A corrections officer is an entry-level position that includes watching over inmates, escorting inmates to areas within the facility, breaking up altercations, conducting thorough searches of inmate cells, preparing documents for transferring inmates and handing out mail. Many non-federal correctional facilities require at least a high school degree, but for advancement into supervisory positions, an associate degree is necessary to establish a foundation of knowledge in all aspects of the criminal justice system. Correctional officers who seek jobs in the federal prison system are required to hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and undergo extensive training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a corrections officer in 2009 was $39,050.
Police officers serve and protect the public by enforcing laws, conducting investigations and arresting criminals for prosecution. Police officers must be physically fit and able to defend themselves against a variety of physical attacks, and should possess a solid foundation in criminal justice principles. Although a high school diploma formerly was sufficient to apply to a police academy, many larger cities such as Chicago have begun emphasizing the professional nature of being a police officer and favor applicants with associate and bachelor degrees in criminal justice. Having an associate degree will also be beneficial when seeking promotion to higher levels of police work. In 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the median annual salary of a police officer as $53,210.
Many private investigation firms require new hires to possess at least an associate degree in criminal justice. As a private investigator, your job description will often overlap with that of a police officer, necessitating a good background in the practice and methods of crime and punishment. Many private investigators will supplement their college training with field training in surveillance techniques, self-defense and emergency aid certification. The median annual salary for a private investigator as of 2009, was $42,110, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Also known as court services officers, bailiffs provide security and enforce the rules inside a courtroom, escort the jury from the courtroom to deliberations or for lunch breaks, swear in witnesses using specific techniques and language and escort defendants who've been found guilty to a holding cell or correctional facility. An associate degree in criminal justice provides the formal education required to cover many aspects of a bailiff's job in addition to the initial training provided by an employer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the 2009 median annual salary for a bailiff was $37,950.