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What is Criminal Justice?

A criminal justice degree is the field of study and practice that deals with the methods and means to combat criminal behavior. This is accomplished through employment in one of the three sectors of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections. Individuals will work in one of these three fields, providing services relevant to that area of criminal justice.

Criminal justice requires an understanding of how the three sectors operate together, ensuring that law enforcement abide by laws necessary to perform proper prosecutions, to have the judicial system review and understand the criminal behavior displayed and make judgments in accordance with those crimes, and to have the correction department utilize methods of rehabilitation directed at reintroducing convicts to civil society.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$67,040

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

44.71%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

14,620

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Criminal Justice Degree

Known as a leading research university, the University of California accommodates more than 46,000 students each year. It offers various areas of study ranging from art and sciences, health sciences, business, math, and many others.  One of its degree programs is the master’s in criminal justice wherein students will be prepared to become professionals in the field of criminal justice. It is an online program that emphasizes the evidence-based principle and skills that shaped the leaders in the industry. Students will explore implementation and policy design as well as evaluate research and statistical data to assess practices and policies in criminal justice.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, it’s a public university that is designed to educate leaders, advance human knowledge, and cultivate an informed citizenry. Its staff, faculty, and students break barriers, challenge convention, and pursue the greater good.

It provides a cutting-edge, integrated approach to criminal justice through its ten-week residential National Criminal Justice Command program. It focuses on law enforcement supervisors, managers in corporate and private security, and executive corrections. Students can earn a certificate after the completion of 15 credit hours and 5 courses. The program will be held at the police headquarters in the university.

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Northeastern University provides a life-changing experience to its students by drawing them into society and compels them to solve complex challenges that make them able to reinvent themselves. The university offers 9 research institutes focused on global challenges in security, health, and sustainability.

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice has designed a program in criminal justice wherein students can obtain a bachelor of science degree upon completion. Through its curriculum, students will learn how to understand, explain, and predict crime while contributing to the development of policy within the communities. In addition, students will also enhance their communication knowledge such as verbal and writing skills. 

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Founded by Jesuits, Boston College offers an education with a heart and soul while aiming to transform students to become industry professionals and leaders in student formation, liberal arts, and scientific inquiry. It develops the talents and minds of students by providing excellent academic programs.

To explore the economic, psychological, and social factors of criminal behavior and understand the operation of criminal justice. Students in this program will learn to assess legal, political, and judicial institutions as well as ethical issues involving criminality and punishment. Its curriculum also includes seminars, philosophy courses, social sciences, theology, quantitative reasoning, arts, history, natural sciences, and cultural diversity.

Acceptance Rate

27.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Within its three campuses, Boston University houses over 10,000 expert individuals that provide excellent education and training to its more than 34,000 students. It has a mission to educate students to be resourceful and reflective individuals who are ready to adapt, lead, and live in an interconnected world.

B.S Criminal Justice is one of its programs that build on theories and methods of social science while developing an understanding of criminal policy, activity, corrections, social policy, and criminal court procedures. Individuals who wish to be a part of the program will have access to a part-time study of 128 credits that can be finished in 24 to 36 months. Graduates will be adept in computer applications, quantitative analysis, and critical thinking in relation to the criminal study.

Acceptance Rate

18.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The University of Richmond has the ambition to help students pursue their goals while providing incredible impact around the globe. It was established in 1830 and has been accommodating over 3,000 students each year.

The university also provides a criminal justice program under the department of sociology and anthropology. The program is designed to provide a basic understanding of relevant issues in the criminal justice system, its curriculum includes lessons about criminal law, the justice system, as well as internship and undergraduate research. Graduates of this program can continue their education in graduate degrees or obtain employment in correctional counseling, criminal justice administration, and law enforcement.

Acceptance Rate

28.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Recognized as the oldest institution of higher education in Florida, Florida State University provides 297-degree programs in bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, professional, and doctoral. It houses nearly 15,000 students as well as dedicated and passionate employees.

One of its undergraduate programs is criminology and criminal justice wherein individuals will focus on learning and producing research about the field. The program consists of 36 semester hours and students will be able to become independent thinkers that would help them prepare for a rewarding career in the field of criminology. Students can choose a flexible schedule that suits them best and are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA in all of their coursework in criminology.

