Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina

April 29, 2008

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 South Carolina.

Nicknamed as the "Palmetto State" due to its state tree, South Carolina is covered with beaches, 11 lakes and is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. South Carolina experiences hot and humid summers and mild winters. While it rains year-round, it is prone to tropical cyclones around coastal cities, especially during hurricane season, according to the state’s website. More than 4.4 million people reside in South Carolina, the majority of them located in the biggest cities: Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston and Rock Hill. The population is projected to increase by 18 percent within the next 15 years, about the same as the national average, according to a statewide report administered by the Public Policy of Higher Education. The report also says that a low number of residents do not possess a bachelor’s degree, thus directly weakening the state’s economic profile. As of August 2010, South Carolina had an unemployment rate of 11 percent, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report did say, however, that South Carolina ranked decently in overall school performance. More students enter the state to attend college than those who leave. Only 11 percent of freshmen attend an out-of-state college annually, the report states. According to the most recent statistics available, in 2008 about 34 percent of students were enrolled in a community college, and 41 percent in a public four-year college or university.

The crime rate in South Carolina is about 26 percent higher than the national average rate, according to the most recent statistics available from the National Institute of Corrections. Property crimes such as home burglaries and auto thefts accounted for most of all crimes in South Carolina in 2008. The remaining 19.9 percent accounted for violent crimes such as rape, murder, assault and aggravated assault. According to the Institution, violent crimes committed in South Carolina are about 38 percent higher than other states. This could be the reasoning behind CQ Press ranking South Carolina as the 4th most dangerous state in 2010. Among the most crime-ridden cities are Florence, Charleston, Sumter and Columbia; among the safest are Lexington, Clemson and Greer. The 48 jail facilities located within South Carolina’s 46 counties have combined inmate capacity of 9,973. The Department of Corrections, along with its staff of more than 5,000 employees, operate and manage all jail facilities, including the 29 different prison facilities and 22,464 inmates.

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 SC

Kaplan University Capella University University of Phoenix

Charleston Criminal Justice Campus Programs

Strayer University Campus

Columbia Criminal Justice Campus Programs

University of Phoenix ITT-Tech Campus Strayer University Campus

Greenville Criminal Justice Campus Programs

ITT-Tech Campus Strayer University Campus

Interested in a criminal justice career in South Carolina? Take a look at some of the best crime-fighting jobs in the state.

Data Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes

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