How a degree in Criminal Justice can help advance your career

The field of criminal justice has many opportunities for those seeking to work in a law enforcement related field. With your degree in criminal justice you will have the background to work in corrections, law enforcement or crime investigation. Once you complete your degree, you can select your career direction from a wide variety of pathways. Depending on where you want to go, you may be heading for an entry-level job in your chosen specialty, into more years of schooling or into a job with more advanced responsibility.

Your degree in criminal justice will prepare you for jobs in the fields of law, law enforcement, corporate security or even law administration. In the area of corrections, you will need a degree to rise into positions of more responsibility such as a warden. Other positions that require a degree include detectives on the police force, paralegals or lawyers in law firms and managers of corporate security.

Law Enforcement

Most positions in the police department require a degree in criminal justice. While there are some police forces that don’t require the degree, to be considered for a position above entry level, you will need to have a criminal justice degree or a related degree. If your goal is to work in a small town, you can probably get by without a degree in criminal justice but you will not have the opportunities to move to a bigger police force in a more metropolitan city.

Corrections

The field of Corrections is the branch of the legal system that is responsible for the oversight and control of those convicted of crimes. Jails and prisons require personnel to operate and those that direct the facility need the understanding of and training in criminal behavior and rehabilitation.

Other Enforcement Agencies

Other agencies that are responsible for the prevention of crimes and the apprehension of the people that commit the crimes are found at the local, state and federal level. As a particular position rises in authority, the agency qualifications also increase. US Marshals and agents for the FBI must possess a degree in criminal justice or a closely related field. Other agencies that are familiar to most are DEA, Customs, Immigration and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Legal Profession

Many students that seek a degree in criminal justice are headed towards the legal profession. Whether it is as a paralegal or a lawyer, the degree can provide you a sound foundation in your training. However, you usually will need to go on to get further certification to become a paralegal, and if you want to become a lawyer you will have to graduate from an ABA approved law school.

Investigative Resources

While a degree in criminal justice will not fully prepare a person for the role of investigator, it is a great beginning. In the media today, a Crime Scene Investigator, or CSI, has become a rather glamorous job. The training required for these positions include not only a criminal justice background, but also training in scientific methodology and principles. To obtain these types of credentials usually requires more schooling and possibly even another degree.

Regardless of where you want to work or what particular field you have an interest in, you will benefit from having a degree in criminal justice. It gives you the opportunity to be promoted within your field, take on more responsibility and make an impact in your job. While the possession of a degree in no way makes you an expert, it does signify that you have the basic and some advanced understanding of the principles of criminal justice.

It also presents you as a person with the ability to take higher levels of responsibility and follow through on difficult tasks.

For individuals that aspire to higher levels of position in the field of criminal justice the degree will be the single most important credential to open the door to many opportunities.