The popularity of criminal justice degrees can be associated with two factors – law enforcement agencies now require college credits as a qualification for most positions and second, some of the fastest growing careers in the coming years are in criminal justice. Thanks to this, the popularity of criminal justice programs has seen a significant rise in recent years.Criminal justice programs are designed to give students the knowledge of the inner workings of courts, law enforcement agencies and corrections institutes. These programs enable students to develop careers in fields such as crime scene investigation, forensics, legal system and legal education, etc.
Featured Programs and Schools
The following will give you the detailed information on the most popular criminal justice degrees, their levels, enrollment requirements and career outlook.
Top Criminal Justice Programs
If you want to pursue a career in the field of criminal justice, you have the option of enrolling in a wide variety of non-degree and degree-based programs ranging from certificates to masters to doctorates. Further information on degree levels is discussed later as well.
|
Concentration |
Description | Minimum Degree Required | Common Coursework |
|
Computer Forensics |
Prepares students to identify and prevent phishing scams, digital schemes, theft and fraud. | Bachelor’s Degree – Though Master’s and Doctoral degrees are common | Computer Forensics, Digital Forensics, Networking Concepts |
|
Corrections |
Prepares students for work as correctional officers or prison guards | Associate Degree – Bachelor and Graduate Degrees are also common | Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems, Introduction to Criminal Law, Theories of Crime Causation, Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Theory, Issues in Corrections |
|
Counterterrorism |
Prepares students to identify potential threats of terrorism at home and abroad | Bachelor’s Degree or higher | Foundations of Terrorism, Fundamentals of Intelligence, Biological, Chemical and Nuclear Weapons, Psychology of Violence, Threat Assessment |
|
Crime Scene Technician Certificate |
Prepares students to identify and collect evidence from crime scenes | Certificate | Crime Scene Investigation, Homeland Security, Forensic Chemistry |
|
Criminal Investigations |
Prepares student to collect, record and analyze evidence | Associate Degree | Evidence, Forensics, Clues, Crime Scenes, The Criminal Mind |
|
Criminal Justice Administration |
Prepares students to take up administrative positions in law enforcement agencies, such as prisons and courts Prepares students to understand the criminal mind, human behavior relevant to criminal activity and social influences on crime |
Bachelor of Science or a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice | Probation and Parole, Police and Community Relations, Judicial Process, Legal Issues |
|
Criminal Psychology |
Prepares students to understand the criminal mind, human behavior relevant to criminal activity and social influences on crime | Associate, Bachelor’s or graduate degree | Judicial Process, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Behavior Management, Psychology of Criminal Behavior |
|
Criminal Psychology |
Prepares students to understand the criminal mind, human behavior relevant to criminal activity and social influences on crime | Associate, Bachelor’s or graduate degree | Judicial Process, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Behavior Management, Psychology of Criminal Behavior |
|
Cyber Security |
Prepares students to protect sensitive information, secure computer networks and prevent cyber incidents | Bachelor’s Degree or higher | Linux System Administration, Network Security, Fundamentals of Computer Troubleshooting |
|
Emergency Management |
Prepares students to plan for disasters such as disease, terrorism and hurricanes, pollution, etc. | Bachelor’s Degree or above | International Disasters, Risk Perception Awareness, Natural Hazards |
|
Forensic Psychology |
Prepares students to apply psychology to criminal cases | Doctoral Degree | Intersection of Law, Psychology and Crime, Understanding Violence, Psychology Research |
|
Homeland Security |
Prepares students with knowledge of border security, intelligence and emergency management | Bachelor’s Degree or higher | Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Security, Legal and Ethical Issues |
|
Public Administration |
Prepares students to work in advocacy and government agencies | Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral Degree | Research Methods, Introduction to Public Policy Analysis, Human Resources in the Nonprofit and Public Sectors |
|
Legal Studies |
Prepares students to become legal assistants or paralegals | Associate, Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Legal Studies | Advanced Litigation, Legal Project Management, Trial Practice, Intellectual Property |
Levels of Criminal Justice Degrees
Before you enter into a program, it is very important to decide what career you want and which path will take you there. Deciding on a major is one aspect; the other is determining what degree level will take you to your chosen career.
|
Degree Level |
Description | Careers | Median Salary (2016) |
|
Certificate in Criminal Justice |
The most basic educational qualification awarded | Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers Corrections Officers Security Guards |
$59,680 $42,820 $25,770 |
|
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice |
This degree usually focuses on providing foundational knowledge on law enforcement, court systems and crime control policies | Paralegal Transit and Railroad Police Police Patrol Officer |
$49,500 $66,610 $59,680 |
|
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice |
This is the minimum requirement for most criminal justice careers | Private Detectives Criminal Investigators Fish and Game Wardens |
$48,190 $78,120 $51,730 |
|
Master’s in Criminal Justice |
This is the minimum requirement for most criminal justice careers | Social Workers Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors |
$53,760 $41,070 $59,590 |
|
Doctorate in Criminal Justice |
This degree is meant for those who already have a master’s degree | Law Teachers Judges and Magistrates |
$111,210 $125,880 |
Note: All salary data has been taken from O*NET OnLine
Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worth It?
Before you make a decision about stepping into this field, you need to be sure of the worth of a criminal justice degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, many entry level jobs in this sector will be available through 2024. Most criminal justice careers will require college credits or at least a minimum of an associate degree.
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