Criminal Justice Administration Degrees
After gaining practical experience over a number of years, some law enforcement professionals aspire to leadership roles or to another specialization in their field. Criminal justice administration degree programs provide the education needed for law enforcement, corrections and security professionals to take on leadership roles or branch into new areas. These programs include coursework that covers leadership and administration topics as well as in-depth courses in various criminal justice areas.
Law enforcement and correctional officers that want to advance their careers will typically need to earn at least a bachelor's degree. They will either move up through the ranks within their organization or they may choose to shift career paths, possibly to a specialized federal agency or a private security firm.
Degree Options
- Bachelor's Degree – Graduates of a bachelor's degree program will be prepared to take on leadership roles or specialized roles in law enforcement, corrections or private security.
- Master's Degree – Master's degree programs will help criminal justice professionals advance their career to higher levels or to change career direction.
- Doctoral Degree – Doctoral programs will prepare graduates for positions in policy-making, consulting, upper management and teaching and research at the college level.
Schools
Criminal Justice Administration degree programs are most commonly found at small universities and colleges and at a number of high-quality online schools. Campus-based schools often offer these programs either partially or fully online to make it easier for working professionals to earn their degree.
Coursework
Below are some examples of the types of courses that will be found in a criminal justice administration degree program:
- Police and Community Relations – Topics include community policing, media relations, problem-solving principles, human resource management and environmental factors.
- Criminal Justice Leadership – Examines principles and styles of leadership within law enforcement agencies. Topics include motivation, communication styles, teamwork, interpersonal skills, empowerment and mentoring.
- Race, Ethnicity and Crime – Explores the relationships between social policy, inequality, prejudices, profiling, crime and the criminal justice system.
- Criminal Law - Students study criminal law, constitutional law, laws that protect individual rights and relevant principles and procedures.
- Forensic Science Investigation – Students gain an understanding of how physical evidence is created during a crime, its reliability and how it can be used to investigate and prosecute crimes.
Aptitudes and Interests
Those who want to pursue a supervisory position in law enforcement will need to demonstrate strong job performance in their current position and have accrued a significant amount of experience. The aptitudes and skills needed for positions in the various federal security agencies are similar to those needed in local law enforcement but may need to be demonstrated at a higher level of competency.
Career Options
Potential career opportunities for those with a degree in criminal justice administration are listed below:
- Police and Detective Supervisors/ Police Chief
- Detective or Criminal Investigator
- Correctional Officer Supervisor / Warden
- Private Security Manager
- Various law enforcement and security positions within a federal agency.
Related Majors
- Public Administration - Prepares students for management positions in government and non-profit organizations.
- Criminal Justice - Broad curriculum is applicable to law enforcement, corrections, parole and probation officer careers.
- Security Management - Prepares students for careers in private security and federal government security agencies.
- Public Safety - Examines wide variety of public safety topics including terrorism, disaster response and media relations.
How To Evaluate Criminal Justice Administration Degree Programs
When choosing a criminal justice administration degree program, the following factors should be considered:
- Program Focus - Whether the focus of the program is leadership training or advanced law enforcement training should be understood before selecting a program.
- Concentrations – Some programs offer concentrations in corrections, law enforcement or security while other programs have one standard curriculum.
- Tuition Reimbursement - If a working professional's employer provides tuition reimbursement, it is important to verify the chosen program will qualify.
- Flexibility - Programs that are intended for working students often offer classes online or during evenings and on weekends, making it easier for students to complete the program.
- Accreditation - Schools must be accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies or by an agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Programs that are not properly accredited do not usually qualify for tuition reimbursement or recognition by employers.
Resources
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
National Association of Police Organizations
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
American Correctional Association
US Department of Homeland Security
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