Guide to Criminal Justice Degrees
The industry of criminal justice offers a wide array of career opportunities for a variety of different individuals interested in helping to uphold the law and order of our society. With so many different options, there are consequently many different kinds of degrees and types of education that can help you begin to takes steps towards working as a professional in the field of criminal justice.
Because of the constant growth within the field of criminal justice, employment rates and the demand for job titles has continued to surge, even in light of what has been a long suffering economy and job market. With so many hopefuls working to get their foot in the door, a criminal justice degree is an essential tool in allowing you to fully develop yourself as a knowledgeable and marketable professional.
In the realm of criminal justice degrees, there is not one degree that is necessarily better than the other. It all depends on what it is that you want you want to learn about and what path in the industry that you want to embark upon. Best of all, the majority of these degrees are all available for you to pursue online, affording you the convenience and flexibility of pursuing your education while balancing it with the other very important parts of your life.
In this branch of Intelicus, you’ll be able to learn more about the different degrees, specializations, and education levels that are available for those looking to pursue a career in criminal justice.
The three most common degrees awarded are an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Bachelors of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) degree.
Associates in Criminal Justice Degree
An associate’s degree in criminal justice is the fastest degree to earn and therefore the fastest one to get you into the work force. Some entry-level positions accept this degree as satisfaction of the requirement. Many jobs require a higher degree for which to qualify, but if you just want to jump in and check out the field, then the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice will be just the thing. An AAS degree generally requires only 45 credits in your program area and 15 credits in general education courses. The AAS degree typically takes 2 years to complete. After graduating, you will be able to find a job in the criminal justice field. And if you decide after graduation that you wish to pursue a higher degree, you can return to school and work towards a BS in criminal justice.
Bachelors in Criminal Justice Degree
A criminal justice Bachelor of Science degree is a traditional four-year degree. It is a more in-depth study program in the field of law enforcement, crime control policies or the court system. Most Bachelors in Criminal Justice require about 180 credits, at least 90 of which are in the program of study and 90 are in general education.
A BS degree is the minimum requirement for positions in larger metropolitan, state and federal law enforcement agencies. It also opens the doors to many positions in private crime investigation and prevention.
Masters in Criminal Justice Degree
A Masters in Criminal justice is an advanced degree with a focus in a particular specialty. The typical areas of more in-depth study offered in MS programs include social work, corrections and administration. An individual will often return to school to earn an MS in criminal justice when they desire to move into the fields of social work or to serve as an officer of the court. Extended study into criminal justice may provide students a broader view of some of the specialty branches, but most of the curriculum is in a specific area.
Criminal Justice Degree Specialties
Generally, all levels of criminal justice degrees offer the ability to couple a specialty with the degree. Some of the specialties offered include forensics, law, corrections and homeland security. These specialties are aimed at giving the degree holder a more focused program of study in a particular aspect of the criminal justice field. Students who specialize are better prepared to fill positions in their chosen area of training.
Students that desire to work in specific positions upon graduation can enhance their chances of being hired by taking more courses in their area of interest. Crime Scene Investigator, Forensics and Corrections are all areas that are available to focus on.
There are also opportunities to enhance your training in areas of private security work by taking courses in loss prevention, public safety and legal studies. These extra areas of study will also give the individual a well-rounded appreciation for the criminal justice system as a whole.
Many students pursuing criminal justice degrees will take the opportunity to participate in a work-study program while they are getting their degree. In this way, they can gain useful experience in the criminal justice field and help to determine which job to choose within the upon graduation. Work-study programs are often organized as internships with an agency of law enforcement. The gained experience on the job will make the time in classes have a greater relevance to post-graduation employment. Below are some of the many different Criminal Justice Degree Specializations. Click on the program for more information.
Choosing the Right Criminal Justice Degree for You
Below is a listing of our free criminal justice degree resource guides to help you choose the right program.
- Online Criminology Degree Programs Guide
How a degree in Criminal Justice can help advance your career}
Criminal Justice Bachelors Degree Guide
Should I Get My Criminal Justice Degree Online?
Criminal Justice Online Degree Programs Resource Guide
Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs: How to Choose the Right One
Criminal Justice Degree Majors: What Criminal Justice Major Should You Pick?
Guide to Criminal Justice Degrees
Is Online Learning Right for You?
Choosing a School
Traditional Institutions Online
Diploma Mills
Education vs. Diploma
The Value of Your Education
The Benefits of an Online Education
What to Look for When Choosing Your Program
Why Get Your Degree in Criminal Justice
For professionals in criminal justice, this degree clears pathways to new opportunities and higher positions in the field. The advantages of obtaining criminal justice degree include the following:
- Gives professionals the qualifications necessary to move into administrative and executive positions
- Offers a track to higher pay and prestige
- Provides advanced study for those pursuing counseling and rehabilitation careers
- Opens the door to advancement in specialized fields such as fraud, juvenile crime and private security
- Helps law students develop a better understanding of the criminal justice system
- Opens opportunities in public and private sectors
Criminal Justice Degree Career & Salary Resources
Criminal Justice Degree Accreditation
Many well-known colleges and universities offer degree programs in criminal justice. For specialized and online schools you’re unsure of, you can consult a number of regional accrediting organizations to ensure the institution’s accreditation is valid:
CHEA: Council for Higher Education Accreditation
www.chea.org
NCA: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
www.ncacasi.org
NEASC: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
www.neasc.org
SACSCOC: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
www.sacscoc.org
WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
www.wascweb.org
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
www.nwccu.org
Criminal Justice Professional Organizations
Many organizations have been established to support professionals in the field of criminal justice. They provide a means for those in the field to share their skills and knowledge and to network and find career opportunities in a variety of specialty fields. The following are among the organizations in criminal justice:
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
www.theiacp.org
American Association of Probation and Parole Officers (NAPPO)
www.appa-net.org
Federal Criminal Investigators Association
www.fedcia.org
International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts
www.ialeia.org
International Police Association—U.S.
www.ipa-usa.org