America is among the countries with the highest incarceration and crime rates in the world. Its best chance at reducing crime and increasing public safety is through engaging leaders with innovative solutions.
If you are passionate about:
- Actively improving the community where you live.
- Helping victims of crime get justice
- Helping to reform and improve the justice system
- Reducing repeat offenders and rehabilitating criminals.
Then you might find a career in criminal justice very fulfilling. This bachelor’s degree will help you understand the justice system better. It will help you gain critical thinking and analytical skills needed to deal with the Social and ethical implications of a criminal career, in addition to learning modern technologies that can help control and prevent crime.
Who will benefit from a criminal justice degree?
If you’re interested in serving your community while securing a well-paying job, then a career in criminal justice can be very rewarding. These are some of the well-suited candidates for a degree in criminal justice:
Post-military career seekers
Changing careers is never easy and especially for those choosing to transition from military service to a civilian career. A criminal justice degree can lead to a natural transition in a career that helps veterans continue to serve their countries while making use of their previously acquired skills.
Current criminal justice professionals
The requirements for civil service education are ever-evolving; professionals currently looking to advance their careers will find a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice beneficial. They stand higher chances at landing supervisory or management roles and a salary increase. If they are looking to change their jobs; Intelligence or national security are viable prospects.
Possible job opportunities for criminal justice degree holders
A bachelor’s in criminal justice offers a wide range of extremely flexible career options. Here are a few:
- Crime Scene Investigator
Commonly referred to as a CSI, his main job is to collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes that will help investigate crimes. They go beforehand to determine how evidence will be collected, take photographs, record observations, and make sketches.
They are at times called criminalists, and their duties range from laboratory analysis to criminal investigation. They work hand-in-hand with detectives, lawyers, and police officers to provide enough information for reports and testifying in court.
- Police officer
Police officers are responsible for protecting property and lives and are usually the first responders at a crime scene. After a police officer has earned experience in the field, he may transition to a special you need, such as SWAT, or become a crime Investigator.
- Detective
A detective is a professional information gatherer who is usually in charge of investigating legal, financial, and personal matters. They carry out surveillance, collect evidence, conduct interviews, and are natural crime solvers.
- Parole or probation officer
Offenders have a difficult time integrating into their community. The path to becoming productive and trustworthy members of society is not easy. The duty of a parole officer is to assist an offender in custody find rehabilitation, whereas a probation officer supervises an offender on probation, not in prison. A prerequisite to getting a job in this field is a degree in criminal justice.
- Border patrol agent
A border patrol agent maintains security on the borders. His main job is investigating people, common carriers, and merchandise going from one state to another or between countries. They are responsible for enforcing customs, regulations, and immigration laws.
Proper knowledge in law, government regulation, legal codes, and public safety procedures learned through a degree in criminal justice can help kick start a career in border patrol.
A degree in criminal justice can be used in addition to other qualifications to help propel other professionals higher in the career ladder. Individuals such as cybersecurity analysts, lawyers, paralegals, and those in homeland security can benefit. If you are looking to study criminal justice but are time-strapped due to other responsibilities such as a job or family, you can choose to enroll in a criminal justice degree online. It is flexible and well-suited for those with hectic schedules. The instructors are easily accessible, unlike in a traditional classroom setup. Ensure the college is accredited, sign up for the course, and you will be well on your way to criminal justice degree holder.
