Accelerate Your Career in Criminal Justice

Areas of responsibility in the criminal justice field can be divided into four major interrelated categories: law, law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections. A wide range and large number of career opportunities are available in all four of these divisions. Many are found at various levels of government, but for those who prefer to work outside of government and law enforcement agencies, the private sector offers numerous opportunities for private investigators, security guards, bounty hunters, and many other jobs.

Most criminal justice positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify for employment. In general, the more advanced the degree, and the more specific to the task that degree is, the greater the range of career and employment options that become available. Many colleges offer a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree, which includes courses in political science, sociology and psychology in addition to subjects related to criminal justice. These programs usually include information and techniques used in every criminal justice specialty, and provide the student with an excellent introduction and a strong background in the field.

A wide range of career opportunities are available in all four major divisions of the criminal justice field, including:

Law
The practice of law involves lawyers, paralegals and others who research and interpret laws, statutes and regulations in the defense, prosecution or judgment of alleged offenders.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement covers such varied territory as crime prevention, control, and investigation, and includes occupations such as police officer, sheriff, crime scene investigator (CSI) and other forensics technicians and experts. This branch can also cover federal and international concerns, such as those managed by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Judicial System
The judicial system exists to interpret and apply laws, and to administer justice. The court system and its personnel are the focal points of this branch of criminal justice. Occupations such as bailiff, court clerk and court reporter all fall under the jurisdiction of the judicial system.

Corrections
Corrections involves the management of convicted offenders, including their imprisonment, rehabilitation, probation and parole. Occupations in corrections can include correctional officer and probation officer, among others.