If you want to pursue a career in the justice system, consider earning a degree in criminal justice. The field is interdisciplinary and offers a diverse range of careers with solid salary potential.
Earning a Criminal Justice Degree
A criminal justice degree can prepare you for many rewarding career paths in law enforcement, corrections and forensic science. You can also go on to graduate school for a doctoral degree in the field, which can help you qualify for positions as a professor at a college or university.
Associate degrees in criminal justice are designed for students who wish to enter the field as entry-level employees. These programs are typically two years long and provide the necessary knowledge to start building your in-field experience. The coursework teaches you how to interact with the public, handle conflict and work under pressure.
Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice usually take four years to complete and teach you about the basic principles of crime, criminology and the court systems. You may choose to specialize in a specific area, such as law enforcement, forensics or juvenile delinquency.
Master’s degrees in criminal justice typically take two to three years to https://brescia.uwo.ca/undergraduate/criminal_justice.php complete and teach you advanced topics in crime, criminology, law and leadership. You might pursue a career as a forensic science technician or a law enforcement officer, or you can become a paralegal.
PhD degrees in criminal justice are the highest level of academic study and prepare you for research and scholarship jobs at colleges and universities. These programs require a dissertation, defense and comprehensive exams.
Criminology is an interdisciplinary field that examines the social, psychological and political factors that affect behavior. This is an ideal major for people who have great interpersonal skills and want to make a difference in their communities by helping to prevent crime.
A bachelor’s in criminology can lead to careers in law enforcement, security and legal services, as well as in forensics, incarceration or probation. You can also pursue a graduate degree in the field, such as a master’s in criminology, which can lead to a higher salary and better job prospects than an associate or bachelor’s degree.
The criminal justice field is a growing and diverse industry that provides a lot of exciting opportunities for those who want to join the ranks of police officers, FBI agents and other elite agencies. The field is expected to grow by 5% between 2019 and 2029, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Those who earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can expect to begin their career in law enforcement, forensics or security and then move up to supervisory or management positions in the future. Those who go on to pursue a master’s degree can expect to start their careers in management or leadership roles, while those who earn a PhD can find career opportunities in academia and policy-making.
Earning a criminal justice degree online is a good option for prospective students who have busy schedules and can’t always attend traditional on-campus classes. Online courses are facilitated through high-quality web technology and allow you to work with a diverse group of classmates and faculty in a remote setting. The online environment can also help you connect with people across the globe and learn from experts in their fields who share your interests and values.
