A criminal justice degree is a great starting point if you want a career in law enforcement, legal advocacy, corrections, or homeland security. It can also lead to opportunities in politics, academia, and other social service areas.
A criminology degree helps you understand contemporary public safety issues and evaluate policy responses. It also builds your analytical skills.
How to Choose a Program
If you are interested in pursuing a criminal justice career, the first step is to find a program that fits your goals and interests. You’ll want to consider the type of program, the learning format, and financial aid options.
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) criminal justice degree combines criminology and sociology courses with general education coursework. The result is a well-rounded education that can help you prepare for many criminal justice careers, including law enforcement and research.
Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees delve more intently into specific field areas, such as forensics, homeland security, legal studies, and corrections. Some schools also offer self-designed concentrations, which allow you to select classes that suit your career aspirations.
Several programs may offer internships, job shadowing, and police ride-alongs. A few even offer joint degree programs for students planning to attend law school or a graduate program in the field.
Enrolling in a Program
When choosing bachelors in criminal justice program, it is essential to consider your career goals. You may be able to select a minor course of study, such as psychology or sociology, to complement your criminal justice studies and broaden your career options.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is typically required for many professional roles, such as law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and corrections. The bachelor’s degree also opens the door for pursuing a graduate degree, like a master’s in criminology.
A bachelor’s degree program will offer more in-depth courses than an associate degree, such as criminology, police procedures and investigations, crime theory, laws and the courts, corrections, and policing. The curriculum may include hands-on learning, case studies, and virtual technology that help students understand the realities of a career in criminal justice. Moreover, the program will also enhance students’ communication and critical thinking skills. Lastly, it will prepare students for the job market by enabling them to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Choosing a Major
Students should consider the time they want to invest in their degree and what they hope to achieve. A bachelor’s degree takes four years, so students should plan accordingly and choose a program that fits their schedule.
It is important to note that a formal degree is not always required for entry-level positions in criminal justice, but a bachelor’s degree will help students advance in their careers. A bachelor’s degree will also give students a more well-rounded education to benefit future endeavors.
Students should also consider whether they want to specialize in a particular area of the criminal justice field. Suppose they hope to become a law enforcement officer or manager, for example. In that case, they will want to focus on courses that explore police management and the daily operations of a law enforcement agency. Similarly, they may prefer to major in criminology and criminological theory if they want to work in prisons or probation and parole.
Choosing a Minor
Choosing a minor to complement your criminal justice degree can help you to achieve your career goals. For example, if you want to work in law enforcement, having a minor in forensics or psychology may be helpful for you. Alternatively, a foreign language minor could be helpful if you are interested in working with a diverse population.
Generally, you should take at least 18 semester credit hours to complete a criminal justice minor. Many students add a minor related to their field of study, such as criminology or sociology. These minors can provide students with insight into the underlying causes of crime.
Other popular minors for criminal justice majors include accounting, law/legal studies, and history. Consider a minor that can prepare you for a career change, such as a business administration or computer science minor. If you still decide which minor to choose, consult your school’s academic advisor for advice.
