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Criminal Justice Career Areas

What can I do with this degree?

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
Social Services
Corrections
Counseling
Juvenile Justice
Casework
Administration
Probations & Parole
Victim Advocacy
  • State and federal correction facilities
  • County jails
  • Precinct station houses
  • Prison camps
  • Youth correction facilities
  • Medium-security correction facilities
  • Voluntary correction facilities
  • Halfway houses and pre-release programs
  • Reintegration programs
  • Alternative schools
  • Juvenile detention centers
  • Juvenile group homes
  • Women's and family shelters
  • Domestic violence agencies
  • Immigration and naturalization services
  • Other nonprofit organizations
  • Seek courses or training in topics such as victimology, social problems, diversity issues, or grieving.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in psychology, sociology, or social work.
  • Gain experience working with a juvenile population in any capacity (i.e., sports teams, summer camp counselor, parks and recreation programs, and community/religious youth groups).
  • Gain related experience in employment interviewing, social casework, substance abuse, and rehabilitation.
  • Learn to work well with people of diverse backgrounds. Consider learning a second language.
  • Maintain a blemish-free driving and criminal record. Gain firearms and self-defense training.
  • Earn a master's degree in social work or counseling for therapy positions.
  • Obtain a masters degree in criminal justice or business for upper-level positions in facilities management or administration.
JUDICIARY AND LAW
Court Reporting
Legal Assistance
Legal Research
Administration
  • Local, state, and federal courts
  • Law firms
  • Corporate legal departments
  • Public interest law organizations
  • Consider a double major or minor in the social sciences such as psychology, anthropology, sociology, or political science.
  • Attend a postsecondary vocational or technical college that offers court reporting or paralegal certification programs.
  • Obtain a law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
  • Learn to use software packages such as CD-ROM research databases.
  • Develop strong research, computer, and writing skills.
  • Maintain a high grade point average to gain admittance to law school.
  • Participate in mock trial groups.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Patrolling
Investigating
Forensics
Probation
Security		 City/County Government Organizations including:
-Police departments
-Correction facilities
-County sheriff departments
-Liquor Control Commission

State Government Organizations including:
-State troopers
-Crime labs
-Penitentiaries

Federal Government Organizations including:
-U.S. Customs and Border Protection
-Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
-Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
-Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
-Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
-Department of Homeland Security
-Postal Service
-Federal Marshals
-Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
-United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
-National Parks Service

Crime laboratories

Colleges and universities
  • Obtain related training or certifications such as CPR, first aid, or EMT.
  • Complete a formal police academy program upon graduation.
  • Maintain a healthy and physically fit lifestyle.
  • Volunteer to work in a police department or campus safety department.
  • Complete an internship in a crime laboratory to gain experience in the forensic application of science.
  • Obtain a double major in criminal justice and a hard science (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) if interested in a career in forensics.
  • Consider earning a master's degree in Forensic Science or related discipline.
  • Become familiar with the government application process.
  • Learn a second language.
BUSINESS
Private Security
Consulting
Investigating
Systems Integration
Global Intelligence
Private Investigation
Internet Security
Loss and Prevention
  • Insurance companies
  • Banks
  • Private security companies
  • Software companies
  • Hotels and resorts
  • Health care facilities
  • Transportation services
  • Nuclear power plants
  • Manufacturers
  • Online companies
  • Other large corporations
  • Minor in business or computer science.
  • Seek practicum/internship experiences that include training in the hardware and software of security systems.
  • Maintain good physical fitness.
  • Develop exceptional written and oral communication skills.
  • Seek leadership opportunities and develop strong interpersonal skills.
  • Attend firearm safety courses. Obtain first aid and CPR certification.
  • Gain military experience and training.
  • Earn a graduate degree in business or law for upperlevel positions.
EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
  • Colleges and universities
  • Adult education providers
  • Public and private high schools
  • Earn a graduate degree for post-secondary teaching opportunities.
  • Get a teaching certificate for elementary or secondary education. Gain a dual certification for increased opportunities
  • Serve as a tutor to other students.
  • Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Assist a professor with research.
  • Take additional coursework related to research and statistics.

General Information

  • Many criminal justice professions require candidates to possess strong oral and written communication skills and good computer skills. The ability to speak a second language is also desirable.
  • Develop good listening skills and the ability to work well with a wide range of diverse populations.
  • Most entry-level positions for criminal justice majors reside with law enforcement and social service organizations.
  • Be willing to start in an entry-level job in order to prepare for more advanced career opportunities.
  • Obtain experience through volunteer, practicum, or internship opportunities.
  • Supplement program of study with courses in business, psychology, anthropology, or sociology. Course work related to the hard sciences (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) is preferred for career opportunities in forensics.
  • Depending upon one's career goals, earn a master's degree in disciplines such as criminal justice, forensic science, social work, counseling, or business to obtain positions involving therapy, higher levels of administration, forensics, or research. Earn the doctorate degree for university teaching positions.
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest to learn more about opportunities.

 

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