Online Criminal Justice Degrees in North Dakota

North Dakota is one of the best places to work as a police officer, according to WalletHub, which did an extensive survey of the best places to work in law enforcement. The study considered 25 indicators of police friendliness, including salary, cost of living, opportunity, quality of life, and job hazards.

The BLS projects that law enforcement positions will grow 5% in the coming years.

North Dakota was number one overall and ranked especially high in quality of life. North Dakota is simply a nice place to live, with attractive towns, up-and-coming cities, and affordable housing. It is also a place that holds law enforcement officers in high regard, and it ranks high among states in which to raise a family. The state saw some of the highest median income growth in the past couple of years.

North Dakota is a great state for graduates of online criminal justice programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the positive outlook for law enforcement jobs should continue. The BLS projects that law enforcement positions will grow 5% in the coming years. The state is home to many criminal justice programs, both on campus and online, which makes entering this exciting field easier than ever.

Earning an Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Dakota

Many students appreciate the convenience of online criminal justice degrees in North Dakota. Many distance learners are able to maintain work and family obligations while completing online programs. The majority of online programs are taught asynchronously, allowing distance learners to log on at times that fit their schedules. Some asynchronous programs can be completed in less time than their on-campus counterparts.

Other advantages of the web-based format include cost savings. Online students do their work from home and don’t pay for room and board. Some colleges offer a lower tuition for their online programs and allow non-resident, online students to pay in-state tuition. Digital education also gives students access to the best universities in the state without having to relocate.

Accredited Criminal Justice Programs in North Dakota

When searching for the right online criminal justice degree in North Dakota, it is vital to check the accreditation of the programs that interest you. To receive financial aid, you must attend an accredited university. Many employers will not recognize degrees unless they are accredited. The North Dakota Highway Patrol specifies that its troopers must hold a degree from a college or university that is regionally accredited by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

The Higher Learning Commission is the regional accreditor for North Dakota.

Most of the best colleges and universities carry accreditation by one of the six regional accrediting agencies. The Higher Learning Commission is the regional accreditor for North Dakota. Some schools hold accreditation from national agencies, but these tend to be vocational and technical programs. The ED oversees all of these agencies, ensuring that they hold schools to the highest standards. The ED also maintains a database that makes checking a program’s accreditation simple.

Education and Training Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in North Dakota

To earn a North Dakota state trooper badge, applicants must hold at least an associate degree. The same holds true for those interested in becoming a game warden. North Dakota does not require college degrees of all law enforcement officers in the state. Patrol officer, sheriff’s deputy, corrections officer, and security guard positions only require a high school diploma or a GED. The state puts its future officers through its own certification process, so as long as they can meet eligibility requirements and physical fitness standards, they can serve and protect.

Administrative positions typically require a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Professionals in the Criminal Investigation Bureau and detectives across the state benefit from advanced degrees. Many criminal justice positions require at least a bachelor’s degree.

Licensing, Registration, and Certification Requirements in North Dakota

An online criminal justice degree in North Dakota prepares graduates for many careers. In addition to the law enforcement jobs everyone thinks of, like police officer and sheriff’s deputy, graduates might find work as security guards, game wardens, arson investigators, transportation security officers, corrections officers, and park rangers.

North Dakota’s Peace Officer Standards of Training or POST certification covers all law enforcement positions at public agencies in the state.

North Dakota’s Peace Officer Standards of Training or POST certification covers all law enforcement positions at public agencies in the state. Traditionally, state’s grant licenses and professional organizations issue certifications, but in North Dakota the state issues certification to qualified candidates. POST applicants must be U.S. citizens over the age of 21, hold a high school diploma or GED, possess a driver’s license, and pass a psychological exam and all background checks. Candidates who meet these standards can begin basic training and earn certification. Individuals who hold law enforcement certification from other states can often waive many parts of basic training in North Dakota. Licenses cover three-year periods, and officers must undergo 60 hours of training to maintain them.

Each public agency sets its own standards. State troopers and game wardens must meet educational requirements that go beyond the standard POST requirements. This is also the case to serve in many administrative positions. Some local departments issue their own qualifications as well.

Standards differ slightly for grads who desire working for a private agency. Security guards private investigators must pass qualifying exams to carry a firearm. Private investigators must also meet standards similar to POST qualifications, such as holding a high school diploma and passing background and mental health checks.

Career and Salary Expectations

According to the BLS, North Dakota’s law enforcement officers currently make a mean salary of $56,420, which puts them among the best paid in the nation when factored against cost of living.

Protective services is a wide-ranging field. Corrections officers, court bailiffs, security guards, transportation safety screeners, game wardens, and fire investigators all fall under the heading. Because of the diverse nature of these occupations, salaries vary widely by region and position. The mean overall hourly wage for protective services in North Dakota is $20.83, which adds up to a salary of $46,820 per year. But the range in the field is varies. Police officer’s salaries rise and fall depending upon the agency and the level of responsibility. Officers in urban areas like Fargo make far more than officers in rural areas. Detectives take home larger checks than beat cops or patrol officers.

An online criminal justice degree in North Dakota provides preparation for many careers. Security guards in North Dakota earn a mean salary of $35,390 per year. You could also work for North Dakota’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and earn one of the highest protective services salaries in the state, at $84,970, or earn $60,100 a year as a conservation law officer. With a North Dakota online criminal justice degree, graduates are also prepared for positions as paralegals.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships and grants provide a way to offset the cost of higher education. Aspiring law enforcement officers with an interest in earning a criminal justice degree online in North Dakota will find several organizations that offer scholarships for students in related programs and residents.

Resources for Criminal Justice Students in North Dakota

Law Enforcement Agencies in North Dakota

• North Dakota Department of Corrections
• North Dakota Highway Patrol
• North Dakota Response
• North Dakota Game and Fish Department Enforcement Division
• North Dakota Fire Marshal

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations bring members together for networking, mentoring, and information sharing. Recent criminal justice graduates will find that these associations present them with opportunities to connect with their peers. Professional organizations also offer the opportunity to stay current on the latest research and techniques, discover professional development and training opportunities, access publications, and browse job boards.

Find Criminal Justice Jobs in North Dakota

• North Dakota Peace Officer Association Career Opportunities
• City of Fargo Police Jobs
• North Dakota Game and Fish Department Jobs

Which Schools Offer Criminal Justice Degrees in North Dakota?