Criminal Justice 1 yr.                                       CCAT

The Criminal Justice program falls under the broader field of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security. It is a multi-course sequence designed to prepare high school students for careers in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The program is designed to give students a broad overview of the criminal justice system and the various careers within and emphasizes hands-on training, career readiness, and real-world workplace protocols through the WVDE's Simulated Workplace initiative. 

Required Courses: 

• 1225 Fundamentals of Public Safety

• 1226 Ethical Issues in Public Safety

• 1039 Practical Applications of Public Safety

• 1031 Seminar in Courts and Legal Systems

Industry Credentials:

• OSHA 10

• First Aid/CPR

Leads to careers such as: 

• Police Officer (with additional college education or academy training)

• Correctional Officer

• Probation or Parole Officer (with additional college education)

• Security Officer / Loss Prevention Specialist

• Dispatcher / 911 Operator

• Forensic Science Technician (with additional college education)

• Criminal Investigator (with additional education and experience)

• Legal Assistant or Court Clerk

• Victim Advocate

• Child Protective Services worker

• Child Advocate

National Average Salary: 

• Police Officer: $65,000–$75,000

• Correctional Officer: $50,000–$60,000

• Dispatcher / 911 Operator: $45,000–$55,000

• Forensic Science Technician: $65,000–$85,000
  Probation / Parole Officer: $60,000–$70,000

West Virginia Average Salary: 

• Police Officer: $45,000–$55,000 per year

• Correctional Officer: $40,000–$50,000 per year

• Dispatcher / 911 Operator: $38,000–$45,000 per year
  Probation / Parole Officer: $55,000–$65,000 per year

Top-paying opportunities in WV:

• State and federal law enforcement agencies

• County sheriff’s departments

• Correctional institutions

• Emergency dispatch and communication centers

• Court administration and legal support services