Federal Criminal Justice System (applicable nationwide and includes federal bodies)
Where the former is concerned with addressing crimes committed within a particular state, the latter deals with crimes committed on federal property or in multiple states.
To further your studies in the area of criminal justice and subsequently pursue a relevant career, it is imperative to acquire formal training and education. Since Criminal Justice is such a diverse and broad field, there are many study options that you can choose from. Before finalizing which academic program to take up, you need to decide what professional position you wish to pursue. The choice of the program will essentially depend upon your career objectives.
- A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice normally requires 120 credits.
- You would need to complete some general education courses.
- General education courses include English, computer science, mathematics, literature, and natural science.
- You would also need to complete requirements for core courses and core electives.
- Core requirements include courses such as principles of criminal justice, criminal law, and sociological methods.
- Core electives include development psychology, social psychology, individual and society, and crime and delinquency.
- You may also take related courses to further specialize in areas such as psychology, computer science, and sociology.
Criminal Justice jobs tend to be related to one of the three main areas that make up the criminal justice system. Each area is essential to the effective functioning of the system.
Law Enforcement. This is mainly concerned with investigating crimes, gathering and preserving evidence, arresting offenders, testifying in courts, and following up on investigations.
Courts: The purpose of courts is to oversee trials, determine whether the accused is guilty or not, pass sentences, and ensure that the law is being followed.
Corrections: This area deals with overseeing convicted offenders in prisons, jails, or on probation or parole. It also focuses on enforcing laws within jails or prisons and ensuring that any facility that houses offenders remains safe and secure.
Graduates with a degree in criminal justice or a related concentration may look for many different opportunities within these fields. To give you a better idea as to the type of jobs that exist in the field of criminal justice, we’ve listed down five jobs that have been identified as ‘”5 of the best paying criminal justice careers” by US News:
Attorneys: These professionals are responsible for representing individuals, businesses, and governments in legal issues and cases. They may work as prosecutors or defense attorneys. Prosecutors work for the government and take action against those who break the law. Defense attorneys on the other hand represent the accused individuals or businesses.
Median Pay (): $113,530 (BLS)
Criminologists : They try to understand why people break the law. Criminologists work in collaboration with other criminal justice professionals and provide valuable insights into criminal behavior. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), criminology is a sub-category within the field of sociology.
Median Pay (): $74,960 (BLS)
Forensic Psychologists : The main responsibility of forensic psychologists is to examine and analyze the psychological aspects of different cases, and act as expert witness in trials.
Median Pay (): $69,280 (BLS)
Police Detectives : They are required to interview suspects, gather relevant evidence, investigate criminals, and testify in courts. Police detectives are therefore responsible for the protection of lives and properties.
Median Pay (): $56,980 (BLS)
FBI Agent : These are law enforcement officers who primarily deal with federal laws. Their work revolves around issues such as anti-terrorism activities and dealing with heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping, drug-trafficking and fraud. All those applying for an FBI Agent position have to qualify under any of the five distinct Special Agent Entry Programs. These include Accounting, Computer Science/Information Technology, Language, Law and Diversified. Under the last category, a BA or BS degree is accepted in any area, but the candidate has to have three years of work experience at full-time positions.
Annual Pay (): $61,100 and $69,900 (FBI)
*figures for new Special Agents freshly assigned to Field offices at GS-10, step 1
According to the figures reported by BLS and US News, these jobs will experience positive growth over the next decade. After all, as long as there are instances of crime in the society, there will be a demand for these professionals.
In addition to the above mentioned careers, there are many other opportunities that you can explore. You may look for a position in the public or private sector and academics, as well as research.^
Depending upon the profession you decide to take up, you may choose from various levels of study including associates, bachelors, masters as well as a doctorate. The exact duration of the degree will depend upon your enrolment status and the route you decide to take; such as accelerated coursework or self-paced programs.
There will be variations in the curriculum depending on the level and school that you enroll in. However, in most of the criminal justice programs, you’ll find courses such as:
- Introduction to law, policing, and corrections in America
- Security and police administration
- Ethics in criminal justice
- Courts, Society, and Criminal procedure
- Social Psychology
- Corrections: Concepts, Systems, and Issues
- Crime and Delinquency
Most of the programs will allow you to opt for some elective modules and tailor your coursework according to your interests and career objectives. You may also find programs that focus on a particular area within criminal justice, including policing, criminal law, homeland security, and corrections.
Admission requirements may vary depending upon the level and school that you want to enroll in. In most of the universities, you’ll be required to complete an online application form. Before you apply, you need to make sure that you fulfill all the prerequisites. For instance, in order to apply for a Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree program, you should hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and submit all official documents such as transcripts, and certificates. Some universities may also require you to submit standardized test scores and pay an application fee.
It is recommended that you apply well in advance before the deadlines. Some schools do not have fixed application deadlines and allow students to submit their applications on a rolling basis. To find the exact information regarding the right time to apply, you should visit the admissions page of your prospective school’s website.
If you are planning on pursuing a career related to Criminal Justice, keep the following points in mind.
- Choose criminal justice as a college major related to crime, legal developments, law enforcement, and controversial matters.