Criminal Justice Colleges in Arkansas
There are a wide variety of programs available through universities offering criminal justice degrees. Below you will find a listing of schools by city as well as online criminal justice colleges that offer classes throughout Arkansas.
Arkansas is one the smallest states west of the Mississippi River. Home to a portion of the Ozark Mountain Range and more than 51 state parks, it is commonly referred to as the "Natural State." Though Arkansas is known to experience all four seasons, the weather is mild and typically pleasant all year round, the state’s website assures. More than 2.8 million people reside in Arkansas, the majority of them located in the three biggest cities: Little Rock, Fortsmith and Fayetteville. The population is projected to increase by 14 percent within the next 15 years, much lower than the national average, according to a statewide report administered by the Public Policy of Higher Education. Currently, Arkansas has an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent, with 101,000 residents unable to find steady work, according to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Though a majority of the unemployed do not possess college degrees, the U.S. Public Policy of Higher Education ranked Arkansas 32 for overall schooling performance. According to the most recent statistics available, in 2008, about 37 percent of students were enrolled in community colleges and 53 percent in public four-year college or universities.
The crime rate in Arkansas is about 15 percent higher than the national average, according to the most recent statistics available from the National Institute of Corrections. In 2008, property crimes, i.e. burglary and vehicle thefts, reportedly accounted for more than 85 percent of all crimes in Arkansas, which according to the Institution is 16 percent higher than the national rate in this category. The remaining 13.7 percent accounted for violent crimes, such as rape, murder and assault. Among the most crime-riddled cities were Pine Bluff, West Memphis and Little Rock. There are a total of 82 jail facilities within the State of Arkansas. These jail facilities have a combined holding capacity of 8,616 inmates and are overseen by the Sheriff’s Office. There are more than 15 State prison facilities, of which has a combined holding capacity of 14,716 inmates. A staff of more than 3,500 is employed by the Department of Correction to oversee the units and operations.
Whether you’re interested in a degree in corrections, criminology, or any other bachelor’s or master’s justice degree, the search for finding the right criminal justice academy for you begins with requesting a free information packet from schools in your area by following the links below.
Online Colleges Offering Classes in AR
Kaplan University Capella University University of Phoenix
Little Rock Criminal Justice Campus Programs
ITT-Tech Campus University of Phoenix
Rogers Criminal Justice Campus Programs
Interested in a criminal justice career in Arkansas? Take a look at some of the best crime-fighting jobs in the state.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
National Employment: 13,140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $42.13
National Mean Annual Wage: $87,620
Arkansas Employment: 190
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $18.96
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $27.69
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
National Employment: 8,110
National Mean Hourly Wage: $30.41
National Mean Annual Wage: $63,250
Arkansas Employment: 40
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $19.23
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $23.12
Bailiffs
National Employment: 17,140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $19.35
National Mean Annual Wage: $40,240
Arkansas Employment: 100
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $14.96
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $31,110
Correctional Officers and Jailers
National Employment: 455,350
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.49
National Mean Annual Wage: $42,610
Arkansas Employment: 4,660
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $14.83
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $30,850
Court Reporters
National Employment: 3,172,420
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.07
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,740
Arkansas Employment: 100
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $15.69
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $32,640
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
National Employment: 110,380
National Mean Hourly Wage: $31.66
National Mean Annual Wage: $65,860
Arkansas Employment: 470
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $24.71
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $51,400
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Correctional Officers
National Employment: 45,540
National Mean Hourly Wage: $28.76
National Mean Annual Wage: $59,810
Arkansas Employment: 130
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $23.39
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $48,640
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives
National Employment: 99,900
National Mean Hourly Wage: $37.78
National Mean Annual Wage: $78,580
Arkansas Employment: 610
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $24.93
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $51,860
Fish and Game Wardens
National Employment: 7,530
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.42
National Mean Annual Wage: $54,950
Arkansas Employment: 170
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $18.10
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $37,640
Judges, Magistrates Judges, and Magistrates
National Employment: 26,350
National Mean Hourly Wage: $49.99
National Mean Annual Wage: $103,990
Arkansas Employment: 160
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $25.73
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $53,520
Law Clerks
National Employment: 32,630
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.17
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,960
Arkansas Employment: 300
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $12.46
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $25,920
Lawyers
National Employment: 556,790
National Mean Hourly Wage: $62.03
National Mean Annual Wage: $129,020
Arkansas Employment: 2,440
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $48.37
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $100,620
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
National Employment: 246,810
National Mean Hourly Wage: $24.08
National Mean Annual Wage: $50,080
Arkansas Employment: 1,470
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $17.85
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $37,130
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
National Employment: 641,590
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.53
National Mean Annual Wage: $55,180
Arkansas Employment: 5,360
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $17.33
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $36,050
Private Detectives and Investigators
National Employment: 31,250
National Mean Hourly Wage: $22.66
National Mean Annual Wage: $47,130
Arkansas Employment: 50
Arkansas Hourly Mean Wage: $26.4
Arkansas Annual Mean Wage: $54,910
Data Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes
