 |
|
|
|
A criminal justice degree is ideal for someone who enjoys the intricacies of the law, has a strong sense of fairness and justice, and wants to work with their community to create a safer, more pleasant place to live.
What is a Criminal Justice Degree?
Criminal justice is the study of laws, regulations and punishments assigned to those who have been accused of committing a crime. It is also the study of how crime and punishment affect society at large. Criminal justice education is a starting point for police officers, advocates, detectives, legal prosecutors and defenders as well as other individuals interested in the pursuit of protective, legal or judicial services.
Criminal Justice Degree Requirements: Prerequisites
Those who are interested in a career in criminal justice should look into courses that focus on sociology, psychology, political science, public administration, history, economics, philosophy, and of course, various types of law.
Those who want to join a police department, state or local law enforcement agencies, or federal law enforcement must meet certain requirements. These include a high school diploma, a background check free of criminal issues and rigorous physical requirements. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma in order to join a criminal justice training program.
Criminal Justice Degree Specializations
Those who pursue a criminal justice degree might find work in a variety of specializations. Many of these specializations require additional training or courses with a special emphasis. Possible specializations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Criminal Justice Requirements: Education and Degrees
Education and training in the criminal justice field depends on the career path you wish to take and the educational requirements for law enforcement in your state. In some cases, a high school diploma and passing a physical exam are required to join a training program. However, earning a criminal justice degree can give you more opportunities for advancement.
Many state and local agencies require at least an associate's degree for entry level positions. A bachelor's degree is ideal for those who want to advance to higher levels in the field, as is a master's degree.
Criminal justice requirements for federal agencies include a minimum of a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and related work experience. For instance, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requires an applicant to hold a bachelor's degree, have at least three years of related work experience and meet other criteria that set their skills apart from other law enforcement specialists, such as fluency in a foreign language. In addition, a training program must be completed, which tests both knowledge and physical ability.
Career Outlook for Criminal Justice Professions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for law enforcement is expected to be favorable, but expect tough competition for jobs on the state and federal levels. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow by 10 percent from 2008 to 2018. Work for probation officers and those in corrections should grow by 19 percent during the same time period. Employment of private detectives and investigators will grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.
The salary outlook for those in law enforcement fields includes the following. All income ranges are from the 2009 BLS statistics, which are the latest numbers available at the time of this writing
Those who work in state or federal agencies are often governed by a state or federal pay scale. For more information, contact your local government or the federal agency.
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
Copyright © QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
