Virginia's Criminal Justice pathway prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, court services, homeland security, and legal services. This comprehensive program provides foundational knowledge in criminal justice systems, constitutional law, law enforcement procedures, and public safety operations. Virginia's position as home to federal law enforcement agencies, military installations, and extensive state and local justice systems creates diverse career opportunities for criminal justice professionals.
The pathway covers criminal law and procedures, constitutional rights, law enforcement operations, corrections systems, court processes, investigation techniques, and homeland security. Students develop critical thinking for legal analysis, ethical decision-making abilities, and communication skills essential for public safety work. The curriculum includes hands-on experiences such as crime scene investigation, mock trials, emergency response training, and tours of justice facilities providing authentic understanding of criminal justice careers.
Virginia's Criminal Justice pathway benefits from proximity to federal law enforcement training facilities, FBI Academy, and numerous justice agencies providing unique educational opportunities. Strong partnerships with Virginia State Police, local law enforcement, court systems, and corrections facilities provide work-based learning experiences. Graduates are prepared for entry-level security and corrections positions, continuation to criminal justice degree programs, or law enforcement academy training upon meeting age requirements.
Criminal Justice at a Glance
4
Courses
6
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Criminal Justice standards align with national criminal justice education frameworks and emphasize constitutional law, criminal justice systems, law enforcement operations, corrections procedures, court systems, investigation techniques, homeland security, and professional ethics. Standards prepare students for entry-level public safety careers and postsecondary criminal justice education while emphasizing integrity, constitutional policing, and community service values.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice I: Foundations and Law | 8422 |
| Criminal Justice II: Law Enforcement Operations | 8423 |
| Criminal Justice III: Corrections and Courts | 8424 |
| Criminal Justice IV: Advanced Topics and Practicum | 8425 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓NOCTI Criminal Justice
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓STOP THE BLEED
- ✓First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Police Officer
Entry LevelSalary range: $58,100 - $77,550
Correctional Officer
Entry LevelSalary range: $57,320 - $81,210
Security Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $133,680 - $190,540
Emergency Management Specialist
ExperiencedSalary range: $59,690 - $121,290
Probation Officer
ExperiencedSalary range: $47,580 - $64,110
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in ride-alongs with Virginia law enforcement, tours of state and federal corrections facilities and courts, and internships with security companies and emergency management agencies. Work-based learning includes job shadowing criminal justice professionals, mock trial competitions, community policing projects, and volunteer work with victim advocacy organizations. Virginia's proximity to federal agencies provides unique opportunities for exposure to national security and federal law enforcement careers.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticEmployability Skills
Employability skills, also called soft skills, workplace readiness skills, or 21st-century skills, are the non-technical competencies that employers consistently identify as essential for workplace success. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, professionalism, and adaptability, which CTE programs are expected to develop alongside technical skills.
WorkforceReady to Build Criminal Justice Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Criminal Justice in Virginia.