Find Job Security in Law & Criminal Justice Careers

The broader legal and criminal justice system is full of careers that speak to a wide range of interests and strengths. If you're a quantitative, analytical person, consider working as a cyber-crime specialist or cryptographer. Lawyers, on the other hand, must have strong writing and communication skills. Police officers and detectives often employ outside-the-box thinking. Forensic technicians must rely on all of the above. However, before you can become any of these, you must first determine which law and criminal justice degree program is best suited for your career goals.

Which Law & Criminal Justice Degree Program to Choose

Each one of the careers mentioned has a different set of educational requirements:

• Paralegals, bailiffs, forensic scientists, and court reporters typically thrive with associate's training or higher under their belts
• Police & probation officers often need specialized training at an academy
• Social workers, psychologists, and lawyers are advised to complete graduate training before they begin practicing professionally

In almost all of the above areas, it is possible to complete the bulk of your training via online education. The beauty of online law and criminal justice degree programs is that you can work and study from the comfort of home. In fact, you can complete an online degree program anywhere you have access to the Internet. You don't even need to be in the country while you work towards your degree. Just make certain that your connection is reliable and high-speed because video streaming and multi-media playback are becoming increasingly popular in online education.

Career Prospects after a Law & Criminal Justice Degree Program

The bad news is that crime will never go away completely. The good news is that demand for these positions isn't likely to go away either. If you possess the skills and training to detect, prevent, and prosecute criminal activity, you should be able to enjoy job security for many years to come. The greatest opportunities exist for paralegals and court reporters, who are expected to enjoy 22 percent and 25 percent job growth from 2006 to 2016. The highest earning potential goes to lawyers, who made a median salary of $100,000 in 2006.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Correctional Officers
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Court Reporters
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Forensic Science: A Career in the Crime Lab
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists