What Can I Do with My Criminal Justice Degree?
Obtaining a degree in criminal justice can lead to a wide range of career opportunities. Students who study criminal justice often develop skills in law enforcement, administration, policy analysis, research, and analysis. While some careers require a degree in criminal justice, many others simply appreciate the versatility of graduates. Here’s a rundown of what you can do with your criminal justice degree.
Law Enforcement
Those with a degree in criminal justice are naturally drawn to careers in law enforcement. With proper training, you can become a police officer, federal agent, correctional officer, or FBI agent.
• Police Officer: Entry-level requirements for police officers typically involve obtaining a high school diploma, meeting physical requirements, and undergoing academy training.
• FBI Agent: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any field and complete basic training at the FBI Academy.
Law and Forensic Science
While forensic science can be an excellent career option, keep in mind that many jobs require certifications, associate, or graduate degrees in a specialized field like biochemistry.
• Crime Scene Analyst: Oversee crime scenes, analyze evidence, and document crime reports.
• Forensic Chemist: Analyze drugs, toxicology, and forensic chemistry related to investigations.
• Litigation Assistant: Assist law firms in court cases related to crimes and investigations.
Corporate and Consulting Careers
Many large corporations require dedicated security services and employee backgrounds checks.
• Loss Prevention Specialist: Ensure a company’s assets remain secure.
• Internal Audit Specialist: Audit departments ensure compliance.
• Conduct research studies with criminology labs at think tanks and universities.
• Join consulting firms, offering their expertise on crisis management and risk analysis to clients.
Higher Education
Professor/Instructor: Share knowledge as a respected expert and supervisor with students at higher education institutions.
Academic or Research roles: Pursue degrees, Post-Docs or Research Aspirations in Criminology, Jurisprudence, Criminal Justice Research**.
• Assistant Provost/Director for Criminology. Handle Budgeting and departmental policy and help with new program initiates.
• Sustainable Development Assistant: Guide policymakers in planning for effective sustainability strategies related to Criminal justice.
• Disability Support Network Coordinator Support and coordinate between people affected.
Non-profit Work
Pursue Passions through Not-for-Profits. Most organizations employ in various departments:
• Criminal Justice Professional: Many foundations and charity organizations utilize crime-related studies in organizational initiatives.
Social Policy and Human Services
Pursue public social policy interests:
• Probation or Parole: Work on crime policy and sentencing structures; or help to rehabilitate juvenile offenders.
• Crisis counseling: Deal with social psychological aspects linked to criminals who are rehabilitating after offenses.
*Social justice roles: Campaign for community based projects working for vulnerable communities, rights based advocacy efforts, criminal court systems advocacy, for various independent investigations groups**.
Table of Important Careers
| Category | Specific jobs |
|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | Police Officer |
| FBI Agent | |
| Corporate | Loss Prevention |
| Internal Audit Specialist | |
| Crisis Consulting | |
| **Academic or Research Roles | Criminology Teacher |
| Research Position | |
| Academic Administrative position |
The Road Ahead:
The list goes on but these opportunities give you ideas that are most probable if you graduated in Crininal Justive Degree: Involving aspects. With some dedication you take on multiple roles through years. Key aspects. Criminal Justice study has far reaches and, the work market has varied demands! We’ve summarized key occupations **in many sectors related to you degree; thus, start to seek!
