Criminal Justice

Many colleges and universities offer programs leading to degrees in criminal justice. Criminal justice is a broad field that encompasses all aspects of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. A graduate of a criminal justice school can establish a career in any of several related occupations, including paralegal, police officer, animal welfare investigator, probation officer, court administrator, and many others. Taking criminal justice courses at the undergraduate level is a good starting point for a student interested in becoming a lawyer in the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice Degree Description

Criminal justice schools usually have degree programs in criminal justice, but also offer degrees in more specialized fields such as law enforcement or forensics science. Criminal justice courses cover a broad spectrum of subjects necessary for running the criminal justice system. Among these courses are criminology, sociology, psychology, legal studies, treatment and rehabilitation of criminals, public administration, urban studies, international relations, computer science and others. Most careers in criminal justice require strong communications skills, effective writing ability and good organization skills. A person who wants to be a criminal lawyer needs three years of law school in addition to a bachelor’s degree and must pass the bar exam to be licensed to practice.

Criminal Justice Careers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects strong demand for workers in most criminal justice occupations in the next decade. This demand is driven in part by increasing societal pressure for criminal sentencing, by population growth, and by strengthened efforts to prevent terrorism.

People in criminal justice careers find employment at all levels of government and in private industry. The state and federal prison systems require corrections officers to work with prisoners, and more parole and probation officers to work with prisoners as they are released into the mainstream economy.

The court system offers many criminal justice related occupations. People who have finished criminal justice school find positions as court administrators, criminal defense lawyers, criminal prosecution lawyers, attorneys to handle civil disputes, paralegals, and judges. Corrections officers who have taken criminal justice courses work not only in prisons, but as court bailiffs who enforce court rules, see that proper legal procedures are followed, serve warrants, etc.

Police officers and forensics specialists are needed at every level of government and in the military. Almost all criminal justice positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher education, but there are some opportunities for holders of specialized certificates or associate’s degrees.