Law & Justice Degrees in Texas

Guide to Texas Law and Justice Degree Programs

Texas is known for doing everything bigger. It is the largest state in the contiguous forty eight states. It is second highest in population behind California. It also is home to dozens of top flight universities and colleges located all over the state. Many of these public and private institutions offer degrees in law and justice. A potential student can study for anything from an associate all the way up to a doctorate in law. Due to the state’s diversity of community size and population density, a person can find an ideal place to study without too much trouble.

If Texas were still an independent country, its economy would rank with that of India or Canada. It is the second largest in the country. The economy’s strength comes from many factors. It is diverse with many strong sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, technology and commerce. The state also has abundant natural resources and a low wage work force. This makes it attractive to many Fortune 500 companies. For the people living in the state, they can see natural beauty next to urban sprawl. The largest urban areas are concentrated on Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. However, the state also boasts other smaller cities that are growing. What can the Lone Star State do for your degree dreams?

Texas Law and Justice Job Outlook and Salary

Due to its enormous size and population, the state of Texas offers a huge variety of careers in the field of law and justice. It is near impossible to give a comprehensive overview of every one of them. To give an example of the state’s strengths, let’s use police officers as an example. For someone fresh into the force, starting salaries are generally from $29,000 to $32,000 per year. After a few years, an officer can expect to make around $46,000. This runs slightly below the national median. Wages in smaller towns and rural communities will run less than in urban areas.

The state’s demand for law enforcement officers is expected to grow 20% in the next decade according to the Texas Workforce Commission. This is almost twice the expected national average of 11%. Urban area growth shows a concentration of opportunities near the bigger cities. But the smaller cities and towns are seeing growth as well. As the state’s population continues to grow, the state will require more officers as well.