Individuals wanting to make a difference in society should look at degrees in criminal justice or law. Criminal justice is the system through which our government operates to deter crimes, penalize criminals, and protect the rights of those accused of crime. There are numerous career opportunities in the criminal justice field, ranging from dangerous undercover positions to thought-provoking positions in crime scene investigation.
There is an increasing need for individuals in criminal justice, especially for those in law enforcement. With the increase in prison and jail cells, rehabilitation centers, and transition houses, there is a demand for trained officers. Aside from policing, however, there is also a need to fill positions in forensics, investigation, and many others.
Courses in criminal justice will typically cover topics such as how the justice system operates, criminal justice laws, and criminal behavior and motives. However, depending on your area of expertise, you may need additional education in laboratory testing, evidence processing, weapon usage, and other defensive methods of training. Criminal justice careers usually require a bachelor’s degree in the corresponding field. However, there are a few that only require you to attend a vocational school for a few years or earn an associate’s degree.
Working as a lawyer or for lawyers gives you an opportunity to see the other side of the justice system. For those interested in this type of profession, you will learn the laws, rights, and procedures for taking, defending, and prosecuting those accused of crime in court. Lawyers are typically comprised of individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree, have attended 3 years of law school, and have passed a bar exam. Paralegals, on the other hand, usually only require a 2-year degree or certificate in order to work under the supervision of lawyers and attorneys.
Depending on an individuals’ career choice, they can earn anywhere from a little under $30,000 annually to over $60,000. Graduates in criminal justice and law have claimed their work to be exciting and rewarding no matter what their earnings were.
Find an online school that offers programs on Criminal Justice (CJ) and in Law:
- Concord Law School
- Iowa Central College Online
- LA College Online
- University of the Rockies
- Grantham University
- Indiana State University
- Indiana Wesleyan
- ITT Technical Institute
- Lincoln College of Technology
- Park University
- Penn State Online
- Portland State University
- Rasmussen College
- RETS College
- Roosevelt University
- Rowan University
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
- Thomas Edison State College
- Tiffin University
- University of Mary
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of the Southwest
