Last Updated on December 28, 2022
There are many criminal justice degree benefits that you don’t get without a degree. While specific income and career opportunities may vary based on your location, a criminal justice degree is worth the cost when you take measures to work in your field before and after you complete the program.
Find all the practical and valuable information about how hard is it to get a bachelor degree in criminal justice, criminal justice degree is a waste, the value of a criminal justice degree & what jobs can you get with a criminal justice degree.
You will also find up-to-date, recent information on is criminal justice a good major, what jobs can you get with a criminal justice degree on Collegelearners.
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How Hard Is Getting A Criminal Justice Degree
Today’s criminal justice degree is a direct stepping-stone to a wide field of excellent and often quite noble and exciting career opportunities. As with all degree considerations, however, it is very common and even beneficial to consider the question of difficulty associated with earning a degree in criminal justice. How difficult is it, and what all does it entail? Here is the basic rundown of this great degree option today.
Criminal justice careers have never been more in demand or more diverse than they are right now. Today’s criminal justice professionals work in various specialities from investigations and security to law enforcement, forensics, and technology. As with most professions, knowledge is key, but believe it or not, earning a degree and working in the criminal justice field is not as tough as it may seem. While academic programs and on-the-job training are rigorous and necessary, they’re doable, not difficult.
Required Courses and Subject Matter
Another great way to help gauge difficulty in a degree is by taking a closer look at some of its required coursework. A long list of what seems to be the subject matter of personal difficulty may be best avoided in those seeking to limit overall degree difficulty. The following are some of the telling course requirements found along this degree path. To learn more about each class and its specific parameters in a particular school, it is best to look up that class within the school’s course list and consult its detailed description therein.
- Criminology
- Policing in America
- Criminal Justice Ethics
- American Corrections
- The Prosecution Process
- Victimology
- Security Administration
- Alternatives to Incarceration
- Border Security
- Juvenile Justice
Assistive Resources
Finally, for those considering how to handle difficulty in this degree program should it be encountered, there are a number of great resources students should always stay abreast of. While many of these assistive resources can be found directly within the school being attended, some also exist on the outside. Here is a shortlist of the various assistive resource points to consider.
- On-Campus Student Advising Office
- On-Campus Academic Support Centers
- On-Campus Library
- Saylor Online Free Academy
- Study Guide Zone
- Khan Academy
- US Department of Education
Criminal Justice Jobs
Criminal justice jobs are demanding, but the rewards of serving your fellow citizens are unparalleled.
Check out these rewarding criminal justice jobs.
As a criminal justice major, you have the unique opportunity to get a job as a real-life equivalent of the mythical superheroes and crime-fighting good guys that populate plenty of Hollywood blockbusters. But in the real world, criminal justice careers can also offer you a certain sense of job security—after all, justice always needs to be served. Monster rounded up 10 great criminal justice jobs using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.com. Cape and boots not required.
Corrections Manager
What you’d do: Corrections managers supervise employees at a prison or other correctional facility. This mid-level role requires working with supervisors as well as supporting staffers, in addition to dealing directly with inmates in the facility. Corrections managers are responsible for ensuring frontline security and safety for workers and inmates, and overall administration.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience is generally a minimum expectation.
What you’d make: $44,400 per year
Find corrections manager jobs on Monster.
Crime Scene Investigator
What you’d do: In this position, you would aid police and detectives in their investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence from crime scenes.
What you’d need: Many crime scene investigators are police officers, but your bachelor’s degree—preferably with some science background—should be sufficient to get a job.
What you’d make: $46,053 per year
Find crime scene investigator jobs on Monster.
Emergency Management Coordinator
What you’d do: In this role, you would prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies as well as lead the response during and after. Most emergency management coordinators work for state or local governments, but you can also find jobs at hospitals and nonprofit organizations.
What you’d need: This mid-to-senior level role will require you to have multiple years of experience in emergency response, disaster planning, or public administration.
What you’d make: $55,245 per year
Find emergency management jobs on Monster.
FBI Agent
What you’d do: A job at the FBI is perhaps the pinnacle of criminal justice jobs. FBI agents’ roles include investigating federal crimes, organized crime, and cybercrime, as well as combating terrorism. Agents can be stationed in the U.S. or overseas.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice—with at least a 3.0 GPA—plus three years of relevant work experience are only the first steps for the rigorous process of becoming an FBI agent. Candidates must also be at least 23 years old, and will face tough interviews, background checks, personality profiles, and physical standards.
What you’d make: $64,629 per year
Find FBI jobs on Monster.
Forensic Accountant
What you’d do: Essentially financial detectives, forensic accountants sift through account records, calculate assets, assemble timelines of financial activity and gather evidence of possible wrongdoing to assist in legal cases like bankruptcies, embezzlement, insurance claims and fraud.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree with a strong focus in accounting is required. Most employers also expect applicants to be Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
What you’d make: $70,500 per year
Find forensic accountant jobs on Monster.
Forensic Psychologist
What you’d do: Forensic psychologists’ evaluations can be used by courts to consider factors such as a suspect’s mental competency for trial or risk of committing additional crimes if released from custody. Their work and observations also can come into play in civil cases or on broader issues about mental health issues in relation to the court system.
What you’d need: Your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice would need to be supplemented with a master’s in psychology for this role.
What you’d make: $79,010 per year
Find forensic psychologist jobs on Monster.
Paralegal
What you’d do: As a paralegal, you would support lawyers by maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research and drafting documents.
What you’d need: Although not always required, a certificate in paralegal studies can supplement your bachelor’s degree. Check out this sample resume for a paralegal.
What you’d make: $50,940 per year
Find paralegal jobs on Monster.
