Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Mississippi
Updated October 2, 2026
Mississippi doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree for most entry-level law enforcement or corrections jobs, which fall under separate state certification boards. A degree can still open education incentives, advancement opportunities, or agency-specific positions, and some federal law-enforcement jobs, including FBI special agent, require one outright. As of May 2025 BLS data, Mississippi’s median pay runs $46,140 for patrol officers and $58,640 for detectives, and 12 in-state schools offer bachelor’s programs in criminal-justice-related fields.
Mississippi’s criminal justice system runs into the same problems you’ll read about nationally: overcrowded facilities, long sentences for young offenders, and agencies stretched thin. A bachelor’s degree won’t fix any of that by itself, but it’s the credential that gets you into the rooms where policy gets made, not just the jobs that enforce it.
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Why Mississippi Needs More Criminal Justice Professionals
Research has associated juvenile incarceration with worse educational and later justice-system outcomes, which is exactly the kind of systemic problem a trained professional, not just a well-meaning one, is positioned to change.
Reform pressure is already building from unexpected corners. Clergy across the state have organized to push back against abuse inside the private prison system, and a bachelor’s-level understanding of corrections policy is what lets you work alongside advocates like that instead of past them.
Legislative change is part of the job too. A push to restore voting rights to former felons is the kind of policy fight where a criminal justice degree gives you a seat at the table.
What You’ll Study in a Mississippi Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Program
Coursework varies by school, but programs may cover criminal law, corrections, law enforcement, criminal procedure, evidence, ethics, and criminal-justice administration. Check the specific course catalog at each school you’re considering, since requirements differ by institution.
Financial aid varies school to school, so check each program’s aid office before you commit. Some scholarships are tied to a specific school, like the Congressman Larkin I. Smith Scholarship, the Larry Mitchell Wilson Memorial Scholarship, and the John Payne Endowment at USM. The Garry M. Welford Memorial Scholarship pays out $1,000 per student.
Pay and Job Growth for Criminal Justice Careers in Mississippi
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
As of May 2025 BLS data, Mississippi’s 8,070 patrol officers earn a median $46,140 a year. The field is growing too: ProjectionsCentral’s 2024-34 state projections put Mississippi patrol jobs climbing from 8,590 to 8,970, a 4.4% increase, with 680 average annual openings as officers retire or move up.
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Corrections is a different story. May 2025 BLS data puts the Mississippi median at $38,720 a year for the state’s 4,040 correctional officers, and the 2024-34 ProjectionsCentral outlook shows the role shrinking, from 5,110 positions down to 4,770, a 6.6% decline. That’s still 400 average annual openings from turnover, but it’s a field contracting, not growing.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Detective work pays better and grows slower. Mississippi’s 810 detectives earn a median $58,640 a year as of May 2025 BLS data, with 2024-34 growth projected at a modest 1.9%, from 920 to 930 positions statewide.
Where to Study Criminal Justice in Mississippi
Per U.S. Department of Education data, 12 Mississippi institutions offer a bachelor’s-level program in criminal-justice-related fields, specifically Criminal Justice and Corrections or Legal Support Services, as tracked in this dataset. Not every listed program is a criminal justice degree itself; several schools offer only the Legal Support Services track. Confirm current enrollment, format, admission requirements, and the exact program name directly with each school before applying; federal data reflects what a school reported, not necessarily this semester’s catalog.
| Institution | City | Control | Bachelor’s Program(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | Alcorn State | Public | Criminal Justice |
| Belhaven University | Jackson | Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain | Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice |
| Delta State University | Cleveland | Public | Criminal Justice |
| Jackson State University | Jackson | Public | Criminal Justice |
| Mississippi College | Clinton | Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services |
| Mississippi University for Women | Columbus | Public | Legal Support Services |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena | Public | Criminal Justice |
| Strayer University-Mississippi | Jackson | Private for-profit | Criminal Justice |
| University of Mississippi | University | Public | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg | Public | Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services, Security Science and Technology |
| William Carey University | Hattiesburg | Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice |
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, Correctional Officers and Jailers, and Detectives and Criminal Investigators. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to become a police officer in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi does not generally require a bachelor’s degree for law-enforcement certification. BLEOST sets statewide minimum employment and certification standards, including being at least 21, a U.S. citizen, and a high-school graduate or GED recipient, along with other eligibility requirements. Officers must also satisfy BLEOST training and certification requirements; individual agencies may impose additional hiring standards. A bachelor’s degree may still qualify applicants for education incentives, advancement opportunities, or degree-required positions, depending on the agency; it’s also required for some federal law-enforcement positions, including FBI special agent positions.
What will I study in a Mississippi criminal justice bachelor’s program?
Coursework varies by school, but programs may cover criminal law, corrections, law enforcement, criminal procedure, evidence, ethics, and criminal-justice administration. Check the specific course catalog at each school you’re considering, since requirements differ by institution.
How much do criminal justice jobs pay in Mississippi?
As of May 2025 BLS data, Mississippi patrol officers earn a median $46,140 a year, correctional officers $38,720, and detectives $58,640. Pay varies by agency, jurisdiction, and years of service.
Is the criminal justice job market growing in Mississippi?
It depends on the role. Patrol-officer and detective employment is projected to grow through 2034, while correctional-officer employment is projected to decline, per 2024-34 ProjectionsCentral data.
Key Takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree isn’t required for entry-level law enforcement or corrections work in Mississippi, but certification is – BLEOST sets training and certification standards for law enforcement officers, while jail officers fall under the separate Board on Jail Officer Standards and Training (BJOST), which requires the 96-hour Standardized Detention Officer Course plus CPR/First Aid. A bachelor’s raises your ceiling, not your floor.
- Twelve Mississippi institutions offer a bachelor’s-level program in criminal-justice-related fields (criminal justice and corrections, or legal support services), per federal education data, not all of them criminal justice degrees specifically.
- Pay varies sharply by specialty – detectives earn roughly 50% more than correctional officers at the Mississippi median.
- Corrections is a shrinking field in Mississippi – patrol and detective roles are growing; correctional officer positions are not.
- Scholarships are often school-specific, so check each program’s financial aid office directly before you commit.
The school table above is a starting point, not a complete list of every option, so use it alongside direct contact with admissions at the programs you’re considering.
Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.