Obtaining a criminal justice degree opens the door to numerous career paths within this interdisciplinary field. You may choose to earn a bachelor’s or master’s in criminal justice to pursue law enforcement, forensic science, homeland security, or other fields. You can also opt to earn a doctoral degree in this field, which requires an extensive research dissertation.
Certificates and Associate degrees in criminal justice are designed for those who want to explore their interest in the field before committing to a four-year degree program. The shorter programs provide students with an overview of the field and offer practical skills for entry-level positions such as police officer, firefighter, and court clerk. PayScale reports that CJ certificate-holders earn an average annual salary of $48,000, while those with an associate degree earn an average of $49,000 a year.
Criminal justice graduates with associate degrees can advance into higher-level, more lucrative positions such as police officer and detective. They are in demand because of their familiarity with the system and their ability to quickly learn new job duties.
The criminal justice major is an excellent choice for those with a desire to make a difference in their communities. This interdisciplinary degree https://brescia.uwo.ca/undergraduate/criminal_justice.php will enable you to work with victims of crime, rehabilitate convicted offenders, and advocate for the rights of society’s most vulnerable members.
A criminology major will allow you to study the psychology behind criminal behavior. This can lead to a variety of careers such as a victim’s advocate, forensic psychologist, paralegal, and juvenile detention specialist.
As a criminology student, you will study topics such as crime patterns, criminological theory, and the psychology of criminals. You’ll also examine the relationship between criminality and social behavior, and you’ll gain an understanding of how to apply these theories in a variety of different settings.
This career can be a rewarding one for those with a keen eye for detail, and who enjoy working with people to prevent crime. The job duties of a criminology major include conducting research, writing reports, and creating profiles for specific criminals.
With a degree in this field, you can begin to work on your professional network and develop relationships with potential employers. You may even be able to find an internship with local police or other law enforcement agencies in your area.
There are many online colleges and universities that offer criminal justice courses, including the Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The benefits of studying online include the flexibility to schedule your classes at a time that suits you.
Online learners often have access to the same instructors and professors as their on-campus peers. Moreover, many programs are offered on multiple starting dates throughout the year. This enables learners to take their studies in a way that fits into their busy lives.
Some online colleges and universities offer concentrations in specific fields, such as cyber law or information security. These concentrations help you to tailor your degree plan to your academic and career goals, allowing you to maximize your education in these areas of expertise.