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

George Washington University aims to be the institution wherein individuals can start their dreams or forge a new path. It has a world-class faculty that provides high-quality education and high-impact research that helps students become ready for the ever-changing industry.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is one of its undergraduate programs that concentrate on the historical development of criminal justice and modern legal systems. Throughout the program, students will go through interactive classes, seminars, and analysis of the effects of criminal justice in society. Students of this program may choose to combine major and minor courses in history, psychology, and political science. 

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Located in Washington, DC, the American University has a community of strivers, dreamers, activists, artists, servant-leaders, and scholars. It has a student-centered environment and equipped with internationally renowned faculty with the aim to create a change in the global community.

American University’s Department of Criminal Justice, Law and Criminology offers different programs that tackle the latest critical challenges, issues of justice, security concerns, and points of law. With the help of expert faculty, students will be able to conduct excellent research and work with practitioners and policymakers to make a solution to the community’s most pressing security issues. Students who are interested in the field can choose between the six criminal justice degrees offered by the department. 

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Since its foundation 100 years ago, the Texas Christian University values culture and tradition as they strive forward to give outstanding academic learning to the individuals in the community. It has over 90,000 and counting alumni all over the world.

Individuals who wish to explore crime and justice are welcome to enroll in the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs which focus on criminal justice. Its coursework consists of the penal system, policing, parole and probation, criminal investigation, the court system, and much more. Through this program, students will enable their practical knowledge and skills that are essential to navigate the criminal justice system.

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

As the oldest higher-education, San Diego State University provides an opportunity for its 36,000 students and prepares them for a global future. It was founded in 1897 and has been the leading institution in public research since then.

The school of public affairs in San Diego State University has designed a top rated criminal justice degree program to encourage individuals to explore the justice system and to prepare them for a rewarding career or in continuing their education in law school and other related fields. The program stresses the examination of policy issues, institutionalized racism, environmental destruction, organized crime, and the traditional criminal justice issues. Students will earn a Bachelor of Science degree upon completing the requirements of the program.

Acceptance Rate

34.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

27:1

The College of the Ozarks has a mission to provide Christian education for the youth and a vision to develop citizens to have a Christ-like character. It provides opportunities and prepares students by letting them become well-educated, patriotic, and hard-working.

It presents a 4-year criminology program wherein students can learn about corrections and law enforcement as well as participate in field trips to jails, prisons, law enforcement agencies, and other justice system facilities and sites. With the guidance of experienced professionals, students will be provided with comprehensive education and an internship program wherein students will be assigned to duty in criminal justice agencies. Students can also choose between a major or minor in criminal justice. 

Acceptance Rate

10.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The purpose of California State University is to enrich the lives of its students by providing global information and high-impact experiences through research, creativity, excellent teaching, and actions taken for the public good. It also values diversity, compassion, and innovation.

The School of Health and Human Services outlines a criminal justice program whose mission is to educate students and help them become ethical leaders to practice the promotion of justice and provide services to the community. Individuals can admit in the college’s graduate, undergraduate, certificate, and internship programs depending on their needs. It is expected that graduates of this course will have knowledge of the concepts, process, composition, and history of the criminal justice system.

Acceptance Rate

39.27

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

The University of Tulsa aims to provide excellence in scholarship, integrity of character, dedication to free inquiry, and commitment to humanity. It helps students to become literate in arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as develop their critical, written, and verbal skills that are essential in the professional industry.

It offers a law, policy, and social justice program that integrates learning in law, ethics, responsibility, and politics of the global community. Students can enroll in the undergraduate minor degree program that lets them explore a diverse law and become an instrument to create improvement in human societies. Together with professional faculty, students will learn theories of punishment, the American legal system, political philosophy, literature, international law, and other criminal justice-related courses. 

Acceptance Rate

35.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Clark University brings together creative, intellectually engaged, and passionate individuals to create a better world. For over 130 years, the university has been giving world-class teaching, creative invention, and boundary-pushing discovery.

Clark University has a diverse program of study and it includes the criminal justice major that accommodates individuals who aspire to become professional police, have knowledge about corrections, and other criminal justice work. Enrolled students of the program are required to complete 32 units to earn a Bachelor of Science degree including major, elective, general, and perspective courses. Upon completion, students are expected to learn the American criminal justice system, crime and deviance, and drugs and crime in society.

