A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice provides the fundamental basis for those who wish to pursue careers in government work, criminal or social law, and law enforcement.
This degree can also be used as a stepping stone to an advanced degree, such as a Master’s in Criminal Justice or a Master’s in Public Administration. Most 4-year colleges and universities offer at least a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, and many offer advanced degrees at the Master’s and Doctorate levels as well. Two-year colleges may offer an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.
What you'll learn
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration is to provide students with a strong foundation in criminal justice principles, concepts and theories, as well as a practice orientation to criminal justice administration. The degree offers a global perspective, as well as specific concentration areas of criminal justice services delivery. Students will receive core instruction in criminal justice as it is represented in the domains of police, courts and corrections, and then advance to concentrations related to specific areas of criminal justice within those domains.The BS/CJA Management concentration is designed to give learners a depth of understanding concerning the management and administrative skills necessary to effectively run organizations in the various domains of criminal justice system. The courses included in this degree concentration focus primarily on the management and administration skill sets associated with the police, the courts, and with corrections. The theories and principles behind criminal justice are also examined. Students learn about policies, procedures associated with management functions, as well as many administrative practices and factors impacting criminal justice agency operations. This will not only give students the insight into what these specific departments are and what they do, but how to maintain and evaluate organizational operations from an administrative viewpoint.
A career as a police officer is one of many you can have with a criminal justice degree.
Career options for those who earn a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice are diverse, but all deal with crime and society. Degrees in this field are not just for those who want to be police officers, as the coursework prepares students to work with all involved in the criminal justice system.
1. Police Officer
o According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), police officers who have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice earn higher salaries than those who do not, as state and local agencies encourage higher education. not including the significant amounts of overtime officers generally work. Police work is a dangerous occupation that can cause high amounts of stress and has one of the highest job-related injury rates.
Probation Officer
o Probation officers, also called community supervision officers, supervise individuals sentenced to probation in lieu of jail. These professionals perform many of the same functions as case managers, as they work with offenders one-on-one to help them develop a plan to prevent repeat offenses. A probation officer may work with community agencies if the offender requires essential services, such as a rehabilitation program. Probation officers also spend a lot of time in the court system, as they are responsible for creating pre-sentence reports, attending hearings, reviewing and recommending sentences and testifying in court.
Private Detective.
- Requiring a state-issued license, private detectives generally have a college degree in criminal justice and experience in investigative work, according to the BLS. These professionals work for private individuals, businesses and lawyers to find and analyze facts regarding financial, personal or legal matters. Private investigators may also offer bodyguard services, run pre-employment verification and background checks for businesses or put together background profiles on individuals. Cases a private detective may investigate include illegal downloading, identity theft, computer crimes, harassment claims, insurance fraud, missing persons, premarital screenings and child custody cases. Most private detectives work irregular hours.
Those with a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice and training as a paralegal are attractive job candidates for firms that specialize in criminal justice, according to the BLS. Paralegals help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, meetings and closing court cases. They investigate facts relating to a case, research relevant laws and judicial decisions, analyze information, prepare reports and legal arguments, as well as assist lawyers during a trial. A paralegal may assume many of the responsibilities of a lawyer, except when a duty falls within the scope of a legal practice, such as presenting cases during court or providing legal advice.
Probation Officer
Probation officers serve the public to ensure that individuals who are sentenced to probation meet the terms of their sentences and do not commit crimes or behave in any way that could lead them to commit crimes. To work as a probation officer, you generally must possess a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies employ probation officers.Police Officer
The majority of students who complete a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice seek to work as police officers. Many larger cities now require all new officers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Jobs range from local and state law enforcement personnel to federal law enforcement officers. Most graduates land jobs as patrol officers with local police departments or county sheriff’s offices. Some find work as federal officers. Jobs at the federal level include border agents, postal service investigators, customs agents and U.S. Marshall agents.FBI Police
The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains its own police force. These officers provide law enforcement protection for FBI agents and protect FBI facilities. The FBI requires a four-year degree in criminal justice when FBI police applicants do not possess at least two years of work experience. Candidates can submit resumes or apply online. Each candidate must pass a written test and panel interview. Candidates also must pass an FBI background investigation and medical exam.Forestry Service Special Agents
The United States Forestry Service employs special agents who lead criminal investigations into potential violations of criminal and administrative provisions of the Forest Service and other statutes. These agents can make arrests and present cases for federal prosecution. Forestry agents work relatively independently within their jurisdictions. Generally, they work in rural areas and work alone but in consultation with other local, state and federal law enforcement personnel. The job requires a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Law enforcement experience can be substituted for the required degree.The importance of a career in public service is emphasized in the closing phrase of our nation's pledge of allegiance: "with liberty and justice for all." Our country was built on those words, and professionals in the field of criminal justice uphold that commitment to "justice for all" every day. Earning a bachelor's in criminal justice degree is an important first step for anyone who is looking to pursue a career in this field.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree program have the technical abilities and the educational breadth to meet the demands of dynamic careers in this field. Our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree program faculty members have extensive professional experience in the field and a vast network of contacts. The members of the full-time faculty are among the leaders in their discipline, having worked in Criminal Justice fields and pursued scholarly endeavors. Guest lecturers and associate faculty include practicing attorneys, judges, government officials, and forensic scientists.
A bachelor's in criminal justice degree will prepare you for a career in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in law enforcement, security management, and public and private investigation, or an advanced academic degree from law school or Criminal Justice and Social Work graduate programs. This is achieved through building a whole professional—one who will "hit the ground running" the day of graduation and overcome the personal and professional challenges that lie ahead.
Students pursuing a bachelor's in criminal justice degree are encouraged to participate in a professional internship or cooperative education experience in a variety of local, state, federal, or private security agencies, which provide practical experiences that complement their academic studies.
