Where in Wyoming Can I Earn a Degree in Criminal Justice?

Career Information and Job Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in Wyoming

A degree in criminal justice studies can prepare you for a number of careers in protective services. Some graduates become police or sheriff's patrol officers, while others may work in corrections. In order to become a police officer in certain areas of Wyoming, you only need to have a high school diploma or a GED. For example, the only educational requirement the city of Cheyenne has for police officers is a high school diploma or its equivalent.

According to information published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May of 2011 there were 1,310 police and sheriff's patrol officers employed in Wyoming. The BLS also reported that these officers earned an average annual salary of approximately $50,000. On a national level, the BLS expects jobs for police officers to increase slowly over the next decade. The agency projects a 7% increase in police jobs between 2010 and 2020. Correctional officers were reported to have a slightly lower employment growth rate during that same period, according to the BLS. Those employed in Wyoming - about 1,100 - earned a mean annual wage of $40,310 in May 2011.

Associate's Degree Programs in Wyoming

Casper College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts or Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
• Areas of Specialization: corrections, policing
• Program Length: two years, full-time
• Tuition: $1,116 per semester for state residents enrolled full-time, $2,916 per semester for nonresidents enrolled full-time (some Western states' residents may pay less than this) (as of Fall 2012 semester)
• School Type: 2-year public; about 4,400 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 125 College Dr., Casper, Wyoming 82601-4699
• Phone: (307) 268-2110

Casper College offers several associate degree programs in criminal justice. In addition to the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, the school offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees with two concentration options; one designed for prospective corrections professionals and the other for prospective police officers. Each program is engineered to provide an overview of the field and help prepare you for entry-level policing or corrections work. Classes include psychology and sociology, criminal justice concepts and criminal law, in addition to corrections or policing courses as appropriate. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to complete an internship in your concentration of interest. You may also decide to continue your education at the bachelor's degree level.

Laramie County Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Areas of Specialization: corrections, law enforcement, pre-law
• Program Length: two years, full-time
• Tuition: $900 per semester for state residents enrolled full-time, $2,700 per semester for nonresidents enrolled full-time (some Western states' residents may pay less than this) (2012-2013)
• School Type: 2-year public; about 5,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY 82007-3299
• Phone: (307) 778-5222 x1357

Laramie County Community College offers an associate degree program in criminal justice. This is a program that is split into three concentrations: law enforcement, pre-law and corrections. Each concentration includes a year of specialized courses for that particular area of interest. For example, law enforcement students will take criminology, criminal investigation and juvenile justice in addition to the college's criminal justice and general education requirements. Corrections and pre-law track students prepare for transfer to bachelor's degree completion programs for further education and training toward career goals.

Sheridan College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
• Areas of Specialization: law enforcement, victim advocacy, private security, corrections
• Program Length: two years, full-time
• Tuition: $1,199 per semester for state residents enrolled full-time (12 credits), $2,999 per semester for nonresidents enrolled full-time (12 credits), (some Western states' residents may pay less than this) (2012-2013)
• School Type: 2-year public; 3,888 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 3059 S Coffeen Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801
• Phone: (307) 674-6446

Sheridan College features four possible concentrations in their criminal justice associate degree program. You can select corrections, law enforcement, victim advocacy or security. The corrections and victim advocacy concentrations include adult and juvenile services. All of these concentrations can help prepare you for entry-level criminal justice work. Sheridan also designs these programs for students interested in transferring into a bachelor's degree program in their field of interest.

Bachelor's Degree Programs in Wyoming

University of Wyoming

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Program Length: four years, full-time
• Tuition: $4,278 per year for residents enrolled full-time (15 credits); $13,428 per year for non-residents enrolled full-time (15 credits) (2012-2013)
• School Type: 4-year public; about 10,000 undergraduate students and about 3,000 graduate students
• Address: Corner of Ninth and Ivinson, Laramie, WY 82071
• Phone: (307) 766-1121

The University of Wyoming offers a bachelor's degree program in criminal justice. Core classes in crime and deviance, criminal justice institutions and criminal justice processes are required, along with foundation classes in criminal justice, research methods, policing, corrections, criminal law and criminology.