What is a Criminal Justice Degree Good For?
A criminal justice degree is a field of study that prepares individuals for various careers related to the Criminal Justice System, including Law Enforcement, Courts, Probation, Parole, and Rehabilitation. If you’re considering a career in criminal justice, you’re probably wondering what a degree in this field can get you. In this article, we’ll explore what a criminal justice degree can lead to, and where the job market is demanding such skills.
Preparation for Law Enforcement Career
Criminal justice degrees can prepare you for a career in law enforcement, such as a:
• Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, or Probationary Police Officer.
Criminal justice majors learn various skills, including:
o Police Procedures: Handling of suspects, searches and seizures, arrests, etc.
o Criminology: Understanding causes and effects of crime and its prevention.
o Corrections: Knowledge about imprisonment, probation, parole, and rehabilitation.
Here are some stats to underscore the importance of law enforcement professionals:
- In 2020, there were approximately 714,855 sworn law enforcement officers, including 627,617 local police, 95,456 sheriffs/officers, and 30,732 federal officers.
Jobs Beyond Law Enforcement
While law enforcement is a crucial aspect, criminal justice degrees can prepare you for careers beyond uniformed service, such as:
• Court Clerk, Probate Officer, Probation Officer, Paralegal, Legal Examiner, Mediator
These careers often require familiarity with the Criminal Justice System, its procedures, laws, and policies.
Additionally, private sector businesses, like insurance companies and private investigation agencies, recognize the value of criminal justice expertise, hiring professionals like:
• Risk Consultant
• Security and Investigations Manager
Types of Careers Available
Check out this table to better understand the breadth of occupations within the criminal justice career landscape:
| Employer Type | Career Titles |
|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Probationary Officer, Investigator |
| Courts | Court Clerk, Probate Officer, Paralegal, Legal Examiner |
| Probation and Correctional Services | Probation Officer, Parole Officer, Rehabilitation Counselor |
| Private Industry | Risk Consultant, Security and Investigations Manager |
What Are the Growth Opportunities?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020):
• Sheriffs, Peace Officers: Projected 4,600 job growth (17.9%) from 2020 to 2030.
• Employment, Recreation, Art, and Travel Inspectors: Projected 9,000 job growth (17.6%) from 2020 to 2030.
• Private detectives and Investigators: Projected 31,500 job growth (20.8%) from 2020 to 2030.
Real-Life Applications and Skills Gain
Criminal justice program students typically:
• Master critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Develop strong observation, interviewing, and public speaking skills
• Recognize and understand the sociological, psychological, and economic factors that contribute to criminal behavior
• Research, analyze, and analyze evidence
• Develop crisis management and response strategies
• Gain a comprehensive perspective on the US Constitution and criminal laws
Capstone Project Experience
An added value to a Criminal Justice degree is the unique capstone project experience: a culmination of theoretical learnings, internship, job shadowing, or in-field experiences, allowing for a direct application and application of the skills: policy development, research-driven presentations, community engagement project proposals, and more, ensuring graduates transition seamlessly into professional roles, while making informed decisions or addressing the demands of professionals.
Employment Expectations and Average Salaries
Keep in mind average salaries can vary depending on the position, location, experience, and employer organization:
• Police/Firefighters/Corporals: Average salary starts around $40-60K/year
• Court/Court Security/Clerk: Median salary starts around $40-50K/year
• Probation/Corrections: Medial salary starts around $50-60K/year
• Administrative Support/Patient Data Specialist: Average salary start around $30K/year
• Case Management: Average salary starting around $40,000/year
• Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counseling: Average salaries ranging $40k-$70K/year, depending on specialization and credential
In conclusion, studying Criminal Justice prepares you not only for careers in the field of Law Enforcement but also provides a diversified set of skills and versatile applications, expanding job scopes to other related fields while creating pathways to growth-driven industries.
Take a sneak peek into your future – get equipped for a role in criminal justice, either directly within law enforcement organizations or supporting institutions, understanding that criminal justice professionals and services contribute significantly to safer communities.
Explore the multitude of possibilities today! What’s stopping you from creating your future as a pivotal force in criminal justice careers beyond law enforcement?
