Many students who study criminal justice want to work in a field where they feel that they can make a positive difference. Students with criminal justice degrees go on to work for organizations that enforce the rules and laws of society, keeping communities safer and more pleasant places in which to live.
A degree in criminal justice prepares a student for entry-level employment in several relevant professions. Many police agencies now require a bachelor's degree and, while the degree does not have to be in criminal justice, some departments pay higher salaries to a graduate with a degree more relevant to the job. Other professions in corrections, parole and probation, juvenile justice and customs become open to students with bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Criminal justice degrees are available at both brick-and-mortar institutions and online.
Not all criminal justice majors immediately enter the workforce. Instead, many go on to postgraduate studies, including law, human services and other postgraduate careers. Still others pursue master's and doctoral degrees in criminal justice and sociology. Students with advanced degrees in criminal justice conduct research for academic institutions and government agencies and teach future criminal justice majors at colleges and universities.
A candidate interested in joining the police force who does not intend to pursue a field where a specialized degree is warranted or required, such as computer forensics or fraud investigation, will find that a degree in criminal justice may result in higher pay and faster promotion. Some police departments require higher-ranked officers to hold degrees relevant to their fields.
Criminal justice is a practical field in which theories and ideas are tested daily by members of the world's criminal justice agencies. To teach criminal justice courses, colleges and universities often cull professionals with experience working in the field, providing students with a real-world perspective and professional contacts.
Issues of crime and punishment have troubled society for thousands of years. Headlines related to criminal justice subjects top newspapers every day. Many universities offer criminal justice as a branch of sociology, considering crime as it relates to broad social structures. As such, the study of criminal justice provides a deeper understanding of important contemporary issues and empowers students to be better-informed citizens.