The criminal justice field offers substantial growth opportunities for qualified people. As there are more technological advances today than ever, so are there more wrongdoers seeking illegal profits from technology. Many major cities are plagued by higher incidences of crime, ranging from shoplifting to murder. With increasing anti-terrorism tactics from the U.S. government as well as individual localities, people with specific training are needed to fill a growing roster of available jobs.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) often hire people with criminal justice degrees from community college. The large number of correctional institutions throughout the country is in constant need of a wide variety of personnel. Community colleges throughout the country are equipped to provide degrees in criminal justice that qualify people to work in this exciting profession.
Criminal Justice Degrees From Community College
Many people in this growing industry obtained their jobs by obtaining a community college criminal justice degree. Community college offers the opportunity to attain a two-year criminal justice degree or a certificate in specific areas of this field. Many community colleges also offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. Whether obtaining an online degree or attending a nearby facility, students are able to work with local law enforcement officials, receiving real-life, on-the-job training. Some criminal justice degree programs correspond exactly to their respective states’ law enforcement standards.
A Sample of Criminal Justice Degrees
Degree Programs are available for a variety of careers. Some include:
Crime Scene Technician: Students become qualified to perform certain tasks, including collecting DNA, packaging evidence, photographing crime scenes and corresponding with law enforcement and legal agencies.
Law Enforcement: Police officers are responsible for being primary protectors within their communities. They observe and apprehend those who violate laws, respond to emergency calls, document arrests, provide testimonies and provide other important services.
Correctional Officer: The supervision, security and care of prisoners is the primary job responsibility of a corrections officer. People in this demanding career are trained in areas such as self-defense, use of various weapons, use of force, criminal law and report composition.
Homeland Security Technology: Students are trained to specialize in computer technology that adheres to the latest standards and goals of the DHS. Attainment of a degree may lead to jobs within local, state or federal government levels.
Paralegal: People employed as paralegals work with legal professionals at law firms, corporations and in courtroom environments. They perform a range of duties including filing, transcribing as well as scheduling appointments. Depending upon educational levels and years of experience, some paralegals engage in intensive legal research and interview clients.
Juvenile Justice: As the juvenile corrections field has its own standards and requirements, students may receive degrees and certificates enabling them to become juvenile correctional officers, probation officers and administrators.
Criminal Justice Employment Overview
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a continuing demand for individuals with community college criminal justice degrees. As an example, the BLS predicts a ten-percent increase in the number of people that will be hired as police officers from 2006 through 2016.