Criminal Justice Careers Are on the Rise
Over the next decade, opportunities for criminal justice careers are expected to grow steadily according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also points out that as time passes, the population will increase and society will become more security-conscious. This will be a contributing factor to the demand for individuals to enter into criminal justice careers. In fact, a trend report from indeed.com showed job growth in the fast-paced criminal justice field has nearly doubled in the past two years.
If you’re interested in pursuing one of the many rewarding criminal justice careers available today, a degree will add to your qualifications and help open the door for you to advance. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help lead you down the path to work for any one of these law enforcement branches:
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Education Is Becoming a Must for Criminal Justice Careers
Regardless of which branch of the criminal justice system you want to enter into, you need as many advantages (experience, education) as possible in order to advance. A college degree can help you edge out the competition. For example, normally, if two officers were eligible for a promotion, both with similar experiences, there’s a greater chance for the degree-holding officer to be advanced. This scenario emphasizes how important an education can be in regard to criminal justice careers.
If you are concerned with how you can fit classes around your busy schedule – universities offering online criminal justice degree programs may be the way to go. When it comes to choosing which online educational institution you want to earn your criminal justice degree from, you need to do your research. A few deciding factors to look at are:
- Available degrees
- Accreditation
- Accolades
These criteria are listed in this order to help narrow down which institutions to look at first. World-renowned and regionally accredited Florida Tech offers both an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice 100% online. An added benefit to pursuing your education online with Florida Tech is that you can login to your classes on your own schedule, wherever you have Internet access.
Why look any further when Florida Tech has everything students interested in criminal justice careers – or for that matter, many other careers – could ask for in an institute of higher learning? It’s no wonder why Florida Tech continues to rank among America’s best universities in U.S. News & World Report, along with Duke, Penn State, University of Michigan, University of Texas and UCLA.
Criminal Justice Salary Information
Careers in criminal justice may require a two– or four-year degree depending on the specific job and employer. As with many career fields, salaries tend to be higher for college graduates compared with those for workers without an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Let’s look at national salary data for a variety of potential career paths for professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice:
| Average Annual Salary By Job | |
|---|---|
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $64,490 |
| Correctional Officer/Jailer | $47,600 |
| Paralegal | $53,910 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $71,280 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $83,320 |
| Probation Officer | $56,630 |
| First-Line Supervisor, Police and Detective | $91,590 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $55,080 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner and Investigator | $66,340 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Updated: May 2017
Salary potential and employment opportunities for candidates with a criminal justice degree are based on factors such as specialty, demand, employer, geographic area and experience. Educational qualifications can also determine career advancement opportunities, with supervisory and management positions often calling for a BA in Criminal Justice.
Criminal Justice Careers at the Federal Level
In addition to opportunities with police departments, correctional facilities and other local and state agencies, criminal justice degree holders may seek careers at the federal level, including:
- FBI Special Agents: investigate violations of federal laws.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agents: enforce laws associated with drug trafficking.
- Deputy U.S. Marshals: provide security for the federal court system and apprehend fugitives.
Other career paths within Homeland Security include
Border Patrol Agent, Customs and Border Protection Officer, Homeland Security Investigations Criminal Investigator, Secret Service Officer and Transportation Security Officer.
| Salary Range By Job | |
|---|---|
| FBI Special Agents | $49,907-$64,397 |
| DEA Special Agents | $40,634 –$58,477 |
| Deputy U.S. Marshals | $40,634 -$51,389 |
| U.S. Secret Service Officers | $40,634-$58,477 |
Note: Potential salaries vary according to geographic location, among other factors.
Sources: FBI; U.S. Department of Justice; Secret Service; and Customs and Border Protection. (Salary data retrieved October 2018)
For candidates with the relevant educational qualifications and training, the field of criminal justice can offer a diversity of rewarding opportunities and the potential for career advancement.