Many agencies require criminal justice law enforcement degrees, which equip you with the skills to qualify for positions such as police officer, parole officer, detective, marshal, game warden or FBI agent. Courses for a law enforcement program will typically entail lectures and lessons regarding the history of law enforcement and the differences between local, state or federal law. The curriculum will also provide information regarding law enforcement ethics, report writing, firearm use, effective communication, community relations, juvenile justice, probation and parole, investigation techniques and emergency response strategies.
(CE: See Reference 1)
Most investigations require scientific techniques to help solve the crime. Scientists who are also crime enthusiasts can obtain criminal justice degrees in criminal science at many schools. A criminal science degree would enable you to collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes, including DNA, fingerprints, drugs, fibers and other materials. Some criminal science programs will also train you regarding technology and teach you how to accurately analyze information found in computer programs or spreadsheets. The courses for most criminal justice degrees emphasize science classes such as chemistry and biology, and most programs will require you to spend a large amount of time performing chemistry experiments and learning how to successfully examine evidence.
(CE: See Reference 2)
Criminal justice police science degrees involve a diverse set of fields to broaden your knowledge of criminology, enhance your skills as a law enforcement officer, and improve your abilities to track and apprehend criminals. Many police science courses incorporate several disciplines into the program, including psychology, criminology, jurisprudence, forensic science and corrections. Some programs focus heavily on lab-oriented training; other programs focus primarily on interrogation methods and criminal profiling. Many schools will include both lab work and lectures to solidify your police and detective skills.
(CE: See Reference 3)
A bachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice administration prepares you to help reform criminals, steer children away from delinquency, work as a parole officer or serve as a social worker. Other positions that an administration degree would qualify you for include corrections officer, police officer, detective, highway patrol officer, military duties and public office positions. With an emphasis on administrative obligations, many programs entail classes that emphasize an understanding of the history of criminal justice and a firm knowledge of local, state and federal law. Courses will typically cover management and planning, corrections issues, white collar crime, drug education, court processes, policing, legislation, community relations, ethics, investigations and new information technologies.
(CE: See Reference 4)