)
- Correctional officer: $49,880 per year (BLS, 2022)
A bachelor’s degree can give you the skills needed to take on higher-level job titles, although you can also look into jobs in the fields listed above. These are some careers in the Plano area that you could pursue:
- Correctional officer supervisor: $70,930 per year (BLS, 2022)
- Detective: $87,410 per year (BLS, 2022)
- FBI agent: $81,000-$129,000 per year (FBI, 2024)
Of course, if you choose to work for the Plano Police Department you have to attend their police academy. As a new recruit, you can earn an annual salary of $80,889 per year (2022). You can earn more as you move through the ranks at the police department. Salaries can be as high as $104,732 per year after 36 months for recruit officers.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX positions contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.
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