Police Officer
What you’d do: Police officers patrol and respond to incidents as needed while seeking to keep the peace on the streets. It’s a challenging job that combines the need for soft skills, hard physicality and life-or-death decisions, but the rewards—including camaraderie and knowing you’re serving your community—are ample.
What you’d need: Educational requirements vary, but a college degree is usually enough. U.S. citizenship is required, and candidates generally must be at least 21; after that come physical and personal qualifications and then training in a police academy. Check out this sample resume for a police officer.
What you’d make: $63,380 per year
Find police officer jobs on Monster.
Private Investigator
What you’d do: Private investigators look into whatever issues their clients bring to them—for example, running informal background checks or searching for missing persons. Their work can involve personal, financial or legal matters.
What you’d need: There generally are no formal education requirements beyond a high school diploma; usually the emphasis is on work experience, including in law enforcement or the military. Nearly all states require licensing.
What you’d make: $50,090 per year
Find private investigator jobs on Monster.
Social Worker
What you’d do: A career in social services could mean helping poor families with money, child or food assistance, conducting drug abuse prevention programs, or counselling incarcerated minors.
What you’d need: In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you’ll want to get some work experience under your belt, perhaps through a volunteer program or internship. Although not required for entry into social work, some employers prefer candidates who also hold a master’s degree. Check out this sample resume for a social worker.
What you’d make: $49,470 per year
Find social worker jobs on Monster.
Get To Work
A criminal justice degree can take your career in any number of directions, but in order to actually get hired, you need to be visible. Want some help attracting hiring managers? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to different types of criminal justice jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Let Monster help you kick-start an awesome career.
criminal justice degree is a waste
Is a Criminal Justice Degree a Waste of Time? Answer: No, especially if you have aspirations to work within the criminal justice field, have a good credit history and a clean criminal record. You may find taking a criminal justice program imprudent: … if your credit sucks (collections, judgements, bankruptcies).
value of a criminal justice degree
The Importance of the Criminal Justice System and Today’s Professionals
In the current climate, there are many questions surrounding our criminal justice system. Some people have questioned the multiple roles that are played by our officers in blue. Some have defended the badge and others have called for reform and sweeping overhauls to city funding. No matter your political views, one thing is clear: The U.S. criminal justice system plays a big part in our society. Keeping communities safe should be the number one priority. If you want to help make your community a safer place, you may be considering a career in law enforcement or criminal justice.
At its core, there are three main components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Each of these branches must run properly to maintain law and order within a society. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we have educated, honest, and quality professionals working in these sectors. In this article, we will highlight the importance of the criminal justice system and all the professionals who are dedicated to standing up for justice.
Why is the Criminal Justice System Important?
The criminal justice system is designed to deliver “justice for all.” This means protecting the innocent, convicting criminals, and providing a fair justice process to help keep order across the country. In other words, it keeps our citizens safe. Without the criminal justice system, and all those who work within it, there might be havoc, violence, theft, and danger all around. But because of criminal justice professionals – those in law enforcement, corrections, and courts – we can trust that we can travel home, to work, and/or out in public, safely and securely.
Importance of Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officers are brave men and women that work to investigate crimes, gather and protect evidence, and respond to reports of various crimes. Officers are considered first responders. On a daily given basis, they respond to emergency calls, patrol assigned areas, conduct traffic stops, issue citations, and more. Police officers need to be fit – both physically and mentally – for their work. Officers may need to restrain suspects and even chase them on foot. They also need to be prepared to see victims of violent crimes or fatal car accidents.
There is certainly a lot of stress involved in the work of law enforcement, and safety is always a big concern. But while it is a high-risk job, it is also one that offers plenty of rewards. Successful police officers often feel pride in protecting their community. They are well respected and are often considered role models for young children in a town or city. They also earn a decent living. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers earned a median annual salary of $65,170 in 2019 – not including overtime.
Importance of Corrections
Correctional officers often face the same mix of stress and reward as those in law enforcement. The officers who patrol correctional institutions (i.e. prisons and jails) protect and guard the inmates and staff on-site. They work hard to maintain order and often need to restrain prisoners who get out of line. The role of the correctional officers is important, not only in keeping criminals confined within prison walls but in rehabilitating those who have committed crimes.
Importance of Court Professionals
The judicial branch of the court – and all the people within it – play an important role in keeping order across the United States. The court professionals, from judges to bailiffs, are responsible for understanding criminal cases, divulging the truth behind them, and deciding what should be done to correct it. Their goal is to provide a peaceful jurisdiction, to determine whether a person committed a crime and, if so, how they should be reprimanded.
Pursuing an Important Career with the Criminal Justice System
If you would like to pursue a career in criminal justice, you may be wondering where to start. While some of the jobs in the criminal justice system do not require much more than a high school diploma or equivalent, there are many benefits to earning a degree in criminal justice before beginning your career.
Studies show that officers who pursue an education are more effective at their job. According to a paper published in Police Quarterly back in 2010, police officers with a higher level of education are significantly less likely to use force during a civilian encounter than those with a high school-level education.
There are plenty of fields open to someone looking to start a career in criminal justice. Some of these career options include:
- Border protection
- Computer security
- Corrections
- Customs
- Cybercrime investigation
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- And more
Goodwin University has three programs that focus on the criminal justice system, and you can take your pick between pursuing these programs at the associate degree or bachelor’s degree level. You may choose between:
- Criminal Justice (Associate Degree)
- Public Safety and Security (Bachelor’s Degree)
There is no questioning the importance of the criminal justice system. It plays a crucial role in keeping our streets safe and our communities protected. It is also clear that the U.S. needs well-educated professionals to fill this important role. The only question left is: Which path will you pursue?
