Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Idaho

Criminal justice is a broad field with a number of different branches. The court system, corrections, and legal and protective services all work in concert to uphold law and order for a given jurisdiction. Earning a criminal justice degree online in Idaho can prepare graduates for careers that serve their communities, including as state troopers, lawyers, or forensic scientists. Several criminal justice degrees in Idaho are available on campus and online at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Earning a criminal justice degree online in Idaho can prepare graduates for careers that serve their communities, including as state troopers, lawyers, or forensic scientists.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that criminal justice jobs will grow at an average to above-average rate over the next decade, depending on the career. Given the strength of the economy in Idaho, growth across most industries — including criminal justice — is expected to continue. Idaho’s economy currently averages a low unemployment rate of 2.9%, while its labor force participation holds steady at 64%, approximately 1.2% higher than the U.S. average.

Earning an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Idaho

Online criminal justice degrees in Idaho offer a wide selection of programs, and provide students with an affordable, flexible, and convenient education. There are 15 degree-granting institutions in Idaho — seven public colleges or universities, and four private nonprofit schools — and a number of them feature online criminal justice degree programs. This lets students in Idaho and around the world complete coursework from the comfort of their own homes, while also accommodating work, life, and family obligations.

Another benefit of online learning is the convenience. Students can work from home and forego long commute times and never miss a class. Many programs make their courses asynchronous, letting students log in anytime and anywhere it suits them. An Idaho online criminal justice degree also eliminates certain traditional costs associated with going to college, such as transportation, campus housing, and textbooks. In fact, more and more students are earning their degrees from a distance: the National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2014, over 5.75 million college students had enrolled in at least one distance course, while 14% of all college students were taking online courses exclusively.

Accredited Criminal Justice Programs in Idaho

A school’s accreditation status should be a key consideration for any college-bound student. Not only does accreditation demonstrate an institution’s quality, but it also impacts transfer credit and a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. To receive federal aid, schools must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). While the ED recognizes all regional accrediting agencies, it does not recognize every national accreditor. Moreover, many schools only accept credit for courses taken at an accredited institution.

NWCCU, or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, is the regional accreditor for Idaho.

Accreditation is a voluntary evaluation process requested by a school. There are three types of accreditation: regional, national, and specialized. Regional and national accreditation are granted to an institution, while specialized accreditation is granted to specific programs and departments, such as a business school. Nonprofit, degree-granting institutions mainly hold regional accreditation, the older of the two types of institutional accreditation. There are six recognized regional accrediting agencies in the U.S. NWCCU, or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, is the regional accreditor for Idaho. National accreditors, meanwhile, review a wider selection of schools, including for-profit and single-purpose schools, such as career or technical colleges. To help students check accreditation status, the ED maintains a database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.

Education and Training Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in Idaho

Depending on the criminal justice profession one wishes to pursue, educational requirements and training vary. With a high school diploma or equivalent, one can begin a career in security or as a bailiff. More doors open as an individual pursues postsecondary education. To join the Boise Police Department, for example, applicants must have completed at least 60 semester credits from a regionally accredited college/university, or have a minimum 30 credits plus prior military service. Paralegals must have at least an associate degree to qualify.

Various other criminal justice jobs — like correctional treatment specialists, lawyers, and crime scene investigators — require more education. Criminal justice degrees in Idaho are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels, giving prospective students ample preparation for whichever careers they choose.

Depending on the criminal justice profession one wishes to pursue, educational requirements and training vary.

For many jobs in this field, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum. Forensic science technicians typically hold a bachelor’s degree and must complete extensive on-the-job training to work crime scene investigations. Fish and game wardens also typically hold a four-year degree upon entering the field.

A master’s in criminal justice, on the other hand, opens more doors to leadership, supervisory, or specialty roles, such as a criminologist, a correctional officer supervisor, or a profiler. Lawyers and judges must hold law degrees after passing the bar exam, while professors of criminal justice must obtain a doctorate degree — though a master’s may allow one to teach at a community college.

Certain criminal justice jobs in Idaho require specialized training. Police officers, for example, must graduate from a police academy; emergency dispatchers can enter the workforce with a high school diploma, but must meet state training requirements; and a probation or correctional treatment specialist must complete state-sponsored training and pass a certification test to prove their competency.

