Many criminal justice programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition, some programs may require applicants to have specific high school courses, such as:
* English
* Math
* Science
* Social studies
* History
* Government
* Economics
* Psychology
* Sociology
Some criminal justice programs may also require applicants to have a certain grade point average (GPA) or to have taken certain standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT.
Additional Requirements for Criminal Justice Programs
In addition to the high school credits required for admission to a criminal justice program, some programs may also require applicants to meet other requirements, such as:
* A minimum age
* A clean criminal record
* Good moral character
* Passing a physical exam
* Passing a drug test
Finding a Criminal Justice Program
There are many different criminal justice programs available at the college and university level. Some of the factors that you should consider when choosing a program include:
* The size of the program
* The location of the program
* The cost of the program
* The curriculum of the program
* The faculty of the program
* The reputation of the program
Once you have found a few criminal justice programs that you are interested in, you should contact the admissions office of each program to learn more about the application process and requirements.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates
The job outlook for criminal justice graduates is expected to be good over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of police officers, detectives, and criminal investigators will grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029. This growth is expected to be driven by the need to replace retiring officers and by the increasing demand for law enforcement services.