Criminal Justice Careers

The U.S. Criminal Justice System is the system used by local and national government to help maintain social order and punish criminal offenders.

Courts, defense attorneys and law enforcement officers all play a part in upholding the law and ensuring that the accused are given a fair trial and that their individual rights are protected throughout the process.

Careers in Criminal Justice: Degree Requirements

With increased security measures in the U.S in recent years, there is a greater need for skilled criminal justice professionals and also a growing number of criminal justice degree programs designed to train and prepare students seeking entry into the field.

Some criminal justice jobs require a bachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice studies or a related field, but many employers will hire applicants without a degree if they have experience or are willing to complete a certificate program or intensive on-the-job training in their field of interest.

A two-year associate's degree program is often the minimum requirement necessary for those interested in working in federal, state and local law enforcement agencies or in the federal and state correctional systems. Job opportunities in the private sector may require less education for entry-level positions.

Criminal Justice Jobs

Some of the career opportunities in the criminal justice field include:

• correctional officers: Correctional officers are responsible for watching over convicted criminals who are serving time in reformatories, penitentiaries and jails. Duties include maintaining security and preventing escapes, assaults and conflicts. Correctional officers are also responsible for overseeing those who are waiting for trail after being arrested. The average salary for correctional officers is $34,560.
• court reporters: Court reporters keep record of the official dealings that take place during a court session. Reporters must be skilled listeners and have the ability to work quickly so they can accurately record all that is said. Some court reporters have been known to record up to 200 words per minute. Reporters earn $39,670, on average.
• criminologists: Criminologists study criminal behavior and law. Typically, their primary duties include research and teaching. Most criminologists possess a PhD in criminal justice or criminology and hold professorships in colleges or universities. They actively contribute to knowledge about the field by evaluating the biological, sociological and psychological factors that influence crimes. Salaries for full-time criminology faculty members average $64,455.
• detectives and investigators: Detectives examine records, follow the activities of suspects, conduct interviews and may also participate in arrests and raids. Typically, detectives and inspectors have an area of specialty, such as fraud or homicide. The average salary for a detective or investigator is $49,860 annually.
• FBI agents: Agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) perform research for the government, participating in sensitive undercover assignments. They may listen in to court-ordered wiretaps, track stolen property, investigate crimes or follow espionage cases An entry-level salary for FBI agents is $39,115. Advanced nonsupervisory assignments pay an average salary of $61,251.
• forensic science technicians and forensic psychologists: Forensic scientists are responsible for collecting and analyzing physical evidence related to crimes. They may analyze evidence found at crime scenes such as drugs, fingerprints, firearms, blood, etc. An experienced forensic scientist can earn $46,080 per year, on average.
• police officers: Sheriffs and police officers are responsible for enforcing the law and fighting crime. They make arrests, investigate criminal cases, collect evidence and testify in court. Further duties may include assisting citizens in emergency situations and keeping detailed reports. Patrol officers in police and sheriff's departments make a median annual income of $45,470. Salary Expectations for Criminal Justice CareersThe vast field of criminal justice has many more positions to choose from, in addition to the above career paths, with specific skill levels and education requirements for each.

Salary levels in the criminal justice field vary widely depending on your education, geographic location and the type of job you are applying for. Entry-level jobs that require no college education or certificate program offer lower starting salaries, while positions that require advanced degrees usually provide highly competitive salaries for employees. Criminal justice salaries range from $24,000 for entry-level jobs to $170,700 for senior positions.