Advertisements
Considering a degree in criminal justice opens up diverse career opportunities within government agencies at all levels and even in the legal field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates in this field can earn anywhere from $52,000 to $126,000 annually, depending on their chosen profession.
Before diving into the world of online criminal justice programs, it’s essential to compare schools and consider your career prospects post-graduation. While these fields are interconnected, each prepares you for a distinct career path. Here’s an overview of some related disciplines:
1. Criminal Justice
A degree in criminal justice equips you with knowledge about the criminal justice system, encompassing law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. It hones critical thinking, tactfulness, management, and organizational skills. Graduates can explore various career options, including becoming FBI agents, private investigators, crime scene investigators, or probation officers.
2. Correctional Degree
If you believe in the potential for criminals to reform, a correctional degree may be ideal. It prepares you for roles within correctional institutions, emphasizing public safety and conflict resolution training.
3. Crime Scene Investigator
Popularized by TV shows like CSI, this profession involves investigating crime scenes. Candidates need to be analytical, systematic, and methodical, with coursework covering ethics, psychology, criminal justice, and scientific subjects.
4. Emergency Management
For those interested in assisting during disasters like tornadoes and wildfires, an emergency management degree is valuable. It opens doors to roles within organizations like the Department of Homeland Security or the Red Cross.
Advertisements
5. Homeland Security
This degree focuses on detecting, mitigating, and controlling national security concerns.
6. Criminology and Social Policy
This program delves into the intersections of criminology and public interest, with a focus on stigmatization and the dynamics of justice institutions.
7. Criminology and Criminal Psychology
Explore the interdisciplinary field of criminology and criminal psychology, gaining specialized knowledge and skills online.
8. Global Criminology
A one-year Master’s program that addresses both local and international criminal issues, laws, and control methods.
9. Cybercrime
The increasing threats of cybercrime demand skilled cybercrime detectives. This program trains you to tackle these challenges.
10. Neurocriminology of Aggressive Behavior
An advanced program focusing on understanding and addressing aggressive behavior from a neuro criminological perspective.
11. Criminological Research
Learn about the reasons and consequences of crime, juvenile delinquency, and more, with a focus on politics and socioeconomic divisions.
12. Security Analyst
Explore security concepts, including military, strategic, and political factors, while building a strong foundation in criminal justice, terrorism, and intelligence.
13. Advanced Research in Criminology
A two-year program specializing in border post, protection, and social equity, is offered by four European universities.
14. Security and Risk Management
Learn to identify security risks and develop mitigation strategies in this program.
15. Criminal Justice and Criminology
This degree combines theoretical, research-based, and practice-based approaches to prepare you for various roles within the criminal justice system.
16. Criminal Justice Technology
Focused on developing the skills needed for entry into the criminal justice profession, this program paves the way for careers in police departments, prisons, security companies, and more.
17. Technician in Forensic Science
Ideal for those who enjoy working on different cases, forensic science technicians analyze crime scenes and provide crucial evidence.
18. Private Investigator
Modern private investigators use technology for data analysis, background checks, surveillance, and digital investigations, making it an exciting career for critical thinkers.
19. Computer Forensics Investigators
Specialized in working with computers, these investigators analyze digital data relevant to criminal investigations.
20. Fraud Investigation
Fraud investigators scrutinize data to determine the legitimacy of fraud claims, making it a high-tech field given the prevalence of online fraud.
21. Blood Spatter Analyst
Analyzing blood from crime scenes to reconstruct events, blood spatter analysts need both technical expertise and the ability to work in challenging conditions.
Conclusion
In summary, a degree in criminology prepares you for a multitude of challenges in the field. These programs offer ongoing reviews developed by industry experts to equip you for success in crime-fighting roles.