Criminal Justice and Law Degree Programs

Aspiring people who want to work in the judicial system typically think about getting a degree in law or criminal justice. This article explores the complexities of degree programs in criminal justice and law, providing information on their importance, curricula, opportunities for career advancement, and other topics.

Overview Of Criminal Justice and Law Degrees

The criminal justice and legal fields have a bright future for employment, as many positions are growing steadily, and some are at rates that are higher than normal. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment in the legal sector will grow by 9% between 2016 and 2026, adding about 116,200 new jobs—a growth that is marginally higher than the average for all occupations. With a 15% predicted increase over the same period, paralegals and legal assistants are expected to have the biggest growth, generating over 40,000 new work possibilities. Furthermore, growth rates of 10% and 12% are anticipated for arbitrators, mediators, conciliators, and postsecondary law instructors, respectively.

 

The Value of Education in Criminal Justice

Education in criminal justice is essential to producing people capable of handling the many obstacles that are present in the legal field. It includes a thorough comprehension of criminology, law enforcement, courts, and prisons. These programs equip students with the analytical, moral, and critical thinking abilities necessary for a variety of positions in the criminal justice system.

Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice

Law Enforcement Officer

Graduates with a degree in criminal justice can pursue careers as police officers, detectives, or federal agents. They play a crucial role in maintaining public safety, investigating crimes, and upholding the law.

Legal Advocate

Individuals passionate about social justice may choose to work as legal advocates or paralegals, assisting attorneys in legal research, case preparation, and client representation.

Corrections Officer

In the realm of corrections, professionals oversee incarcerated individuals, facilitate rehabilitation programs, and ensure compliance with prison regulations.

Importance Of Criminal Justice and Law Degrees 

If a job in criminal justice or law interests you, you might be wondering if enrolling in a degree program is actually worth the time and money commitment. Ultimately, are there professions in this area that don’t call for a formal degree? The quick answer is “yes,” but there are still a lot of reasons to think about enrolling in a graduate program or earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a similar profession.

That being said, the following is a list of a few legal and criminal justice jobs that do not require formal postsecondary education for admission, along with the corresponding mean annual salaries for each (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics):

• Police and Detectives: $61,600
• Private Detectives and Investigators: $50,700
• Court Reporters: $51,320
• Correctional Officers and Bailiffs: $42,820

It’s not always a good idea to enter the criminal justice and legal fields without a degree, even though it is allowed in certain cases. Employers in many of these industries prefer candidates with at least an associate’s degree, if not a bachelor’s. Additionally, after you are hired, these credentials will put you ahead of the curve for any prospects for growth.

Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice and Law

Bachelor’s degrees in law and criminal justice require four years of full-time study to complete and offer a more in-depth examination of particular subject areas in the fields. Some schools and universities have modified their bachelor’s degree programs in recent years to better accommodate students who are employed full-time or have family obligations. Accelerated alternatives, hybrid formats, and fully online programs are some of these adaptations. Additionally, there are some universities that provide 4+1 programs, which let students pursue their master’s and bachelor’s degrees in law and criminal justice concurrently and complete both in five years.

Types of Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Law Programs

Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and legal studies are two of the most well-liked bachelor’s degree programs in both fields. We’ll go into great detail about these two kinds of bachelor’s degrees.

Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies

Legal studies bachelor’s degrees frequently prepare students for careers as paralegals or legal assistants. However, the reach goes further, perhaps leading to different entry-level jobs in the legal field or preparing the path for graduate-level legal studies. These all-inclusive programs include 120 credit hours and consist of a combination of basic general education requirements and field-specific courses. Explore a sample of the many courses available that are designed to help you get a legal studies bachelor’s degree.

Universities Offering Criminal Justice and Law

1. University of South Carolina

2. BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice and Law

   University of Wolverhampton

Salary Scale For Criminal Justice and Law Degrees

Legal and criminal justice professions pay a wide range of salaries. Though there are certain exceptions, generally speaking, your chances of earning more increase with education. However, you can still make a consistent salary in the industry by applying for certain roles that require little to no formal schooling. For example, court reporters earn over $50,000 annually and can get work with just a community college-level credential.

A handful of positions in the legal and criminal justice systems will provide for more than your basic needs. Of course, in order to get paid for these high-paying jobs, you must devote a significant amount of time and energy to your education. Examine the following roles in criminal justice and law, together with their corresponding mean yearly wages and educational requirements:

Attorneys: $118,160 for a professional or doctorate degree
Hearing officers and judges: $109,940 (Ph.D. or equivalent professional degree)
Law teachers in postsecondary education: $104,910 (Master’s or Doctorate)

 Courses for Bachelors Degree Legal Studies Programs

• Advanced Legal Practices
• American Politics
• Forensic Psychology
• International Criminal Justice
• Law and Human Rights
• Introduction to Juvenile Justice
• Techniques of Legal Research
• Advanced Legal Writing

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice programs have a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and modern criminal justice and law enforcement subjects. For those who want to enter the industry with the goal of moving up quickly, these degrees are perfect. Numerous four-year schools and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, and more and more of them are now offered online.

Sample Course Titles for Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs

Programs for bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice encompass a wide range of topics related to the area. Law enforcement, juvenile justice, probation, crime scene investigation, prisons, and many other subjects are covered by these curricula. These are some examples of course titles.

• Policing in America
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• Courts and the Prosecution Process
• Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
• Police Organization and Administration
• Criminal Procedure

The national criminal justice honor organization, Alpha Phi Sigma, extends invitations to bachelor’s degree candidates in criminal justice.

Masters Degrees in Criminal Justice and Law

The Master of Criminal Justice degree is one of the most sought-after legal and criminal justice master’s programs. Students who complete this degree are prepared for careers in management and administration in the fields of criminal justice and law enforcement.

Areas for Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Numerous master’s degree programs in criminal justice are flexible, enabling students to customize the coursework to meet their own professional objectives. A master’s degree in criminal justice may provide the concentrations listed below.

• Strategic Management
• Homeland Security
• Juvenile Justice
• Corrections
• Criminal Investigation

Course Titles for Masters in Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Course titles for a master’s program in criminal justice will differ depending on the school and, if relevant, the concentration that the student has selected. Nevertheless, there will always be some overlap between different programs. We’ve included a list of sample course titles below to give you a broad idea of what to expect in your master’s criminal justice studies.

• Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Criminology and Victimology
• Criminal Justice Policy and Planning
• Applied Digital Forensic Investigation
• Diversity in the Criminal Justice System

Advanced jobs such as jail managers, wardens, police officers, investigators, probation officers, parole officers, correctional treatment experts, and more are available to graduates of master’s programs in criminal justice.

Doctorate Degrees in Criminal Justice and Law

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Criminal Justice is a prevalent doctoral degree choice in the field of law and criminal justice. Geared towards professionals aspiring to academic or research roles, graduates can pursue careers in teaching at higher education institutions or conducting criminology research.

Specialization Options for Criminal Justice Ph.D. Programs

Similar to master’s programs in criminal justice, Ph.D. programs also offer students the flexibility to tailor their degree plans to align with their academic interests and career aspirations. Below are some specialization options commonly found in criminal justice Ph.D. programs.

• Corrections
• Juvenile Justice
• Behavioral Sciences
• Organizational Leadership
• Criminology