Criminal Justice Schools in Iowa

ASO Staff Writers
by
Updated May 10, 2023
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Top Programs and Criminal Justice Degrees for Iowa Students

A degree in criminal justice can provide career opportunities in federal, state and local government or the private sector. For students looking to gain a better understanding of criminology, criminal justice schools in Iowa equip students with the necessary skills for careers in corrections, homeland security, law and wildlife enforcement services. Iowa is even home to the nation’s oldest law school west of the Mississippi River. Learn more about the educational and training opportunities offered at criminal justice schools in Iowa, as well as the types of training and degree level required to work in the criminal justice field across the state.

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DEGREE LEADERS: IOWA’S BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCHOOLS

In comparing the top criminal justice schools in Iowa side-by-side, students are able to see examples of what they want to look for in a program. This list takes the guesswork out of tedious research; using the most important factors to students – such as tuition cost, student-teacher ratios and number of criminal justice programs -Iowa’s criminal justice schools are ranked from top to bottom. Find more about each program and the factors that help dictate each school’s score below.

1
Saint Ambrose University
LocationDavenport, IA

Through the criminal justice program at Saint Ambrose University, students will learn to be, ñadaptable, flexible, and ready.î The program prepares students for careers at the local, state, and federal level in the criminal justice field. Saint Ambrose also offers a master's degree in criminal justice in the traditional classroom setting, and online for students who are looking for a more flexible schedule. Writing tutorials and subject specific tutoring is available to students through the Student Success Center. The counseling center at the university provides individual and group counseling to ensure mental health for students and faculty alike.

2
Upper Iowa University
LocationFayette, IA

Students pursuing a criminal justice degree at Upper Iowa University can choose between obtaining an associate of arts degree after roughly two years (or 60 credits), or continuing on for a full bachelor of arts degree. Upper Iowa University offers classes online or face-to-face and multiple locations to choose from, including the Fayette campus, off-site education centers, online programs or self-paced programs. The criminal justice programs at Upper Iowa prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, court systems and justice administration. Careers in criminal justice are expected to grow an average of 11 percent by 2022 according to the Department of Labor.

3
Simpson College
LocationIndianola, IA

The criminal justice program at Simpson College routinely returns high-scoring students on the Educational Testing Service's Major Field Test. The undergraduate criminal justice program at Simpson requires students to complete approximately 44 credits, which is ten courses plus the Standards of Professional Behavior capstone. Students can also choose to get a graduate degree in criminal justice at Simpson, which accommodates those who are already working in the field. Courses are typically eight weeks long and combine in person meetings once a week with an online learning system. On average, graduate programs can be completed in two years.

4
University of Dubuque
LocationDubuque, IA

A Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice at the University of Dubuque will expose students to the primary components of the criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. The program enables students to apply for jobs in policing, corrections, courts and other related disciplines. Or students can continue their education toward a graduate degree in criminal justice, sociology and social work. The University also offers a number of clubs, organizations and student activities designed to further learning: the Justice Force (hands-on police related activities), the Justice League and the Spartan Nation Liberation Foundation (raise awareness about and prevent human trafficking).

5
Iowa Wesleyan University
LocationMount Pleasant, IA

Students pursuing a criminal justice degree at Iowa Wesleyan University can expect a combination of coursework focusing on three basic components: the police, course and corrections, plus hands-on learning through internships. Total credits required for the undergraduate program are 36, while another 18 credits are required for support courses and/or for students who wish to pursue a minor instead. Most classes take place during day hours, however there are evening classes at area community colleges and a growing online program. Iowa Wesleyan is located in Mt. Pleasant and was formed in 1842. Students enjoy smaller class sizes and various arts and culture opportunities.

6
University of Iowa
LocationIowa City, IA
7
Graceland University-Lamoni
LocationLamoni, IA
8
Loras College
LocationDubuque, IA
9
Grand View University
LocationDes Moines, IA
10
Buena Vista University
LocationStorm Lake, IA
1
Saint Ambrose University
LocationDavenport, IA

Through the criminal justice program at Saint Ambrose University, students will learn to be, ñadaptable, flexible, and ready.î The program prepares students for careers at the local, state, and federal level in the criminal justice field. Saint Ambrose also offers a master's degree in criminal justice in the traditional classroom setting, and online for students who are looking for a more flexible schedule. Writing tutorials and subject specific tutoring is available to students through the Student Success Center. The counseling center at the university provides individual and group counseling to ensure mental health for students and faculty alike.

