Criminal Justice

“The system of law enforcement, the bar, the judiciary, corrections, and probation that is directly involved in the apprehension, prosecution, defense, sentencing, incarceration, and supervision of those suspected of or charged with criminal offenses.” This is how the American Heritage Dictionary defines "criminal justice." This definition covers a lot of territory, and thus provides numerous opportunities for careers, degrees and employment in the criminal justice field.

Criminal justice can be divided into three major but interrelated disciplines:

Law enforcement covers such diverse areas as crime prevention and control, crime investigation and forensics, game wardens, and even international concerns, such as those which the Department of Homeland Security manages at the federal level.
The Judicial System, also referred to as the Justice or Court System, is charged with the administration of justice, which involves lawyers, paralegals, and various levels of courts within the judicial system. The function of the judicial branch is to interpret and apply laws.
Corrections involves the management of convicted offenders, including their incarceration, rehabilitation, probation and parole.

Criminal Justice Degrees

Most positions in criminal justice require a college degree in a specific discipline. While some criminal justice positions can be obtained with just a certification or an AA degree, the more advanced the degree, the wider the range of possibilities will be open to you. Many colleges now offer a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice upon the successful completion of an interdisciplinary course of studies covering the institutions, policies, and philosophies of justice directly related to crime control, the maintenance of social order and the achievement of justice in society. Students seeking a B.A. in Criminal Justice also take courses in political science, sociology and psychology. These programs are appropriate for individuals considering a career in a criminal justice agency at any level of government (local, state or federal), as well as for those who desire employment in the private sector.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a college degree has the potential to nearly double one's annual income. While a general degree in criminal justice can provide an overall introduction to the field, including information and techniques used in every division, the more advanced and specific your degree, the greater your chances for success in any criminal justice field.

If you are serious about pursuing a degree in criminal justice, choice of schools is of key importance. Be sure to investigate the curriculum of any school that offers degrees in criminal justice, or any of its various fields, then compare several candidate schools' curricula closely to determine which is most likely to lead your career in the direction you want to go.

Learn more about obtaining your degree in Criminal Justice.

A sample of available criminal justice degrees includes:

A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
This two-year degree provides a foundation in the areas of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and security. Often provides technical skills required in specialized employment areas as well. Can be used as a base for a bachelor's degree or for entry-level employment in the criminal justice field.

B.S. in Criminal Justice
A baccalaureate (BS) degree combines coursework in all aspects of the criminal justice system with courses in such areas as psychology, history, political science, sociology, biology, communications, and management. The curriculum for the criminal justice major is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of crime and criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, corrections, security, and investigative forensics.

Advanced Start B.S. in Criminal Justice
With the possession of an AA degree in criminal justice, this program accelerates the path to a bachelor's degree.

B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
Curriculum usually covers the historical foundations of criminal justice, its agencies and processes, and modern day applications in such areas as law enforcement, courts, corrections, and juvenile delinquency.

M.S. in Criminal Justice
An MS in Criminal Justice trains the student in areas such as Criminological Theory, Criminal Justice Administration, Research Methodology, and Policy Analysis.

M.S. in Human Services-Criminal Justice
The degree applies social work to the criminal justice field, providing the required skills to become a case worker, probation officer, or to move into the fields of case management, supervision, and administration.

PhD in Human Services-Criminal Justice
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Human Services-Criminal Justice prepares professionals to understand and address the many complex issues surrounding criminal behavior, prevention and intervention programming at the local, state and federal level. Appropriate for those who wish to perform advanced study and research in the criminal justice field, or who desire academic or leadership positions.

View a complete list and description of available criminal justice degree programs.

Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice careers are available at every level of government, from local to federal. For those who prefer to work outside of traditional government or law enforcement agencies, there are numerous opportunities available in the private sector, ranging from security guard to private investigator to bounty hunter.

What are your chances of employment in the criminal justice field? U.S. Department of Labor forecasts indicate that by the year 2010 there will be at least a 29% increase in demand for police officers, forensic specialists, corrections officers and Department of Homeland Security personnel, including Immigration Agents and Customs Agents, among many other criminal justice-related positions.

Numerous career opportunities are available in all three major divisions of the criminal justice field. A few examples include:

Law Enforcement

Courts and Justice System

Corrections

Get started today on your Criminal Justice career.

Financial Outlook for Careers in Criminal Justice

Salaries of various positions within the criminal justice system vary widely and depend on several factors. This is true for positions in all divisions of the criminal justice system, regardless of whether they are in the law enforcement, judicial or correctional fields. Within the law enforcement sector, compensation is dependent upon rank and pay grade—homicide investigators and detectives will command a higher salary than police officers in uniform, for instance. In general, federal law enforcement agents are more likely to command higher salaries than local police officers and county sheriffs. In other positions, the private sector traditionally pays more than most government agencies, and has the advantage of personal initiative to drive earnings higher than the ceilings placed on government pay scales. Defense lawyers and private investigators can set their own fees, for example, while public servants such as public defenders, Assistant District Attorneys, and police investigators are bound by the pay scale of their rank and their geographical location.