Free Search - Find the Right Schools Now!

Secure Rights Policy

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "criminal justice" as: "The system of law enforcement, the bar, the judiciary, corrections, and probation that is directly involved in the apprehension, prosecution, defense, sentencing, incarceration, and supervision of those suspected of or charged with criminal offenses." This description covers a wide ground, providing any number of opportunities for careers and jobs in the field of criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Degrees
Most criminal justice positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the appropriate subject to qualify for employment. Some entry-level positions can be obtained with a certificate or an Associate's degree, but in general, the more advanced the degree, and the more specific to the task that degree is, the greater the range of career and employment options that become available.

A large number of colleges offer a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree. Study for this general degree includes political science, sociology and psychology in addition to subjects related to criminal justice. These programs usually include information and techniques which are used in every criminal justice specialty. The also provide one with a deep introduction to the field. These programs and degrees are entirely appropriate for anyone planning a career in criminal justice at any level of government, for instance, and is valuable as well for anyone wishing to find employment in this field in the private sector.

Choice of schools is critically important when pursuing a degree in criminal justice, one its specialties, or in any field. Be certain to investigate and compare the curricula of several schools that offer degrees in criminal justice before deciding which one is best for your specific needs. Make sure you choose a school that offers the course of study and the degree which will further your career goals.

Degree Programs and Careers in Law & Criminal Justice
The major areas of responsibility in the criminal justice field can be separated into four categories. These four major divisions are interrelated, however, and the functions overlap in places. A wide range and number of career opportunities are available in all four of these major divisions.

Law
The practice of law involves people such as lawyers, paralegals and judges, who apply laws, statutes and regulations in the defense, prosecution or judgment of alleged offenders.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is a wide-ranging discipline which includes such varied areas as crime prevention, control and investigation, such as forensics. Game wardens are also considered law enforcement officers. This function also includes international concerns, like those which the Department of Homeland Security manages at the federal level.

The Judicial System
The central task of the judicial system is to interpret and apply laws lies, and to administer justice. The court system is the focal point of this branch of criminal justice.

Corrections
Corrections involves the management of convicted offenders, including their imprisonment, rehabilitation, probation and parole.

Criminal justice employment opportunities exist in all four major divisions and at every level of government, from local to state to federal. Numerous opportunities ranging from private investigator to security guard to bounty hunter are also available in the private sector, for those who prefer to work outside of government and law enforcement agencies.

Employment prospects in this field are expected to be excellent during the next few years. The U.S. Department of Labor, for instance, forecasts that by the year 2010 there will be at least a 29 percent increase in demand for trained personnel in the roles of police officer, forensic specialist, corrections officer and Department of Homeland Security employee, among many other criminal justice-related jobs and positions.

Financial Outlook for Careers in Law & Criminal Justice
Salaries for positions in all divisions of the criminal justice system depend on several factors and can vary widely, regardless of whether they are in the legal system, law enforcement, judicial or correctional fields.

Compensation in the law enforcement sector, for instance, is usually dependent upon rank and pay grade. Homicide investigators and detectives command a higher salary than uniformed police officers, to cite just one example. In general, federal law enforcement agents will command a higher salary than municipal employees, such as police officers, or county officers, such as sheriffs.

The private sector historically pays higher salaries than do most government agencies. The private sector also has an additional advantage: personal enterprise can raise earnings higher than the upper limits placed on salaries by government pay scales. Defense lawyers and private investigators can set their own fees, for example, while public servants such as public defenders, Assistant District Attorneys, and police investigators are subject to pay scale policies of their rank and their local government.