Degree in Criminal Justice

What to do with a Degree in Criminal Justice

If you have a degree in criminal justice, you are not alone, more than 3 million people in the U.S. have already had one and have made the choice to enter this field, thus here’s a guide on what to do with a degree in criminal justice.

What’s the Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice?

Note, that criminology and criminal justice degree programs are not the same things. These two fields are linked and they do overlap in some important ways, but they are different concepts. Thus your career should be the determining factor on which you choose as your field of study.

Criminology

Criminology is the study of crime and it’s causes, costs, as well as consequences. Criminology is the theory while criminal justice is the practical application.

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice, on the other hand, is the system in which crime is detected and dealt with.

Rewards of Working in Criminal Justice Jobs

With criminal justice, you have career stability that is not common in all sectors and benefits. Here they are;

• Generous retirement benefits
• Competitive salaries
• It offers the intangible satisfaction of knowing that you are working to make a difference in the world.

Here are a number of job options and career paths that exist for those who want a degree in criminal justice.

Careers in Court System

The court is a system where the innocence or guilt of an individual is decided and punishment served where necessary. It offers a diverse field of jobs within criminal justice, all of which serve very essential roles in making sure there are fairness and safety in the legal system. Some careers in the court system are as follows;

• Bailiff
• Prosecutor
• Defense attorney
• Victim’s advocate
• Paralegal
• Legal secretary
• Jury consultant
• Court clerk.

Before one can assume the role of a prosecutor, defense attorney, or jury consultant, advanced schooling is required. This can be either a graduate degree or a law school and can even require certification like passing the bar. Another career like bailiff or paralegal needs only some additional training and certification or a two-year associate’s degree.

The pay differs considerably when it comes to the court system based on the job and the education needed. The median pay for a lawyer was $118.160 in 2016, while that of paralegals stood $49,500, according to the BLS.

Careers in Corrections

The corrections system is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out the punishments that have been determined by the courts. Penalties and sentences can come if the form of fines, restitution, incarceration, probation, or parole.

Some of the corrections career available to criminal justice majors include positions as correctional officers, probation as well as community control officers, or forensic psychologists.

On the other hand, some jobs in corrections do not need any college at all while others, like those in forensic psychology, need graduate-level schooling. In either case, earning a criminal justice degree can assist those who are interested in working in corrections if they want to move up in their careers.

The pay in this sector also varies widely. Jobs that need a graduate degree most likely pay at least twice what others do. The median pay for a psychologist stood at $75,230 in 2016, according to the BLS.

Law Enforcement Career Options

A degree in criminal justice can prep graduates to work as police officers, detectives, investigators, or police dispatchers. Note also, that not all law enforcement careers need a college degree, even though it can still be very beneficial to earn one before you start a career.

Some employers are known to require additional knowledge or experience in the natural sciences, like biology and physics, at least in some positions. A minor in science and a major in criminal justice or the reverse might be the pass in these cases.

Those who major in criminal justice and are interested in other law enforcement work can look forward to careers in crime scene investigation and forensic science. They are; jobs as a forensic science technician, a bloodstain pattern analyst, or a forensic ballistics expert.

The median pay for police officers and detectives according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics was $61,600 in 2016, the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available.

What the Future for Criminal Justice Careers

Jobs in criminology and criminal justice has historically been very promising even in tough economic times.

Communities have over the years recognized the need for well-trained law enforcement and corrections professionals, so many cities, counties, and municipalities thus ensure they keep officers on the streets and guarding the prisons even when facing budgeting constraints.

Thus law enforcement has become a priority. This is why law enforcement jobs are in demand at all times.

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2SWb2Yw