The world of criminal justice has a lot of job opportunities that you can opt for if you have or are getting a degree in this area. Understanding criminal behavior and law enforcement is crucial if you want to work for the public or private sector.
Whether you want to be in the field like a police officer or assist in investigations or analysis like forensic psychologists, you must make sure that the law is fulfilled correctly.
15 Jobs you can try with a Criminal Justice Degree
If you are not sure which job fits your desires, this list of some jobs that you can get with a criminal justice degree will help you. These are lucrative jobs, but they require full dedication to the legal system to ensure everyone’s safety and rights.
Lawyer
One of the most common jobs you can apply for, but at the same time one of the hardest. This job is for people who want to represent people in any court case, following the legal procedures that come with it.
On top of having a criminal justice degree, you must also pass the state’s written bar examination. It can be interesting to become a lawyer if you are all into criminal law and the judicial system.
Police Officer
As we mentioned before, being a police officer is a job that most of the time requires you to be on the streets helping the bystanders have a good life. You normally need a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in this job, but a bachelor’s degree can get you to a better position or salary.
You will also need on-the-job training to become a police officer, learning how to attend calls of emergency, go patrolling, arrest criminals, and keep the community safe.
Private Investigator
A private investigator or detective can do different jobs depending on the client’s request. Normally, these investigators can be hired by businesses, institutions, or just individuals that want their services.
These can be to perform a background check on someone, collect evidence, find missing persons, obtain personal and legal information, and others.
It is a delicate job; on some occasions, a high school diploma and years of work experience are enough but you might need a degree in criminal justice for more opportunities.
Forensic Science Technician
If you want to work in criminal investigations but prefer to just collect and analyze evidence, then this job is for you. Forensic science technicians can specialize in different areas; some may prefer working in the field, while others prefer to analyze evidence in labs.
You need a bachelor’s degree in order to apply for this job and also receive on-the-job training from agencies and laboratories.
Probation Officer
When a person is convicted of a crime, they would normally go to jail. However, depending on the judge’s decision, they can grant the convicted probation instead of going to jail. This means that the convicted can go back to the community under the supervision of a probation officer.
This job requires you to supervise the convicted and make sure they do not present any danger to the community. Through visits and interviews, you must help through the rehabilitation process and write reports of the progress.
Parole Officer
It is a job similar to the last one we mentioned. You still need a criminal justice degree to work as a parole officer, but as the name implies, you supervise convicts that are put on parole.
Convicts can obtain this after they serve a certain amount of time in jail. After that, they can go back to the community and have a normal life again. However, if they break the rules of parole, the officer must send them back to prison.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent
DEA agents prevent illegal drugs to be distributed in the country. They conduct investigations to stop drug trafficking and prevent illicit imports. It is a job that requires education and responsibility.
You must first earn your degree and then complete months of training before you can enter this work area.
Paralegal and Legal Assistants
You must have great organizational skills if you want to work as a paralegal or legal assistant. These jobs’ primary purpose is to help and support lawyers with their cases and clients. You are their right hand when it comes to documentation, research, and assistance.
There are numerous tasks that you can perform to help lawyers prepare for trials, hearings, or meetings with clients. If you want to work in this area, then you need your criminal justice degree and a certificate in paralegal studies from a program approved by the American Bar Association.
Homicide Detective
As a homicide detective, you get to investigate and analyze crime scenes to conclude who is the criminal and arrest them. It is an important job that can be tiresome since you have to collect and analyze a lot of evidence, interview suspects, follow leads and catch the perpetrator.
You can opt for this job if you have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. But beware, as it will take most of your time.
Criminal Profiler
Predicting the moves of criminals is essential for the investigation. That is why criminal profilers use the evidence at hand and psychology to determine the suspect’s behavior, next moves, and motives for a crime.
It is a job that requires you to know about psychology, but you will also check all the data of the case to make conclusions that will help the team.
Forensic Psychologist
Usually, people say that the former job and this one are equally the same, but they have their differences. For instance, this job is more focused on the psychological aspect, like analyzing the criminal’s motivations and determinations.
Their purpose is also to help rehabilitate criminals with all the information gathered through interviews. It is useful because it is hard to determine what the criminal can do to turn over a new leaf in the future.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent
An FBI agent works for the U.S. government in more difficult and threatening cases. There are different specializations within the FBI that you can get into. However, it is a dangerous job, sometimes requiring you to be in the line of fire.
With a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in criminal justice, you can become an FBI agent. You will also need on-the-job training. If there is a case that violates federal law, then you will have the chance to solve it.
Correctional Officer
Making sure that prisoners stay in line in jail is the job of a correctional officer. To be one, you need a bachelor’s degree, but you have to know how to control your environment with the prisoners.
It is not an easy task, since you have to make sure there are no conflicts between prisoners, monitor the trafficking of illegal objects or drugs in their cells, and make decisions that can affect everyone and even yourself.
Customs Inspector
If you would like to work for the Customs and Border Protection agency, then being an inspector can suit you. This job requires you to stay focused and check everyone that passes the border.
You need to control the trespassing of illegal items, dangerous people, or drugs at the border. That way, you ensure people’s safety at the U.S. border.
Victim Advocate
Victims affected by crimes may need support to follow all the procedures that come during the next few days. Fortunately, victim advocates help them ease their problems by showing them what there is to do.
They will tell them what forms they need to fill out, offer different types of rehabilitation and emotional support, and everything that they might not understand about criminal proceedings.
Start Your Criminal Justice Career in One of These Job Opportunities
While this article focuses on criminal justice degrees, if you’re 14 and wondering what jobs can you get at 14, there are a variety of options available to you, such as babysitting, lawn care, and dog walking.
Some of these jobs might sound scary and dangerous, but if you want to make a change in your community, then going for one of these jobs is a great way to start.
You can go for any of the jobs you want the most, but make sure that you have your degree in criminal justice. Be prepared, as these jobs require mental and physical abilities that will be helpful to your team.
References
- Explore Criminal Justice Education. (2023, February 28th). In All Criminal Justice Schools. https://www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/criminal-justice/