Criminal Justice Can Prepare You for a Career in Law Enforcement

Over the last decade, most of us have become increasingly concerned about our personal safety and the security not only of our physical property but also our identities and electronically stored assets. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have increased their payrolls, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the hiring trend in criminal justice will continue through 2016.
Current economic conditions have required belt-tightening everywhere, but public safety and protection is usually not subject to the type of job cuts that the private sector occasionally experiences. So, if you are considering a career in law enforcement, you might want to begin with a criminal justice online degree program.

Opportunities in Criminal Justice

An online degree program allows you to continue in your present employment while you upgrade your skills or prepare for a new career. Depending on whether you are working toward a certificate, or Associate of Applied Science, bachelor's, or master's degree some employment possibilities include: police officer, sheriff, detective, crime scene investigator, bailiff, warden, probation and parole officers, border patrol, airport control, and customs, FBI, and Secret Service agents. There are also opportunities in industrial and private security and in law.

Criminal Justice Career Requirements

In addition to a criminal justice degree program, each career specialty has its own set of requirements. For most positions you must be physically and mentally fit, able to pass a security screening, and willing to attend academy training.

Who's Hiring Criminal Justice Majors?

According to the BLS, approximately 861,000 people are employed as police and detectives, with almost 90,000 new hires over the next eight years. Competition is highest for federal and state positions, in part because there are fewer of them. Approximately 79 percent of positions are with local agencies.

Salaries in Criminal Justice

Work within the criminal justice system is stressful if not dangerous. Pay is determined by a combination of education, training, performance and seniority. The BLS reports that the median wage for criminal justice employees was $49,730, in 2006, the most recent year for criminal justice data.
Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Lorraine Watkins is a freelance business writer and marketing consultant. She is a graduate of California State University, East Bay with an MA in English.