Acceptance Rate

52.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

As a metropolitan research institution, the University of Central Florida is built to make better opportunities for students and society through innovative learning, social mobility, academic learning, and discovery. It was founded in 1963 and is located in Orlando, Florida.

UCF offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice under the college of community innovation and education. The program can be completed online or on-campus, depending on what fits the schedule of its students. To complete the program and obtain a degree, students need to follow and submit the requirements of the program. Students will need to complete the 120 credit hours to obtain certificates that are needed for a rewarding career in the criminal justice field.

Acceptance Rate

44.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

30:1

The SUNY College at Oneonta is a four-year public college located in central New York. It was established in the late 1800s and has been committed to providing community participation to nurture and inspire individuals.

The college developed a criminal justice major that has a criminological focus in community relations, consequences and causes of crime, and analysis of criminal justice. The program was designed by the Department of Sociology to provide flexibility for students who are unsure about their career paths and decide to attend law school or become a prison consultant. The course will be completed after 4 years and 120 degree credits.

Acceptance Rate

56.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Geneva College provides outstanding academic programs in a Christ-centered education and job opportunities for its graduate months after graduation. Today, the college accommodates 1430 students in its 55-acre campus with a student/faculty ratio of 13:1.

Its program includes a top criminal justice degree that creates an interdisciplinary experience in human services, psychology, political science, and sociology. The program was developed and enhanced by the department of psychology and social services that commit to give compassionate service to the community and students. Participants of the program will also go through an intensive internship in the field of criminal justice as well as participate in seminars before completing the degree program. 

Acceptance Rate

53.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Saint Louis University offers world-class academic programs for its more than 12,000 students and provides transformative education that develops the students to become confident and bold leaders. It also has over 2,000 faculty members that are committed to giving excellent learning and motivating students.

Under its public health and social justice department, a criminology and criminal justice degree program have been developed. It provides comprehensive academic learning in criminology such as the nature of criminal offending, law enforcement, victimization, court administration, and constitutional corrections. The program also improves the justice system by concentrating on the community of those involved in violence and impacted by crime. 

Acceptance Rate

58.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Rutgers University ensures that individuals will have a transformative, life-changing experience while learning through the university’s diverse academic programs. The university let their students become informed, focused, acknowledged, judicious, and beloved.

It offers an online degree in criminal justice program with an approach to study justice and crime that blends with liberal arts and professional training. The program covers practice and theory of social control to encourage students to learn about the concerns of management, consequences of existing institutional arrangements, challenges of setting policy, and more. The curriculum aims to develop the skills and appreciation of the students for the legal, social, and political contexts. 

Acceptance Rate

61.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

California State University Fullerton or more commonly known as Cal State Fullerton is an intellectual and cultural institution that drives the workforce and enhances economic development. More than 41,000 students have enrolled in the university annually.

The division of politics, administration, and justice offers a criminal justice degree program that concentrates on studying the causes, control, and consequences of crime. Students can obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree after completing the requirements of the program such as internships, exams, and seminars. The program is guided by experienced and dedicated professionals that help students learn about the in-service and pre-service practices and principles of criminal justice. 

Acceptance Rate

52.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Howard University has been providing excellent educational learning in arts, humanities, and science since 1867. It offers more than 120 learning paths that can lead to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

Through its department of sociology and criminology, aspiring learners in the criminal justice field can enroll in the criminology program. It focuses on preparing students to have a successful career in the justice field as well as providing learning courses in humanities, and behavioral and social science. Its curriculum also combines practical and theory experiences that give students more knowledge in the criminal justice system, complexities of human conduct, and solving some problems of human social life. 

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Temple University was founded by Russell Conwell with the aim to become an international powerhouse and a top-tier research university. It accommodates more than 30,000 students who are enrolled in its various degree programs.

The Temple University criminal justice degree program was developed by the college of liberal arts and is committed to deepening the students’ understanding of governance, crime, and social justice. Students can enroll in a bachelor of arts, minor, master’s, certificate, and Ph.D. degrees in criminal justice. Handled by experts who are passionate about providing excellent education, the students will also experience practice-focused and policy-oriented research and training programs. 

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of Massachusetts Amherst or UMass Amherst is a public university that focuses on research and education and offers a rich cultural environment for its students. The university values diversity, accomplishment, and sustainability.

