The goals of the criminal justice system in South Carolina touch on every aspect of this industry. From law enforcement and corrections to crime prevention and criminology, highly educated experts are behind policy changes, evidence-based laws, and change.
What Can I Do With My Master's in Criminal Justice in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, this includes leaders at every level of government and researchers.
If you want to know how you can use your experience to guide change in criminal justice, find out more about your options by requesting information from criminal justice graduate programs in South Carolina.
Studying criminal justice at this level means being committed to the future growth and change of this industry. Experts in South Carolina law enforcement note that video recording technology has completely changed the face of criminal justice throughout the state, both in keeping professionals accountable for their actions and in solving crimes (Greenville Online, 2015).
If you are particularly interested in one aspect of criminal justice, your education may put you in a position to become a leader in that specialty. Those who supervise and train police for the South Carolina Police Department must understand the importance of communication and policing, the value of strong community ties, and accountability in the profession (ABC 4, 2015).
Future job growth in this field is expected to remain stable. By 2022, O*Net hopes to see a 4% increase in correctional supervision jobs and a 6% boost in police supervision jobs (2015). The average salary for a correctional supervisor in South Carolina is $52,100 per year and police supervisors report a median income of $49,900 (O*Net, 2015).
What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in South Carolina?
To further your education in criminal justice, you must meet certain qualifications for a master's degree in criminal justice in South Carolina. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university is required and most schools require an overall GPA of 3.0.
You'll also find that many programs expect you to take the GRE before applying and have your scores sent to each school that you are interested in.
In general, graduate education in South Carolina is fairly affordable. Average tuition rates range from $500 per credit hour to $1100 per credit hour. If you obtain residence status, your tuition may be lower. There are also financial aid opportunities, such as the scholarship awarded by the South Carolina Correctional Association.
Exploring course requirements in different schools can help you get a feel for the expectations of each program.
It's clear that these courses each serve to further your education in different ways. The importance of technology in today's criminal justice industry cannot be ignored, but it must also be combined with a comprehensive understanding of crime, its origins, and prevention.
Depending on the school you choose to attend, you may be able to choose between a thesis and a non-thesis graduate program. In a thesis program, you write a comprehensive thesis on an area of study approved of by your advisor. In a non-thesis program, you may instead complete a project or take an exam at the end of your curriculum.
As this industry expands, the need for experienced leaders may become even more prominent. Contact local schools to find out how you can earn a Master of Science in criminal justice.