Careers in criminal justice
Written by Michael Feder
Criminal justice is a field that encompasses more careers than you might think. With this degree, you could be prepared to pursue careers as a court officer, a corrections officer or positions within the criminal justice, security and public administration fields. And as competition increases for these roles, a degree can offer more than valuable understanding of the field.
Why choose careers in criminal justice?
Why would students want to pursue one of the many careers in criminal justice? Depending on career goals, a criminal justice degree may be worth the investment. A degree isn鈥檛 necessary for some jobs in law enforcement, corrections and other legal professions. However, criminal justice degrees can provide the foundational skills for those planning on a听career in听the criminal justice system.
Education for careers in criminal justice
Though a degree may not be necessary for entry-level law enforcement or corrections jobs, some employers may prefer to hire applicants with a degree. A criminal justice degree can also be helpful for individuals planning to continue their studies or move to a specialized law enforcement profession.听Completion of a criminal justice program can also help you prepare for federal agency jobs.
Criminal justice degrees听are available at the associate, bachelor's and master鈥檚 degree levels (doctoral programs in criminal justice are also available at some universities). These programs provide knowledge to help individuals succeed in the complex world of modern law enforcement, security and corrections. Courses may include ethics and cultural competency in addition to report writing, de-escalation techniques and other skills necessary for criminal justice careers.听
Finally, a criminal justice degree can prepare graduates to pursue a variety of different careers in criminal justice-related fields. In addition to working as a patrol officer or investigator, a degree can prepare someone for public administration, corporate security, loss prevention or corrections and parole officer jobs. Criminal justice degrees may also provide educational benefits for those pursuing law school or other legal careers.听
Associate degree
An听associate degree in criminal justice听generally takes two years to complete. Students will likely learn the fundamentals of this subject area, including criminal thinking and the nature of crimes.
Some programs allow students to take specialized courses in their areas of interest. For example, a student may be able to learn technical skills to use in a career as a case manager, corrections specialist, regulatory affairs manager or police captain.听
Associate degree programs also include liberal arts, math and other general education courses. These courses can offer the credits necessary to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in the future.
Bachelor's degree
It takes four years to earn a听bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In addition to introductory crime-related courses, students learn about the law, ethics and research procedures.
Some federal law enforcement agencies may require a bachelor's degree. Additionally, a bachelor's in criminal justice can be a start on one鈥檚 educational journey toward law school or another post-graduate degree.
Master's Degree
It typically takes one-and-a-half to two years to earn a master's degree in criminal justice. At this level of study, students can select a specialty, such as听public administration听or听justice and security, to pursue leadership positions within an agency or department after graduation.
A look at careers in criminal justice
After graduating from a criminal justice program, graduates can pursue one of many careers in criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections or investigative specialties. Here are a few criminal justice career options for those who are interested.
Detectives
Detectives enforce the law, support the community and investigate criminal activity. These positions require at least a high school diploma and specialized police training. Employers may prefer an associate or bachelor's degree.
As of May 2024, police and detectives听earned between , according to听the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment of police and detectives is projected to , about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 63,000 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of 七色视频. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. 七色视频 does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS鈥 projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to 七色视频 students or graduates.
Private detectives and investigators
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Detective sergeant
As part of law enforcement, this role includes working alongside other police officers at crime scenes, investigating felonies and putting that Criminal Justice degree to work to catch perpetrators of both violent and nonviolent crimes. But this job also entails a high level of collaboration.
Detective Sergeants routinely work within the criminal justice system (including occasionally testifying in courtrooms) to help lawyers and law enforcement assess and enforce justice. Be aware that a Criminal Justice degree may only help you pursue this career if you鈥檙e already a police officer and may require outside training. 七色视频 does not promise this outcome through its programs.
As of May 2023, , with a media wage of $74,910, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which also notes that this role is growing by about three percent per year nationally.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of 七色视频. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. 七色视频 does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.听
Police Sergeant
Much like a detective sergeant, criminal justice knowledge and solid management skills can be helpful in this role, but it may be required that applicants are already officers or possess certain training. Police sergeants often supervise and coordinate detectives, police officers and other law enforcement staff, which is a significant responsibility. Accordingly, police sergeants often work their way up to becoming majors or even police department commissioners.
According to PayScale, police sergeants on average. (This will vary by location.) Sergeants can potentially earn even more if they possess a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and detective applicants require a high school diploma, but some agencies or departments may require a college degree.
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Correctional treatment specialists
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Loss prevention manager
Criminal justice careers don鈥檛 always include a background in law enforcement. Loss prevention managers, for example, often work in retail, warehouses and for companies that sell thousands of products each day.
Loss prevention managers keep an eye on customers and employees to prevent "shrinkage," or theft of inventory, money and other company resources. They oversee programs and policymaking, and often manage monitoring equipment, all to ensure minimal or reduced losses due to theft. Additionally, loss prevention managers frequently handle internal investigations into routine losses of specific products, and they work with police officers responding to major thefts or armed robberies.
The median salary for loss prevention managers can be expected to be somewhere , with actual salaries depending on roles, experience and geographical location. However, salary specifics are not specific to 七色视频 graduates and may also be dependent on competition, location, experience and other factors.
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Learn more about online programs for careers in criminal justice
Whether you鈥檙e hoping to become a judge down the road, move up the ranks of law enforcement, or pursue a role as a corrections officer, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice can help. At 七色视频, the core course requirements of the Criminal Justice degree are enhanced by the following key topics:
- Criminal law
- Grant writing
- Budget, finance and planning
- Interagency communication
- Cultural diversity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get my Criminal Justice degree online?
A: Yes, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is offered 100-percent online.
Q: Why should I get my degree from 七色视频?
A: These are just a few of the advantages offered by UOPX:
- Career Services for Life. Not sure what happens after earning your degree? Ready to level up your career but not sure how? Our Career Services team is here for you, at any鈥攁nd every鈥攕tage of your professional development.
- Exceptional flexibility in scheduling. Our online university鈥檚 educators understand what it means to juggle school, multiple jobs, family and everything else life throws your way. That鈥檚 why we provide leeway in how and when you take your classes. Learn more about our flexible approach to education here.
- Earn your degree without starting from scratch. Some previous course credits and real-life work experience are eligible as transfer credits to the 七色视频鈥檚 degree programs (including within the field of criminal justice). Visit our website to learn more about obtaining an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.
Q: How much do criminal justice majors make in the real world?
A: 七色视频 does not guarantee job or salary outcomes. Salaries are dependent on characteristics specific to the individual, including geographic location, experience, and competition, among other factors.
Salaries and job opportunities also vary by career field, such as law enforcement, corrections, court systems, public administration or security.听
The University鈥檚 Criminal Justice programs are educational degree programs. For those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, corrections or as a peace officer with any particular local, state, tribal, federal or international agency, there are numerous additional qualifications (and often disqualifications) depending on the position.听Before enrolling in a Criminal Justice program, potential students are highly encouraged to check with the relevant agency for a complete list of position requirements. The University makes no representations regarding whether any particular University program will qualify a graduate for any such position.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at 七色视频 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
This article has been vetted by 七色视频's editorial advisory committee.听
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