The college of social and behavioral sciences offers a certificate in criminology and criminal justice system that helps students plan or continue their careers in the field. The program covers law enforcement, court systems, probation, and corrections. Graduates of this program can be employed in federal government agencies as police officers, special agents, paralegals, district attorneys, criminal defense lawyers, and parole officers. 

Acceptance Rate

63.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The Truman State University offers educational programs in liberal arts and sciences. It provides a close-knit and accepting campus environment that helps its over 4,000 students become connected to one another.

One of its major degree programs is the justice systems wherein students will discover how to know the components that build the justice system while also understanding the basics of criminal justice. It also focuses on corrections, court, criminal law, criminology, and law enforcement. Students of this program will experience a supportive learning environment as well as gain a rewarding career in the criminal justice field.

Acceptance Rate

62.61

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Top Degrees in Law & Criminal Justice

Online criminal justice degrees or classroom-based degree programs are plentiful. In fact, programs span from certificate programs up through doctorate degrees in a variety of disciplines. To help you make sense of degree criminal justice, we have provided an overview of the programs below. Each justice associate degrees has ready access to learn more from top colleges in criminal justice built in.

Finding the best criminal justice degree means vetting their programs, understanding the requirements, pedagogy, and career path after graduation. Below you will find a list of degree options in criminal justice:

Criminal Justice Certificate

Criminal justice certificates can be offered in two primary modalities: in class or online. Students seeking to earn a criminal justice certificate online will have dozens of high-quality options to consider. Similarly, on-campus criminal justice degrees continue to be an effective mode of learning within a group setting.

Certificates in criminal justice are offered at either a graduate or undergraduate level. Graduate certificates are upper-level programs that require working knowledge in criminal justice to help working professionals upskill in the field or prepare for a career transition of some nature. A popular dual certificate option includes a criminal justice forensic science lash-up.

On the other hand, there are justice degree programs conferred as a diploma in criminal justice that provide students with foundational knowledge of the field and created to provide entry-level opportunities or a path to a degree program. Certificate program can last from a few weeks to a year depending on the program type and number of credits taken at a given time.

Criminal Justice Associate Degree

The associates in criminal justice degree is generally a twenty-four-month program. Online criminal justice associate degree options are available from dozens of top-rated colleges. The constructs include blending liberal arts classes such as creative writing, communications, psychology, and philosophy with core courses. Coupling core courses plus liberal arts helps students integrate holistic reasoning skills more effectively.

Degrees in criminal justice can be conferred as an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of Science (AS) depending on the course design. Core classes in criminal justice may include courses such as: crime analysis, constitutional law, deviance, psychological profiling, and forensic psychology. A CJ concentration may be coupled with criminal psychology degrees for those interested in a non-traditional track in justice administration.

Bachelor Justice Degree Programs

The online bachelor's degree in criminal justice are 4-year programs that can be conferred in two primary ways: Bachelor's of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). Similar to an associate degree, the criminal justice bachelor track melds general education and core criminal justice courses. Deeper classes in liberal arts plus more challenging core criminal justice electives allow students to go further into this learning domain.

In fact, many programs offer specializations in criminal justice that can include concentrations like crime scene investigation, criminal psychology, business administration, homeland security, juvenile justice, strategic intelligence, public administration, and corrections. The classes you take will depend on your chosen area of specialty coupled with the overarching emphasis of the colleges curricular design.

Master’s in Criminal Justice

Online criminal justice master's degrees and their on-campus equivalent are most often conferred as a Master of Science (MS) from accredited colleges and universities. The areas of concentration for online degrees in criminal justice will flex depending on the school. Popular master's in criminal justice concentrations are human services, public administration, homeland security, forensic psychology, emergency management, and computer information systems.

Master's degrees can be completed in one to two years of full-time matriculation after meeting all lower-level course requirements. Interested students can earn a graduate degree in criminal justice via modalities such as classroom-based learning, distance learning, or hybrid degrees.

PhD Justice Degree Programs

The doctoral degrees in criminal justice can be earned online or in class like lower-level degrees. Doctoral degrees in criminal justice the field are conferred as a PhD. Generally, degrees are parsed by specific fields of study like emergency management, global leadership, justice administration, law & public policy, homeland security, public management, or teaching in higher education.

