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- School Code: 298100
- Phone: (336) 750-2000
- School Homepage
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ACCEPTANCE RATE
68.71%FINANCIAL AID RATE
88%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
17:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
38FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$6,218Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
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Criminal Justice Degree
The criminal justice degree program at Western Carolina University prepares students for instruction that focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Students who graduate from the criminal justice degree program will have knowledge in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues. Get more details below including other North Carolina colleges that offer criminal justice degrees.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Western Carolina University (WSSU)
601 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Winston-Salem, NC
Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina and provides a large number of degree programs for students. Approximately nine thousand students are enrolled per year at WCU.
Here is a list of some of the popular programs WCU offers:
- Education
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Security And Protective Services
- Business And Marketing Studies
The admissions process starts with the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions office. Either the ACT or SAT exam must be taken in order to be able to apply to WCU. Scores between 19 to 24 on the ACT or 1390 to 1660 on the SAT are needed to greatly increase the chance of getting accepted. This school has an acceptance rate of about 39 percent of which only 25 percent chose to attend. More information from the admissions office can be found at wcu.edu.
The cost of undergraduate tuition is different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state residents pay nearly $5,900 and nonresidents pay $16,000 annually. The cost of on-campus housing is about $3,700 annually. Some students at this school may be eligible for financial aid, which is generally offered as scholarships, grants, and loans.
The Western Carolina University "Catamounts" compete in a number of intercollegiate sports through participation in the NCAA. Available athletic programs offered may include but not limited to:
- Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
- Football (NCAA Division I-AA)
Students who would like to get more about Western Carolina University can take a look at their website at http://www.wcu.edu.
Students Enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Western Carolina University offers a bachelor's degree program in criminal justice.
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 69 |
Female | 50 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
American Indian | 2 |
Asian | 1 |
Black | 10 |
Hispanic | 11 |
White | 88 |
Multiple Races | 6 |
Unknown | 1 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the Criminal Justice program at Western Carolina University, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Description
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, first-line supervisors of police and detectives employment is expected to grow at a rate of 4.2% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Total Employment: 240
- Average Hourly Rate: $28.48
- Average Annual Salary: $59240
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give you an idea of the candidates Western Carolina University accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Western Carolina University may offer student services including:- Online classes
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation
- Day care for children
Intercollegiate Athletics
Western Carolina University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-FCS classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Southern Conference)
- Basketball (Southern Conference)
- Track and Field (Southern Conference)
- Football (Southern Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball