Criminal justice college degrees can open career doors such as becoming a police officer.
Criminal justice is a broad-based area of study that teaches students about the various arms of the law and how they are interrelated. Once a degree is obtained, those entering the workforce have an assortment of career paths: criminal justice degrees are relevant in many positions, ranging from government jobs to private sector employment.
Law Enforcement
Though not all positions within law enforcement require a college education, having a criminal justice degree can help with advancing your career within the field. In addition, understanding the criminal justice system itself is of benefit when dealing with the law. Positions such as police officer, detective, sheriff and criminal investigator all deal with various aspects and elements of criminal justice. Even for positions at state and local level police departments not requiring a college degree, coursework and studies within criminal justice are viewed favorably, and having obtained an accredited degree also can assist in securing a position. Those looking to enter the federal government side of law enforcement, such as the FBI, CIA or other more specialized enforcement agencies, typically must have earned a college degree, with criminal justice majors being prime candidates.
Corrections
Working in a corrections facility or within a corrections department for state and local jailing purposes is a career path that is right in line with the principles of criminal justice. Though the corrections aspect of law comes later in the process, working at a corrections center can be one option for those seeking to put a criminal justice degree to practical use. Various positions that can benefit by having a degree include correctional officer, probation officer, parole officer, case managers and treatment specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, those entering the corrections field with a criminal justice degree fare better in terms of a more managerial positions at a higher pay rate compared to those coming in with just a high school diploma.
Legal Field
The legal field, the litigious arm of criminal justice, has a wide assortment of positions available for those hoping to put their criminal justice degree to practical use. Paralegals, though requiring training in other aspects of law, can benefit by having a degree in criminal justice as it helps serve them as they make their way through the vast amounts of documents and case law documents the position routinely deals with. Additional positions such as lawyer, legal aide and even judge all are careers that can stem from obtaining such a degree.
Security
The legal aspects within the field of security positions can be supported by entering into that field having obtained a criminal justice background. The understanding of how the legal process works and how security measures must follow legal precedent and policy; those with such knowledge and understanding can find positions within security at higher levels including management positions. Private business and public entities utilize security agents and guards, thus providing a multitude of job opportunities.
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