A criminal justice degree covers all aspects of standard police work from the skills necessary to maintain law and order in the streets, to the administration expertise needed to plan cases and run a precinct. Curricula offer a balance of theory and application and involve such subjects as gang activity, drug operations, correctional services and law enforcement agencies.
After 9/11 studies of terrorism and domestic security increased steadily on college campuses. Homeland security programs offer foundations in planning, implementing and overseeing security operations. Programs include emergency planning and preparedness as well, ensuring students are capable of responding effectively to rapidly evolving situations similar to actual terrorist attacks. Many of the skills learned in a homeland security program are for corporate and federal government agencies. While opening doors in several expanding policing fields, these degrees are less applicable to standard municipal law enforcement.
Similar to homeland security programs, these degrees provide students with both theoretical and applied approaches to the emergency and protection industries. These programs cover research methodology as well as communication skills with formal security agencies as well as public safety offices. Graduates with emergency management degrees could have a number of potential careers including working with police to develop evacuation plans or with social marketing departments in the federal government to produce public service announcements.
Law enforcement is a more intensive and focused program than criminal justice. Law enforcement degrees prepare students for careers as law enforcement professionals by introducing them to all integrated elements of an efficient police bureau. Students are taught about law adjudication and judicial procedures, corrections and juvenile crime. For students looking to climb the ranks and work their way up to sergeants and shift lieutenants, this type of degree is fine-tuned to assist with long-term career goals.
Forensics degrees will continue to be in high demand as police investigations become increasingly about cutting edge science and trace evidence extraction. These programs aren't just about dusting for finger prints either. Computer forensics is an expanding discipline that examines evidence including GPS locations, identity theft and hacking on computer servers. With rises in computer-based crime and warfare, computer forensics is an exciting and expanding field for anyone interested in technology and programming.