2
Upper Iowa University
LocationFayette, IA

Students pursuing a criminal justice degree at Upper Iowa University can choose between obtaining an associate of arts degree after roughly two years (or 60 credits), or continuing on for a full bachelor of arts degree. Upper Iowa University offers classes online or face-to-face and multiple locations to choose from, including the Fayette campus, off-site education centers, online programs or self-paced programs. The criminal justice programs at Upper Iowa prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, court systems and justice administration. Careers in criminal justice are expected to grow an average of 11 percent by 2022 according to the Department of Labor.

3
Simpson College
LocationIndianola, IA

The criminal justice program at Simpson College routinely returns high-scoring students on the Educational Testing Service's Major Field Test. The undergraduate criminal justice program at Simpson requires students to complete approximately 44 credits, which is ten courses plus the Standards of Professional Behavior capstone. Students can also choose to get a graduate degree in criminal justice at Simpson, which accommodates those who are already working in the field. Courses are typically eight weeks long and combine in person meetings once a week with an online learning system. On average, graduate programs can be completed in two years.

4
University of Dubuque
LocationDubuque, IA

A Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice at the University of Dubuque will expose students to the primary components of the criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. The program enables students to apply for jobs in policing, corrections, courts and other related disciplines. Or students can continue their education toward a graduate degree in criminal justice, sociology and social work. The University also offers a number of clubs, organizations and student activities designed to further learning: the Justice Force (hands-on police related activities), the Justice League and the Spartan Nation Liberation Foundation (raise awareness about and prevent human trafficking).

5
Iowa Wesleyan University
LocationMount Pleasant, IA

Students pursuing a criminal justice degree at Iowa Wesleyan University can expect a combination of coursework focusing on three basic components: the police, course and corrections, plus hands-on learning through internships. Total credits required for the undergraduate program are 36, while another 18 credits are required for support courses and/or for students who wish to pursue a minor instead. Most classes take place during day hours, however there are evening classes at area community colleges and a growing online program. Iowa Wesleyan is located in Mt. Pleasant and was formed in 1842. Students enjoy smaller class sizes and various arts and culture opportunities.

6
University of Iowa
LocationIowa City, IA
7
Graceland University-Lamoni
LocationLamoni, IA
8
Loras College
LocationDubuque, IA
9
Grand View University
LocationDes Moines, IA
10
Buena Vista University
LocationStorm Lake, IA

IOWA’S MOST POPULAR CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS

There are a range of employment opportunities and career paths students interested in attending criminal justice school in Iowa can pursue. Take a look at some of the most common careers criminal justice students pursue in the state in the list below. For more details on the type of degree each career requires, click on the corner of each box. Students will also find more details about the number of employees found in each profession and their average salary in the state of Iowa. This may be a helpful gauge for students who are still deciding exactly what to focus their studies on while in criminal justice school.

SIDE BY SIDE: CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN IOWA VERSUS NATIONAL NUMBERS

As a state that boasted one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation in 2015, students attending criminal justice school in Iowa can see positive career potential as they prepare to enter the workforce. Take a look at the graphs below, which pinpoint the careers in criminal justice in Iowa that boast competitive annual salaries in comparison to the national average, as well as higher than average or on-par job growth projections. These charts also detail the degree requirements to work in Iowa to give criminal justice students a distinct study path.

Salary

JobNationalIowa
Fraud Examiner57,10064,300
Private Detective, Investigator44,93052,840
Forensic Science Technician60,09064,910
Arbitrator, Mediator, Conciliator65,02069,060
Detective, Criminal Investigator77,04079,620
Transportation Security Screener37,81040,050
Criminal Justice Professor63,53064,460
Security Guard28,46031,730

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

Job Growth

JobNationalIowa
Police, Sherrif, Patrol Officer0.050.066
Correctional Officer0.0370.042
Paralegal0.0760.101
Detective, Criminal Investigator-0.0120.009
Private Detective, Investigator0.0520.08
Court Clerk0.0450.046
Probation Officer0.0360.05
Criminal Justice Professor0.2120.213

Source: Projections Central, 2015

TOP CRIMINAL JUSTICE EMPLOYMENT AREAS IN IOWA

With such diverse career options available for criminal justice program graduates, it may help interested students to see what parts of the state of Iowa are most in need of protective service or legal employees. The chart below outlines which cities and regions of Iowa criminal justice professionals work in and how their wages vary by their employment location.

LARGEST AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT IN DESCENDING ORDER

Protective service

Council Bluffs Metro Area

Des Moines

Southeast Iowa Non-Metro Area

Cedar Rapids

Northwest Iowa Non-Metro

Legal service

Council Bluffs Metro Area

Des Moines

Cedar Rapids

Southeast Iowa Non-Metro Area

Northwest Iowa Non-Metro

IOWA RESOURCES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS

BUSINESS COMPLIANCE RESOURCES

CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES

COURT & JUDICIAL RESOURCES

LEGAL RESOURCES

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

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