Criminal Justice schools in South Carolina prepare students to work in a variety of criminal justice settings.
Colleges and universities throughout the state offer undergraduate and graduate programs that provide students with the knowledge and skills to work in entry-level criminal justice settings or to advance their criminal justice careers.
The field of criminal justice has experienced job growth across many areas.
The need for qualified criminal justice professionals expands across law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and criminal justice administration.
Enroll in one of the best criminal justice schools in South Carolina and start or enhance your criminal justice career opportunities.
Are you interested in teaching at the college or university level?
Perhaps your goal is to work in criminal justice administration.
Earn a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree to achieve your goal of becoming a professional in the field of criminal justice.
1 University of South Carolina
About the School
The University of South Carolina has been educating students for more than 200 years.
The fully accredited school provides students with engaging academic experiences and the opportunity to participate in research.
The university offers the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program for students who are interested in having a criminal justice career.
Courses Offered
Courses in the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program prepare students for criminal justice careers after earning their undergraduate degree or to continue their education by earning a graduate degree.
Students learn critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills as they relate to criminal justice.
They gain research skills and learn criminology theories.
Students also learn writing skills that are needed for criminal justice professionals.
The program encourages students to participate in volunteer work and to complete an internship.
Program courses include Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sociology of Crime, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Courts.
The school offers the Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program for students who hold an undergraduate degree.
Students who want to teach at the university level or who want a career in research or other advanced areas of criminal justice have the opportunity to complete the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of South Carolina.
Contact Information
- Address: 1305 Greene St., Columbia, S.C., 29208
- Phone: 803-777-4431
- Website: Visit School Website
2 South Carolina State University
About the School
South Carolina State University invites students to “be a real-world hero” by earning a degree to work in the criminal justice system.
The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program that explores the components of crime, the causes of crime, and special topics in criminal justice.
Courses Offered
The courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at South Carolina State University provide students with the knowledge and skills that are required for criminal justice professionals.
Coursework in the face-to-face program culminates with students designing an internship to further develop their interests and career path goals.
Some courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at South Carolina State University include Introduction to Criminal Justice, American Court Systems, Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice, and Applied Psychology for Law.
Contact Information
- Address: 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg, SC 29117
- Phone: 803-536-7000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Aiken Technical College
About the School
Aiken Technical College offers 45 associate degree programs, in addition to offering several certificate programs and diploma programs.
The college serves an estimated 2,000 students each semester.
Students who are interested in a criminal justice career have the option of completing an associate degree program or a police pre-academy certificate program at the school.
Courses Offered
Aiken Technical College offers an Associate in Arts program for criminal justice students who want to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree.
The program also focuses on current criminal justice professionals who want to advance their current career in criminal justice.
The Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice program at Aiken Technical College is also designed for students who want to start their career after earning their associate degree.
Some program courses include Correctional Systems, Police Community Relations, Juvenile Delinquency, Criminalistics, and Terrorism and Homeland Security.
Contact Information
- Address: 2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829
- Phone: 803-593-9231
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Anderson University
About the School
Anderson University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the traditional format and in an online format.
The school is a rapidly growing private university.
The school offers the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program for students who are interested in pursuing a criminal justice career.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program at Anderson University complete traditional courses that are offered in criminal justice programs.
They also complete courses that are related to current issues in criminal justice.
The school recognizes that in the 21st century, it is important for the school to include topics on issues such as cybercrime, terrorism, and homeland security in the program.
Courses in the program include Criminal Law, Criminal Investigation, Corrections, Judicial Systems and Practices, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Contemporary Issues.
Students also complete 24 credit hours of elective courses.
The last semester of courses includes the Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice requirement.
It is a three-credit hour course.
Contact Information
- Address: 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
- Phone: 864-231-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Claflin University
About the School
Claflin University strives to educate students to become visionary leaders.
The accredited school challenges students to realize their full potential.
