Jobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice

Jobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal JusticeJobs for a Bachelors Degree in Criminal JusticeOne of the most important factors involved withchoosing a college major is the potential for employment in a satisfying career when you finish school. If youre interested in learningabout crime and punishment, you might wonder what you cando with a degree in criminal justice. More than 3 million people in the U.S. have already made the choice to enter this field. The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice First, its important to understandthat criminologyand criminal justice degree programs are not the same thing. The two fields are related and they do overlap in someimportant ways, but theyreseparate concepts. Yourcareer goals shoulddetermine which you choose as your field of study. Criminology is the study of crime and its causes, costs, and consequences.Criminal justice is thesystem in which crime is detected and dealt with. In other words, criminology is the theory and c riminal justice is the practical application. A number ofjob optionsand career paths existfor those who seeka degree in criminal justice. Most arefoundin the public sector, either in law enforcement, the court system,or the corrections system. Law Enforcement CareerOptions A criminal justice degree is a great way to lay the foundation for a successful careerinlaw enforcement. Thisdegree can prepare graduates for work as police officers, detectives, investigators, or police dispatchers. Not all law enforcement careers requireacollege degree, but it can leise be very beneficial to earnone before you begina career. Someemployers additionallyrequire knowledge or experience in the natural sciences, such as biology and physics, at least in some positions. Aminor in science and a major in criminal justice or vice versa might be the ticket in ansicht cases. Criminal justice majors who are interested in other law enforcement work can look forward tocareers incrime scene investigation and forensic science. This can include jobs as a forensic science technician, a bloodstain pattern analyst, or a forensic ballistics expert. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the zentralwert pay for police officers and detectives was $61,600 in 2016, the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available. zentralwert means that half of those working in this field earned more than $61,600 and half earned less. More than 53,000 law enforcement jobs are expected to be added by 2026. Careers in the Court System The court system is where the innocence or guilt of an individual is decided and where punishment is determined. Itoffers a diverse field of jobs within criminal justice, all of which serve very important roles in ensuring the fairness andsafety of the legal system. Some careers in the courtsystem include BailiffProsecutorDefense attorneyVictims advocateParalegalLegal secretaryJury consultantCourt clerk The roles ofprosecutor, defense attorney, or jury consult ant all require advanced schooling, either a graduate degree or a law school and can require further certification like passing the bar. But other careers such asbailiff or paralegalrequire only some additional training and certification or a two-year associates degree. Pay varies considerably in the court system depending on the job and the education required. The median pay for a lawyer was $118,160 in 2016, while paralegals earned median compensation of $49,500, according to the BLS. Careers in Corrections The corrections system carries out the punishments that have been determined by the courts. Penalties and sentences can include fines, restitution, incarceration,probation, orparole. Some corrections careers available to criminal justice majors include positions as correctional officers, probation and community control officers, or forensic psychologists. Some jobs in corrections dont require any college at all whileothers,such as those inforensic psychology, require gradua te-level schooling. In eithercase, earning a criminal justice degreecan help those interested in working in corrections iftheywant to move up in their careers. This is another area where pay can vary widely. Jobs that require a graduate degree tend to pay at least twice what others do. The median pay for a psychologist was $75,230 in 2016, according to the BLS. The Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Careers The job outlook for most jobs in criminology and criminal justicehas historically been promising even in tough economic times. Communities recognize the need for well-trained law enforcement and corrections professionals, so many cities, counties, and municipalitiesmake it a point to keep officers on the streets and guarding the prisons even when theyre facing budgeting constraints. Law enforcement is always a priority. The courts alsoreceive a great deal of support from their communities, counties, and states,ensuring that jobs are available more often than not. The Rewards of Working in Criminal Justice Jobs Careers in criminal justice offer a measure of stability not found in allsectors. They typically offer competitive salaries andgenerous retirement benefits. These, of course, are just a few of the many benefits of earning a degree in criminal justice. And, of course, if working in the public sector is not for you, numerous private sector careers are available as well for those with degrees in criminal justice, from security and private investigation to teaching. Beyond the job security and the potential for a comfortable life after retirement, careers in criminal justice provide the intangible satisfaction of knowing that youre working to make a difference in the world. If these career options dont get you excited, learn more about other great jobs in criminology and criminal justice.