Programs can take 3-6 years to complete depending on the number of credits taken at a given time and the length of time it takes to complete the dissertation. A PhD is known as a terminal degree in the field of criminal justice as there are no additional degrees beyond the doctorate degree.

Top Universities: Student CJ Courses

A criminal justice degree prepares individuals for a career in the justice system. Criminal justice is a growing field, and as such has seen a surge in educational opportunities for individuals. One can obtain certification in a specific area of criminal justice or can pursue a postgraduate degree; the decision of which will be based on the career path chosen by the individual.

Students seeking a criminal justice degree will learn how these three parts functions independently and together and will eventually choose which path he or she will focus on for his career. Coursework will include general education courses alongside major requirements. Check out our exclusive rankings above plus digest curriculum that may be part of typical criminal justice classes include:

  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Ethics
  • Crime Prevention
  • Emergency Management
  • Criminal Procedures
  • Administration of Justice
  • Public Safety
  • Communications
  • Forensics
  • Deviant Behavior
  • Criminalization
  • Public Policy
  • Economics & Statistics
  • Corrections
  • U.S. Government
  • Judicial Process

A criminal justice degree can also provide a solid foundation for aspiring law students, as it provides a solid background in the legal process as well as the various aspects of how justice is implemented and observed, providing a less abstract foundation on how laws affect society and individuals.

Employment Opportunities in Criminal Justice

Individuals pursuing a career in criminal justice will often enter into law enforcement, with higher level degrees allowing greater access to law enforcement opportunities, typically at the state and federal level. Additionally, work in a courtroom, law firm, and in corrections, allows flexibility in one's specialization and variety in one's employment opportunities. Based on one's preference, education and goals, a career in criminal justice can be extensive and rewarding.

It is also important to note that more and more law enforcement agencies are requiring some college level education to be considered for a position. A degree in criminal justice also provides a solid foundation for related postgraduate degrees, such asforensic psychology, which can in turn be used to augment one's knowledge and increasing his or her effectiveness as a specialist in the criminal justice field.

Top Criminal Justice Careers

We often hear questions from students such as: what can I do with a criminal justice degree and what jobs can you get with a criminal justice degree?  Given the array of degrees and vocational tracks within criminal justice, we have culled a few examples of common job domains to help you get a better understanding of the industry.

The most common sectors within criminal justice include forensics, corrections, homeland security, legal, law enforcement, and private sector.  An overview of each is listed below along with career examples and associated job titles.

1.  Homeland Security

The Homeland Security division of criminal justice accounts for approximately 10% of federal employees with 180,000 professionals employed in this sector nationwide.   Employees within the Department of Homeland Security perform a variety of jobs that have the common theme of protecting our national interests.

Career Outlook:  The career outlook in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide steady employment growth with new vocations and technical challenges evolving as threats of all types continue to morph.

Career Examples: CIA Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agent, US Coast Guard, Border Patrol Agent, United States Air Marshal, Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) Officer, Domestic Nuclear Detection Officer, Cyber Network Analyst, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agent, Homeland Security Investigator, United States Secret Service Police Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Agent, Transportation Security Screener, Federal Protective Services Agent

2.  Criminology & Forensics

Criminology is defined as the study of crime and criminals from a scientific standpoint which naturally links to the burgeoning field of forensics.  Forensics is the scientific and technical aspects of gathering, analyzing, and studying data associated with crimes for a variety of purposes.

Career Outlook:  Forensic scientists are in high demand and expected growth rate is a robust 27% in the coming decade creating some 9,900 job openings during the coming reporting period.

Career Examples: Criminologist, Forensic Toxicologist, Forensic Odontologist, Forensic DNA Analyst, Polygraph Examiner, Digital Forensic Expert, Penologist, Forensic Ballistic Expert, Forensic Accountant, Forensic Anthropologist, Forensic Psychologist, Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Pathologist, Criminalist, Forensic Documents Examiner, Blood Spatter Analyst, Forensic Computer Investigator

3.  Rehabilitation & Corrections

Corrections is a field of criminal justice focused on the systematization of criminals and the associated holding facilities.  On the other hand, rehabilitation is the psychological and sociological study of understanding criminals in the system and individuals at risk of becoming part of the system.

Career Outlook: Job prospects in corrections and rehabilitation is estimated to growth approximately 6% in the coming decade which is on par with the national average for all jobs during this time.

