Criminal Justice Career Introduction

Degrees in Criminal Justice will prepare students for entry-level employment opportunities in the many sub fields of criminal justice to uphold justice and law within communities. These include law enforcement, corrections, probation, security services, homeland security, forensics etc in both public and private sectors. The degree programs are designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the United States criminal justice system and as well as impart knowledge on social and behavioral sciences that are essential for the future undertaking of criminal justice careers. Some example of starting positions include forensic scientist, law secretary, private detective, social counselor, federal agent, uniformed patrol, probation, parole and corrections officer etc. If the protection of people and upholding their rights is your calling, a criminal justice degree can equip you with the proper knowledge and training needed for this exciting career. A bachelors degree is now considered the minimum entry requirement for professional progression in this industry, and there are further upgrading training and education opportunities leading to a doctorate in criminal justice and related programs. There may be some entry-level positions that comes with on the job or in-house training, such as security officers. However, it is expected on your part to continue further and upgrade your qualifications in order to be considered for career advancement.

Although many criminal justice graduates work in the police force and federal agencies, there are also many opportunities in courts, law firms, rehabilitation etc. There are many people who have confused criminal justice with the field of criminology. Specialists of the latter are responsible for scientific investigations of crime acts while criminal justice professionals withhold justice within the community and ensure the law is used rightly.

How much money do criminal justice professionals earn?

In face of rapid globalization and the poor economy outlook, crime rates are not likely to go down and criminal justice employment opportunities are expected to be recession proof. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts an increase of more than 29% in the demand for federal agents, police and immigration officers, etc over the next few years. The starting salary for criminal justice graduates is generally above average and certain genre do offer significantly higher pays. For example, law enforcement officers such as police, sheriffs, prison correction etc starts with a median annual pay of $45,300 while social counsellors starts off with around $40,300. The difference is due to the nature of work as well as shift duty allowances. FBI agents also enjoy a special overtime allowance of 25% due to the more demanding work schedules. Career progression prospects are very good, and for example, senior police officers in managerial positions command around $90,200 per annum.

Get information on online criminal justice programs

The US government has been investing heavily on homeland security and many law and justice departments have increased academic requirements for entry level positions requiring at least an associate degree in criminal justice. Online criminal justice programs offered by many reputable schools include associate, bachelor and master degrees. As the enrollment requirements for these schools vary a lot, it is best to request for more information from the school of choice in order to make the most appropriate decision. Click here to select and request online for more information about enrollment procedures.