Is A Criminal Justice Degree Right For Me?
Ready To Start Your Online Education?
Enrolling in an Online College or University gives you the freedom to pursue your dreams.
We'll match you with the right schools and programs.
Best of all, the process is completely FREE and takes just a few minutes.
.....
©2018-2019 Explore Top Colleges. All rights reserved.
Disclosure: Not all programs are accelerated, available in all locations, or in both online and on-campus formats. Financial aid including grants, scholarships and loans may be available to those who qualify. Program lengths and outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed. ExploreTopColleges is a consumer information site that offers free, independent ratings and recommendations of colleges and universities. While we receive advertising revenue from most of the schools we rate and recommend, our editors thoroughly research each school and offer their honest opinions when rating each one. We are independently owned and operated and all opinions expressed on this site are our own, including, without limitation, our designation of a particular institution as being a "top" or "best" school, college or university.
You may qualify for a financial aid package which can help you return to school. *Please view the governments website to learn more about pell grants and what it takes to qualify. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/pell-2018-19
Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Unsubscribe
Looking For Criminal Justice Degree Info?
Which Criminal Justice Career Path Best Suits You?
If you’re interested in a career in criminal justice, you’ve come to the right place. On this page, you’ll learn about criminal justice careers in the three branches of the criminal justice system, what you can do with a criminal justice degree and how to pick the right career.
Criminal Justice Career Path 1: Law Enforcement
Law enforcement careers in criminal justice involve delivering justice by stopping offenders from breaking the law and protecting innocent people. This is the first step in catching perpetrators and gathering evidence that can be later used in a court of law. These roles typically make reports on crime in their area, investigate criminal activity, arrest offenders and deliver testimony during court proceedings. This branch of the criminal justice system offers the most career options
Before obtaining a criminal justice degree, you may need to narrow down your interests to a specific branch. The US criminal justice system is comprised of three parts called branches:
-
Law Enforcement: These are agencies, police, and detectives who are responsible for keeping civilians safe and investigating crimes.
-
The Courts: This is anyone who works within the legal system, such as judges and prosecutors.
-
Corrections: These are the men and women who detain and supervise offenders.
There are many paths toward a career with a criminal justice degree. Read on to learn more about criminal justice professions in each of the three branches.
Those who work in the corrections branch of the American justice system ensure that convicted offenders serve their sentences as the court suggests and supervise convicts currently serving time. Jobs in corrections commonly include probation, parole and corrections officers.
What Are The 3 Branches Of The Criminal Justice System?
Criminal Justice Career Path 3: Corrections
Criminal Justice Career Path 2: The Courts
The courts in our criminal justice system are run by judges. The individuals who work in American courts ensure that a fair trial takes place and the law is followed. The most common positions in the courts are paralegals and prosecutors, but there are many other career paths to take if advancing in the court system interests you.