Career Examples: Corrections Officer, Prison Warden, Probation Officer, Substance Abuse Counselor, Correctional Treatment Specialist, Juvenile Probation Counselor

4.  Law Enforcement

The discipline of law enforcement can include traditional careers like police officers to a specialized roles in crime scene investigation.  In this field, data and analytics meet with defined processes and procedures to provide a consistent platform for identifying deviations in the law and remediating such deviations.

Career Outlook: The career outlook in this sector is projected to be stable with most precincts and divisions swelling and shrinking with state and federal budgets.

Career Examples: Sheriff, Information Security Agent, Federal Protective Service, ATF Agent, Fish and Game Warden, Counter Terrorism, Crime Scene Investigator, Compliance Officer, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Agent, Fraud Investigator, K9 Officer, ATF Technician, Psychological Profiler, FBI Agent, Police Officer, ATF Investigator, Deportation Officer, Crime Lab Analyst, Diplomatic Security, Emergency Management Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Officer

5.  Legal

The legal division of criminal justice includes a number of professions that assist in the court room and help to support the judicial system in a variety of capacities.  As an example of the diversity, both a judge and medical examiner are considered part of the legal domain within criminal justice.

Career Outlook:  Similar to Law Enforcement, the legal domain often mirrors macroeconomic trends.  Job growth often follows population trends and increases accordingly.  The net result can be observed as employment growth is far more rapid in a bustling metro area compared to a static rural setting.

Career Examples: Judge & Magistrate, Fraud Investigator, Court Reporter, Paralegal, Bailiff, Lawyer, Court Clerk, Security Guard, Medical Examiner, Law Librarian

6.  Private Sector

The private sector in criminal justice includes a wide swath of jobs outside the state or federal system.  From privately employed information security specialists to security guards, the private sector is rapidly growing to meet the expanding needs of individuals, corporations, and government agencies.

Career Outlook:  Careers in the private sector of criminal justice are anticipated to grow rapidly when compared to the average growth rate projections across all occupations in the coming term.

Career Examples: Private Investigator, Security Guard, Private Detective, Cybersecurity, Information Security Analyst, Forensic Data Analyst

Crime Fighting Jobs in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice salary numbers are as varied as the jobs themselves. Case in point, the average criminal justice salary can vary from $30,000 per year to $120,000 per year depending on profession, education, and experience. This variance is a result of the broad number of jobs that fall under the criminal justice category and reflects the training and risk of a given job.

The market for jobs in criminal justice is expanding and is expected to continue to do so in the future. This expansion in jobs is due to the growth of the criminal justice system in the United States. Areas with higher population will also have a larger number of work opportunities and the wide variety of jobs available makes criminal justice an appealing career choice.

What Can Students Do with Criminal Justice Degrees?

Contrary to popular perception, a criminal justice major will not relegate students to a job as a security officer or police officer. In fact, with over three million people employed in the criminal justice field the job diversity is quite expansive. Criminal justice careers are expansive across the legal domain.

Careers in criminal justice can be obtained after earning an online or campus-based degree at any level. Launching a criminal justice career will take focus, discipline, hard work, and timing. Criminal justice degree jobs can include any number of the following trades:

Cybersecurity Bailiff
Court Clerk Conservation Officer
Air Marshal Fire Investigator
Judge Community Social Worker
Sociologist Blood Spatter Analyst
CIA Analyst Substance Abuse Counselor
Legal Assistant Border Patrol Agent
Correctional Officer Parole Officer
Crime Lab Analyst Information Security Analyst
Bounty Hunter FBI Agent
Game Warden Attorney
Court Reporter Court Paralegal
Private Security Deputy Sherriff
DEA Agent

 

If you are interested in obtaining a criminal justice degree, you may also wish to considerforensic science degree,law enforcement administration degree,criminology, or acriminal science degree. For additional information, check out our Criminal Justice Career Resource Guide today.

Top 12 CJ Student Associations

  1. National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
  2. American Society of Criminology (ASC)
  3. National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
  4. Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA)
  5. International Community Corrections Association (ICCA)
  6. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
  7. International Association of Women Police (IAWP)
  8. National Black Police Association (NBPA)
  9. American Society of Forensic Scientists (ASFS)
  10. American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)
  11. American Jail Association (AJA)
  12. American Correctional Association (ACA)

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