Students have the opportunity to complete program requirements in a traditional on-campus format or in an online format when they enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the bachelor’s degree in criminal justice program at Claflin University complete courses that provide them with an overview of all areas of criminal justice.
The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills that they need to start or advance their criminal justice career in law enforcement, corrections, or justice administration.
Program courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program include Law Enforcement Systems, Judicial Administration, Introduction to Forensic Science, Criminology, and Terrorism.
Elective courses include Legal Research and Records, Cybercrime, and Violent Crime.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115
- Phone: 803-535-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Limestone University
About the School
Limestone University opened its doors in 1845.
It was the first women’s college in the State of South Carolina and one of the first women’s colleges in the country.
The school became a co-educational university in the 1960s.
It has been educating men and women in several academic areas, including in the field of criminal justice.
One program offered at the school is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law program that is offered at Limestone University is geared towards students who want to attend law school or who want to have a career in another area of law.
The program consists of 120 credit hours of study.
Some courses in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law program include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Theory, Process, and Practices, Theories of Criminal Justice, and Research Methods in Criminal Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 1115 College Dr., Gaffney, SC 29340
- Phone: 864-489-7151
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Morris College
About the School
Morris College received a Certificate of Incorporation from the State of South Carolina in 1911.
The college grew and began to offer additional educational opportunities for students.
Today, the career-focused, accredited school educates students by offering a variety of programs, including the criminal justice program.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the bachelor’s in criminal justice program at Morris College complete 122 credit hours of study.
The program curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills that prepare them for working across many areas of criminal justice.
Students often choose to continue their education after graduation by earning a graduate degree.
Some courses in the bachelor’s degree program include Law Enforcement Systems, Corrections, Probation, Pardon and Parole Systems, Criminal Investigation, and Criminal Forensics.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 West College St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150
- Phone: 803-934-3200
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | University of South Carolina |
|
#2 | South Carolina State University |
|
#3 | Aiken Technical College |
|
#4 | Anderson University |
|
#5 | Claflin University |
|
#6 | Limestone University |
|
#7 | Morris College |
Criminal Justice Salary Information
The salary for criminal justice professionals varies, based on the setting where the criminal justice professional works, and the length of time that the person has worked in criminal justice.
A criminal justice specialist who starts their first job in the field is not likely to earn the same salary as someone who has several years of experience as a criminal justice professional.
The anticipated job growth in criminal justice over the next several years means that criminal justice professionals in South Carolina have the opportunity to work at the local, state, or federal level.
The site salary.com indicates that the median salary for a criminal justice specialist who works in South Carolina is $47,522.
The location where a criminal justice professional works within the state also affects their salary.
A person who works as a criminal justice specialist in Anderson earns a median salary of $47,189, while a person who works as a criminal justice specialist in Chester earns a median salary of $49,334.
A criminal justice professional who works in Greenwood, South Carolina earns a median salary of $47,209, while a person who works as a criminal justice specialist earns a median salary of $45,800.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$53K |
|
$71K |
|
$79K |
Average Salary in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $70,646 |
| Charleston | $72,399 |
| North Charleston | $72,399 |
| Greenville | $72,038 |
| Rock Hill | $75,042 |
| Mount Pleasant | $72,399 |
| Spartanburg | $71,657 |
| Sumter | $68,173 |
| Hilton Head Island | $71,176 |
| Florence | $68,721 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 160 | $100,970 | $48.54 | $160,040 | $50,090 |
| Columbia, SC | 420 | $74,340 | $35.74 | $139,530 | $47,350 |
| Florence, SC | 70 | $66,790 | $32.11 | $139,530 | $45,740 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 200 | $77,740 | $37.37 | $147,740 | $50,050 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 120 | $66,480 | $31.96 | $80,280 | $52,460 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 50 | $53,110 | $25.53 | $62,730 | $40,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Criminal Justice Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
I appreciate the detailed descriptions and highlights of each program. It really helps in understanding what makes each school unique.