What Jobs Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
A degree in criminal justice can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in law enforcement, public safety, and social justice. If you’re passionate about making a difference and working to protect and serve your community, a career in criminal justice may be the perfect fit for you. In this article, we’ll explore the many jobs you can do with a criminal justice degree, from law enforcement and security to social work and non-profit management.
Law Enforcement and Security
Criminal justice graduates can find employment in law enforcement and security agencies, including:
- Police Officer: Enforce laws and maintain public safety as a police officer.
- Criminal Investigator: Investigate crimes and gather evidence as a criminal investigator.
- Federal Agent: Work for federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF as a special agent.
- Probation Officer: Supervise probationers and provide support and guidance as a probation officer.
- Security Specialist: Work in private security firms or corporate security as a security specialist.
| Law Enforcement and Security Jobs | Median Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Police Officer | $65,000 |
| Criminal Investigator | $70,000 |
| Federal Agent | $80,000 |
| Probation Officer | $60,000 |
| Security Specialist | $50,000 |
Social Work and Counseling
Criminal justice graduates can also find employment in social work and counseling fields, including:
- Counselor: Provide counseling and support services to individuals, families, or groups.
- Mental Health Worker: Work in mental health facilities, hospitals, or community agencies as a mental health worker.
- Social Worker: Provide social services to individuals, families, or communities as a social worker.
- Victim Advocate: Support and assist victims of crime as a victim advocate.
Court and Legal Systems
A criminal justice degree can also lead to careers in court and legal systems, including:
- Judge’s Clerk: Assist judges with administrative tasks and legal research as a judge’s clerk.
- Paralegal: Provide legal support services to attorneys and lawyers as a paralegal.
- Court Administrator: Manage the daily operations of a court as a court administrator.
- Legal Assistant: Assist attorneys and lawyers with legal documents and research as a legal assistant.
Non-Profit and Government Agencies
Criminal justice graduates can also find employment in non-profit and government agencies, including:
- Crime Prevention Specialist: Work to prevent crime and promote public safety as a crime prevention specialist.
- Community Programs Coordinator: Develop and coordinate community programs and services as a community programs coordinator.
- Public Policy Analyst: Analyze and develop policies related to criminal justice as a public policy analyst.
Research and Academia
A criminal justice degree can also lead to careers in research and academia, including:
- Criminal Justice Researcher: Conduct research and analyze data related to criminal justice issues as a criminal justice researcher.
- Professor/Criminal Justice: Teach and conduct research in a university setting as a professor/criminal justice.
- Policy Analyst: Analyze and develop policies related to criminal justice as a policy analyst.
Conclusion
A degree in criminal justice can lead to a wide range of career opportunities across various fields. From law enforcement and security to social work and non-profit management, there are many careers available to those with a passion for making a difference. Whether you’re interested in working directly with crime victims, conducting research on criminal justice issues, or developing policies to promote public safety, a criminal justice degree can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
