What Will I Learn in a Criminal Justice Degree Program?
If you are a fan of legal shows or police stories and find them fascinating beyond just the plot elements, then criminal justice is the field for you. When you enroll in a criminal justice degree program, you will learn about all of the details that make up the U.S. criminal justice system. It is a wide and varied field, but all students begin their education with basic courses in the courts and criminal justice system, criminal justice organization and administration, policing principles and law enforcement, criminal investigation, crime prevention, law enforcement controversy, and security essentials. After completing these basic courses, criminal justice students pick an area within the field on which to concentrate their studies, such as probation and corrections, police work, or homeland security. Students then take classes that directly relate to their concentration.
What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
The criminal justice field is a large and varied landscape filled with exciting opportunities for all types of personalities and interests. There are many differing careers that a criminal justice student can pursue, including occupations in police and detective departments, homeland security, judicial systems, courtrooms, and community corrections. No matter what specific occupational path criminal justice students choose to follow, they will be working in a position that strives to keep the community safe. Job opportunities for many criminal justice occupations are growing. For example, employment of police officers and detectives is expected to increase ten percent during the 2008-18 decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With an increasing population and growing cities, more criminal justice workers will be needed to ensure the safety and prosperity of all community residents and visitors.
Why is Criminal Justice Such a Popular Major?
Those who major in criminal justice have the chance to significantly change the lives of the entire community in which they live and work. This opportunity to be a successful positive influence accounts for much of the popularity behind the criminal justice major, but it is not the only reason why students are flocking into the lecture halls of justice courses. The criminal justice field is an exciting one and it is also filled with different job opportunities for all types of interests. Those who desire to be out on the streets and physically protecting their communities can work as police officers. Those who would rather have a quieter occupation can work as court clerks or paralegals. All in all, those who major in criminal justice often find rewarding job opportunities.