Careers in criminal justice can be found at the federal, state, county and local levels, apart from the private sector. If you are passionate about protecting the law, then attending a law school or obtaining an online criminal justice degree may be right for you.
What Is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is referred to by law enforcement agencies as a term to apprehend criminals responsible for violating law and order.The main aim of this system is to identify crimes and the criminals deemed to be behind them. It is within this system that the criminals are detained, tried and subsequently punished for breaking the law.
How to Become a Crime Specialist?
Choosing the right major is a critical first step on the path of becoming an efficient crime specialist. This is because the field of criminal justice is so diverse that educational requirements can change dramatically from one stream to another.
For becoming a police officer, for example, an associate degree is enough. In fact, in some states all you need is a high school diploma. Conversely, if you want to pursue a career in forensic science, you will need to obtain both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree.
Criminal Justice Careers Requiring a High School Degree
Surprisingly, even a high school diploma can be enough to follow several career paths in criminal justice.These include, police dispatcher, correction officer or a loss prevention specialist.
While police academies are gradually pressing for an applicant to complete at least two years of college, the same is not a prerequisite for many.
Criminal Justice Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree
Many states prefer a minimum of two years in college for a candidate to don a police uniform. Other criminal justice careers that make an associate degree a must are in the fields of crime scene investigation and juvenile justice officer.
Criminal Justice Postings Requiring a Bachelor’s Degreecriminal Justice Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree
Law enforcement agencies at all levels from federal to local actively recruit only those professionals that have completed a four year bachelor degree course. Federal law enforcement agencies may even ask for a candidate to obtain a master’s degree.
The choice of posts range from police officers, probation officers, special agents and community control personnel. Earning a bachelor’s degree is also a good idea for furthering education down the road.
Criminal Justice Jobs for Master’s Degree Holders
Lots of exciting career options await those who have obtained a master’s degree. Apart from positions in criminal justice and law enforcement agencies, master degree holders can become criminal justice professors, researchers, advisors, criminologists or criminal profiler.
Federal Law Enforcement agencies like the FBI, CIA, etc also recruit only those who have a master’s degree in the relevant field of study. Earning a master’s in forensics, physcology, computer science, engineering or accounting will land you top positions in many law enforcement and criminal justice departments.
If You Have a Doctorate Degree?
A doctorate in your specifically chosen career path, like a Phd in psychology, can land you a job as a forensic psychologist. Similarly if you want to become a forensic anthropologist or odontologist then you would want to earn a degree in the field directly relevant to the discipline.How Can I Become a Criminal Justice Specialist?
