Contents
This degree guidebook serves aspiring and current criminal department of justice students by surveying the respective criminal justice degree levels, concentrations, benefits, and career paths available in this discipline.
Featured Online Programs
research program formats, transfer requirements, fiscal help packages, and more by contacting the schools below .
What Is a Degree in Criminal Justice?
criminal justice programs support students passionate about department of justice and populace service by helping them to become competent, intimate professionals who protect and serve their communities. Certificates typically serve students seeking basic education, which does not demand a formidable investing of clock time and money.
many certificate graduates obtain entry-level positions and work their direction up the ladder by accumulating experience and education as needed. Entry-level careers in CJ include court clerk, fire and police starter, and parking enforcement officeholder. Associate degrees serve a similarly introductory purpose. CJ consociate programs cost more and take longer, but they enable transmit to CJ knight bachelor ’ sulfur programs. Bachelor ’ sulfur degrees in criminal judge meet educational requirements for CJ careers, such as correctional treatment specialist and probation officeholder.
Some academically inclined CJ students pursue master ’ randomness or doctoral degrees, which support careers in research, forensic psychology, and postsecondary teach. Postsecondary CJ teachers earn a median annual wage of $ 72,390, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) .
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees
Learners can study condemnable judge at many levels, from undergraduate certificate to doctorate. Graduates of undergraduate certificate and associate degree programs normally qualify for entry-level criminal justice positions. According to PayScale, CJ certificate-holders earn an average of $ 48,000 per year, while consociate degree graduates earn an modal $ 49,000 annually. Students seeking higher pay up rates often use these programs as a foundation for knight bachelor ’ s academic degree programs. Depending on degree specialization, CJ bachelor ’ s degrees meet or exceed educational requirements for most CJ careers. Bachelor ’ sulfur graduates make about $ 54,000 annually, according to PayScale. Students who earn calibrate degrees stand the best chance of qualifying for leadership positions and earning higher salaries. See below for descriptions of CJ program levels, timetables, course of study, and career paths .