What do You study in criminal justice?

What Do You Study in Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is a multidisciplinary field that involves the study of crime, its causes, and the ways in which societies respond to it. The field of criminal justice is vast and comprehensive, covering topics such as the nature of crime, criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and rehabilitation. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of the field of criminal justice, and what students typically study when pursuing a degree in this field.

Foundations of Criminal Justice

A foundation of criminal justice education is understanding the history of criminal justice, including its development, evolution, and changes over time. This includes the study of landmark cases, legislation, and judicial decisions that have shaped the criminal justice system.

• Criminal behavior and criminology: Students study the causes of crime, including psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. They also examine the various theories of criminology, such as rational choice theory, routine activities theory, and general strain theory.
• The criminal justice system: The structure and function of the criminal justice system are also studied, including the roles of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and rehabilitation.

Legal and Ethical Aspects

Understanding the legal and ethical aspects of criminal justice is critical for students pursuing a degree in this field.

• Criminal law: Students study the principles of criminal law, including the types of crimes, criminal jurisdiction, and the elements of crimes.
• Law enforcement and policing: Students learn about the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement, including police procedures, techniques, and ethics.
• Criminal procedure and evidence: Students study the legal procedures and rules of evidence used in criminal investigations and trials.
• Ethics and professionalism: Students learn about the importance of ethics and professionalism in criminal justice, including topics such as confidentiality, witness tampering, and expert testimony.

Criminal Justice Organizations and Systems

Criminal justice students also study the organizations and systems that make up the criminal justice system.

• Law enforcement agencies: Students learn about the various types of law enforcement agencies, including local police departments, state police, federal agencies, and military police.
• Courts and the judiciary: Students study the structure and function of the court system, including the roles of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jurors.
• Corrections and rehabilitation: Students learn about the various types of correctional facilities, including jails, prisons, and boot camps, as well as rehabilitation programs and services.

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Pursuing a Career in Criminal Justice

Once you have completed your criminal justice degree, you may be interested in pursuing a career in this field. The job market for criminal justice graduates is growing, with opportunities in a wide range of fields. Here are some potential careers and job titles:

Law Enforcement

• Police Officer: Enforces laws and maintains order on the streets.
• Detective: Investigates crimes and gathers evidence to solve cases.
• Deputy Sheriff: Performs law enforcement duties and helps to maintain order in the community.

Corrections

• Correctional Officer: Supervises inmates in a correctional facility.
• Probation Officer: Works with released inmates to help them rehabilitation and avoid recidivism.

Criminal Justice Administration

• Policing Administrator: Manages law enforcement agencies or programs.
• Probation and Parole Supervisor: Oversees probation and parole officers and programs.
• Corrections Manager: Manages correctional facilities or programs.

Academia and Research

• Criminal Justice Professor: Teaches criminal justice courses at the college or university level.
• Researcher: Conducts research on crime and criminal justice issues to inform policy and practice.
• Policy Analyst: Analyzes data and evaluates programs to inform policy and practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, criminal justice is a multifaceted field that encompasses a wide range of topics and disciplines. When pursuing a degree in this field, students typically study the foundations of criminal justice, legal and ethical aspects, criminal justice organizations and systems, and pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, criminal justice administration, and academia and research. By understanding the various components of the criminal justice system and the careers available to criminal justice graduates, you can make informed decisions about your educational and professional pursuits.

Table: Sample Career Paths in Criminal Justice

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Career	Job Title	Description
Law Enforcement	Police Officer	Enforces laws and maintains order on the streets.
Law Enforcement	Detective	Investigates crimes and gathers evidence to solve cases.
Corrections	Correctional Officer	Supervises inmates in a correctional facility.
Criminal Justice Administration	Policing Administrator	Manages law enforcement agencies or programs.
Academia and Research	Criminal Justice Professor	Teaches criminal justice courses at the college or university level.
Academia and Research	Researcher	Conducts research on crime and criminal justice issues to inform policy and practice.
Academia and Research	Policy Analyst	Analyzes data and evaluates programs to inform policy and practice.

Bibliography

• Austin, J., & Irving, R. (2008). Improving Policing: Performance and Innovation. National Academies Press.
• Hagan, F., & Leon, J. (2012). Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Routledge.
• Siegel, L. J. (2016). Criminology: The Core. Cengage Learning.

Note: The numbers in brackets refer to the references listed at the end of the article.

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