Is your dream is to protect and serve? Then perhaps studying to get a criminal justice bachelor’s degree is the right track for you. But exactly what can you do with a criminal justice degree?
We’ll look at that as well as what exactly is a criminal justice degree below.
What Is a Criminal Justice Degree?
Criminal justice degrees include a wide range of majors related to the law. The criminal justice discipline encompasses the three primary branches of the constitution such as law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
You can work in those 3 areas and more with a criminal justice degree. Let’s take a closer look…
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
So let’s get into it. What are the job offerings that you can get by pursuing a criminal justice degree? Well, the first and most common job offerings you can get are in law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Jobs
Normally, when we hear the words “law enforcement” we think of the police force. However, the field is much more than just police work. Law enforcement involves the people as well as public agencies on all levels of government.
This field is about enforcing the law, maintaining public order and safety, and even responding to emergencies. Whether they be man-made or natural. Jobs offered in a law enforcement field includes the following.
- Police officer
- Drug Enforcement Administration agent (DEA)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agent (ATF)
- Deputy Marshal
- FBI agent
- Secret Service agent
Forensics and Investigations Jobs
When we hear forensics and investigations what comes to our minds are detectives and crime scene cases. Well, that is pretty much accurate.
The forensic and investigations field is about how to apply science to cases of civil and criminal law. It involves collecting and analyzing evidence. Then seeing how it fits on the crime scene. Jobs offered in investigations and forensics field include:
- Private detective
- Crime scene investigator
- Criminologist
- Forensic artists
- Digital forensic analyst
- Background screening analyst
Corrections Jobs
Now, we move on to the next field of criminal justice which is corrections. Corrections are usually about punishment, supervision, and rehabilitation of people who have been accused or convicted of a crime.
Job offerings in a corrections field often focus on institutional correction facilities which are jails, prisons, and the like, as well as community corrections services which include parole and probation departments. Jobs offered in corrections fields include:
- Correctional officer
- Probation officer
- Parole officer
- Corrections facilities supervisor
- Corrections treatment specialist
Homeland Security Jobs
Homeland security mainly focuses on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, aviation security, border security, port security, maritime security, administration, and enforcement of our immigration laws.
It is all about the security of the nation from serious threats. Homeland security also includes the protection of national leaders, protection of critical infrastructure, response to disasters, and detection of and protection against chemical, biological and nuclear threats to the homeland. Jobs offered in homeland security include:
- Border patrol agent
- Customs and Border Patrol officer
- Transportation security officer
- Deportation officer
- Federal Air Marshal
- CIA agent
Judiciary Services Jobs
The judiciary services field includes services that ensure that the courtrooms and larger court systems run efficiently and in order. It includes reporting and transcribing legal proceedings, maintaining court dockets, sending out summonses, and overseeing the jurors. Jobs included in this field are:
- Court reporter
- Bailiff
- Court administrator
