Criminal Justice Degree & Career Guide
What Is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is the study of all aspects of the justice system, including policy, law, and corrections. You can pursue a bachelor’s, a master’s, and even a doctoral degree in criminal justice. Earning a degree in criminal justice can lead to a career where you focus on serving others in your community.
Criminal justice careers may delve into the theory and psychology behind criminal behavior and reform. Many criminal justice programs offer the option to specialize in specific areas. Common specialties within a bachelor’s in criminal justice program include criminology, forensic science, homeland security, and cybercrime.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice
Many graduates who earn a criminal justice degree pursue careers in rehabilitation and counseling, as well. You could also become a youth correctional counselor or a victim’s advocate with additional training.
If you want to become a detective or an FBI agent, you’ll most likely need to earn a bachelor’s in criminal justice. Additionally, those who earn a master’s degree may find the path from police officer to detective much quicker.
Most criminal justice programs cover criminal law and criminal procedures, which could require memorizing important information. You may also need to complete a capstone project or research-based paper to graduate, which can be challenging.
Earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice can provide a strong foundation for graduate-level coursework. If you’re interested in pursuing education past an undergraduate degree, you could go to law school and become a lawyer. You could also pursue a doctoral degree in psychology and become a forensic psychologist.
Other criminal justice careers that offer high salaries include attorneys, FBI agents, criminologists, and financial examiners. These jobs require at least a bachelor’s in criminal justice degree.
BS in criminal justice programs tend to have more science-based coursework. This could be a better option if you are interested in forensics or psychology. In contrast, a BA in criminal justice program typically offers a more liberal-arts-based approach, which may be a better option if you struggle with science coursework.
Criminal Justice
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by Kathleen Curtis (Previously Katy McWhirter)
Updated May 10, 2024
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