Associate degrees – Most associate degrees require courses in criminal justice administration. These may include courses in police tactics, probation enforcement, state criminal justice laws, forensic psychology, or social work. All of these areas involve some sort of interactions with criminal justice professionals. Many of these types of criminal justice jobs involve positions in forensics.
Bachelor’s degrees – A bachelor’s degree is usually required for those entering criminal justice jobs. These can be in any number of criminal justice fields. Some of the more popular fields include: investigative psychology, forensic psychology, incarceration and prison studies, or social work. If you want to specialize, however, you will have to take specialized courses, usually at a community college or vocational/trade school. You will need to take specific courses in psychology and criminology that directly apply to the job hunt. For example, if you want to become a forensic psychiatrist, you will have to take courses in Forensic Psychology.
Master’s degrees – At least one year is required to earn a master’s degree in criminal justice jobs. Many criminal justice professional’s job hunt for a Master’s in order to expand their knowledge and increase their credentials. This is an excellent way to further your education and put yourself in the forefront of criminal justice jobs.
PhD – For criminal justice professionals who may want to take their career to the next level, a PhD is a good option. A PhD typically takes two to three years to complete. There are plenty of academic institutions that offer a PhD in criminal justice program. Depending on what area of criminal justice you want to focus on, you may choose to enroll in a program at a university or a college. You may also want to look into a private institute that offers this kind of program.
Other educational options – For those on the hunt for criminal justice jobs, there are a variety of other educational options you can choose from. If you would like to learn more about law enforcement training, for example, you can check out a criminal justice academy. This type of learning facility offers intensive training in a controlled environment for current and future law enforcement officers. This training is often used by state and local police departments to teach skills that will help them in their day to day work. Other schools that offer this type of training include the FBI National Academy, the Peace Corps, the sheriff’s office in Georgia, and the Naval War College.
Online courses – With the advent of the internet, there are plenty of online criminal justice jobs available. These programs offer hands-on instruction in a highly structured environment. Students learn various topics such as criminal law, investigation techniques, crime analysis, and prosecution methods through the use of computer technology. You can even get a criminal justice degree online through an accredited institution.
In your search for criminal justice jobs, keep in mind that education is just as important as any training you will receive. Make sure to do your research so that you can choose an educational program that will provide you with the skills you need for your new job. You may also want to check with your local law enforcement agency to see if they have any seminars or workshops that you can attend. This is one way for you to be able to gain more knowledge and experience in the criminal justice field.
