Criminal Justice Degrees
Society relies on trained professionals to protect it from unlawful behavior and to see that criminals are properly detained and monitored. A degree in criminal justice can lead to many such careers including police officer, detective, corrections officer, probation or parole officer or a career in one of the many federal law enforcement agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administration or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Job opportunities in these fields can be competitive so, although college degrees are not a requirement for all positions, they give job candidates a significant advantage over others without a degree.
Degree Options
- Associate's Degree – An associate's degree in criminal justice will prepare individuals for entry-level positions in corrections, law enforcement or private security fields.
- Bachelor's Degree – A bachelor's degree will qualify graduates for federal corrections positions and many other federal, state and local law enforcement and corrections positions.
- Master's Degree – Graduates of a master's degree program will be in a position to advance to a leadership position or become more specialized in a particular area.
- Doctoral Degree – Doctoral program graduates will be prepared to take on leadership, policy, research or teaching roles.
Schools
Associate's degree programs can be found at many community colleges and technical schools as well as at reputable online schools. Higher level degrees are available at various universities, colleges and online schools throughout the country. Criminal justice degrees are also sometimes referred to as criminology degrees.
Coursework
As sampling of the types of courses found in a criminal justice program are described below:
- Theory in Criminology – Covers theory and principles of the causes of criminal behavior and the results of prevention, punishment and corrections.
- American Corrections System – Examines the theories and administration of law enforcement and the functions and activities that are encompassed by it.
- Criminal Law – Students learn about classifications of criminal activity and law as a method of social control.
- Principles of Criminal Investigation – Topics include due process, arrest procedures, search and seizure and evaluation of evidence.
- Law Enforcement Administration – Students learn about organization and management in law enforcement including process, policy, procedures, communications, authority and controls.
- Juvenile Justice - Covers the legal and philosophical bases for juvenile justice as well as the procedures, structures and issues that pertain to juveniles.
Aptitudes and Interests
Individuals who are considering a career in criminal justice should have a strong sense of responsibility to the community, be honest, have good communications skills and make sound judgments. They must also be physically fit and be able to pass a written examination.
Career Options
There are a variety of career opportunities for those with a degree in criminal justice including the following:
Related Majors
- Law Enforcement - More focused program for those pursuing law enforcement careers.
- Police Science - Similar or the same as law enforcement degree.
- Homeland Security - Focus is on border security, disaster preparedness and counter-terrorism.
- Sociology - Broad-based program that teaches about human behavior in society. An option for parole and probation officer careers.
- Criminal Justice Administration - Focus is on leadership training for police, corrections, parole and probation careers.
How To Evaluate Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Below are some important factors to be considered when choosing a criminal justice program:
- Concentrations – Some programs allow students to specialize in areas such as corrections, law enforcement, homeland security, information technology and others.
- Career Match – For programs that don't offer concentrations, some may prepare students for only one type of criminal justice career so students need to make sure their career goals will be met by the program.
- Accreditation - Programs should be accredited by a regional accreditation agency or by one that is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Convenience - Some programs are designed for working students, offering courses during evenings and weekends or through distance-learning methods.
- Cost - The cost of a program should be evaluated after gaining an understanding of how much financial aid will be offered by each school and taking into consideration living expenses and other fees.
Resources
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
National Association of Police Organizations
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