Licensing, Registration, and Certification Requirements in Idaho

Many criminal justice jobs require that employees hold relevant licensure for the state in which they work. Security guards in Idaho, for example, must register with the state in order to work. Meanwhile, Idaho is one of only five states that do not require private detectives and investigators to obtain a license at the state level. Idaho PIs, however, can apply for certification as certified private investigators.

A license is required, and grants the holder the legal authority to practice a profession within a designated scope. A certification, on the other hand, is typically not a job requirement.

Licensure requirements for criminal justice jobs in Idaho vary according to the field. To practice law in Idaho, an attorney must pass the bar exam and obtain a license. A correctional treatment specialist is not licensed, but must pass a state certification test to demonstrate competency. Meanwhile, a crime scene technician is not required to obtain a license or certificate, though many still do for credential or professional development purposes.

While the terms “licensure” and “certification” are often used interchangeably, the two credentials are different. A license is required, and grants the holder the legal authority to practice a profession within a designated scope. A certification, on the other hand, is typically not a job requirement. Certification is a voluntary credential and proof that an individual is qualified and/or has achieved a level of proficiency. A crime scene investigator (CSI), for example, may be certificatied in digital forensics or toxicology.

Another notable difference between licensure and certification is transferability: certifications are transferable to other states, while licenses, for the most part, are not. For example, a lawyer who moves to a new state will need to take the bar exam for that state to practice law. The exception is the Uniform Bar Examination, which is recognized by 28 states, including the state of Idaho.

Career and Salary Expectations

Salaries for criminal justice careers in Idaho can vary by position, experience, and/or locale. Individuals in protective service occupations, for example, can earn a mean hourly wage of $20.42 and a mean annual wage of $42,470. While this sits just behind the national average for the same occupation, Idaho also features a lower cost of living to offset these wages.

Now is a terrific time to consider a career in criminal justice in Idaho, as the field is poised to grow. The BLS projects average to above-average growth for criminal justice jobs by 2026. Jobs for police and detectives are projected to grow by 7%, attorneys by 8%, and probation officers by 6%. Other occupations are projected to grow much faster than average, however, including CSIs (17%), paralegals (15%), and postsecondary teachers (15%).

What’s more, Idaho was one of eight cities in 2017 to receive a $1 million grant for criminal justice reform. Designated for Ada County (which includes the capital of Boise), the grant aims to reduce Idaho’s jail population and fund the creation of new jobs, including inmate case managers and court clerks. As the table below demonstrates, the annual wage for many of Idaho’s criminal justice jobs shows that salary potential is strong, especially for occupations that require a four-year or advanced degree.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

While loans are often a source of funding for many degree-seekers, students should thoroughly research scholarships, grants, or fellowships for which they might qualify. As a first step, be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal loans, grants, and work-study awards. Many scholarships are created for a particular group of students. For example, students enrolling in an online criminal justice degree in Idaho should research awards created for law enforcement, social justice, and legal careers, as well as any limited to residents of Idaho. It is recommended students begin their scholarship search in the spring, as scholarship season traditionally kicks off February 1.

Resources for Criminal Justice Students in Idaho

Law Enforcement Agencies in Idaho

• Idaho Department of Correction
• Idaho State Police
• Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections
• Idaho POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training)
• Idaho Fish & Game
• Idaho Public Defense Commission
• Idaho Office of Emergency Management
• Idaho Supreme Court
• Idaho State Bar

Professional Organizations

Joining a professional organization can be a significant boost to one’s career, especially for those just starting out in an industry like criminal justice. Professional organizations aid in both professional and personal growth, offering programs and workshops for longtime members, career services for recent graduates, and scholarships for students. For all members, networking opportunities abound at annual conferences and chapter meetings. What’s more, including a professional organization on a resume tells employers that an applicant is serious about their career and contributions to the field.

Find Criminal Justice Jobs in Idaho

• State of Idaho
• Idaho POST
• Idaho Statesman
• Indeed
• Glassdoor

Which Schools Offer Criminal Justice Degrees in Idaho?