Those who graduate with a criminal justice degree have a variety of career options to choose from. Graduates can work in law enforcement, the courts, corrections or teaching. Once you gain experience working in one field of criminal justice, you can begin working in another field. Employers will notice you are trustworthy and you have experience working with difficult people.
Because prisons and correctional facilities will always exist, the field of criminal justice will continue to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists will be higher than average through 2018. Many of these jobs are run by government agencies, which normally provide good benefits.
A bachelor's degree in criminal justice can prepare you for law school. According to CriminalJusticeMajors.com, law schools like to admit students with criminal justice degrees because they know the basics of law, crime, public policy, and social systems. Those who graduate with a criminal justice degree can also go to graduate school for psychology, sociology or social work.
A degree in criminal justice will increase your earning potential. College graduates will earn a higher salary than those with only a high school diploma. Whether you want to become a police officer or a legal secretary, making the extra effort to earn a four-year degree in criminal justice will pay off.
If contributing to the safety of your community is important to you, earning a degree in criminal justice may interest you. Police officers and security guards work hard to protect citizens from danger in the community. A job in criminal justice can make you feel good about yourself because you are doing meaningful work.