There are numerous careers you can get with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice as well as a number of opportunities for self-employment. For example, you could devote your time to social services where lots of new recruits are needed, or turn to fieldwork where the jobs are more difficult to acquire. You can work in government or the private sector too. In addition, some positions require higher education and rarer skills. You can find varied business duties like managerial or supervisory responsibilities.
Criminal justice is one of the broadest fields out there, with many different specializations and subfields. This means that you can find a job in criminal justice no matter what your interests are.
For example, if you’re interested in policing and law enforcement, then there are many jobs available for you. You can work as a police officer or detective, but if you want to move up in rank, you might also consider going to law school and becoming a lawyer or judge.
If you’re more interested in the correctional system, then there are also plenty of options for you. You could become an administrator at a prison or jail—but if there are other things that interest you more like working with people who have mental illness or substance abuse problems? Then you might end up working as an addiction counselor instead.
One thing to keep in mind is that these jobs don’t just exist at the local level; they also exist on the state and national level as well. So while there may not be any “criminal justice jobs” available at your local police department, there may be some positions available at your state police department instead!
What jobs can you get with bachelors in criminal justice
Introduction
The field of Criminal Justice is an exciting one, with a variety of positions that can make use of your specialized skills. Whatever your interests are, there’s a career path out there for you within the world of criminal justice. We’ve found ten jobs that you can land with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice!
Detective
Detectives investigate crimes, gather evidence and interview suspects or witnesses. They are also often in charge of compiling reports about the cases they work on. This job is a great choice for someone who likes to make independent decisions and wants to work with a lot of different people from many different backgrounds.
In order to become a detective, you’ll need high school diploma or equivalency degree (GED) as well as several years of experience working in law enforcement. You can train at an academy while getting this experience, which will help you get hired at your local police department when you’re ready to apply.
Homeland security agent
Homeland security agents are a type of federal law enforcement officer. They investigate crimes that threaten national security and can include national security investigations, terrorism, espionage and sabotage. Homeland Security Agents work for the United States government but they can be employed by other agencies as well.
Homeland security agents are responsible for protecting citizens, property and infrastructure from acts that endanger national security such as terrorism or espionage. These individuals gather information on suspected criminal activity in order to prevent future events from occurring.
Probation officer
Probation officers are responsible for supervising people who have been convicted of crimes and sentenced to probation. This can include individuals who have been released from prison on parole or individuals who were given suspended sentences. The primary role of a probation officer is to help rehabilitate criminal offenders in order to reduce recidivism rates and improve society as a whole.
Probation officers typically work in the following areas:
- Social work, counseling, case management, and supervision
- Supervision of sexual offenders (known as sex offender registry)
Private detective
Private detectives are licensed individuals who investigate crime and fraud for private citizens and their companies. Private detectives can also be called upon by the police to assist with investigations, such as missing persons or those suspected of criminal activity.
Private detectives conduct background checks on potential employees, verify alibis for clients, check financial records of suspected criminals, and perform other tasks as requested by clients. The private detective may also visit crime scenes to gather evidence or witness statements from victims.
Private detectives need a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice before they can enter the field. Candidates should prepare themselves academically while in school so they will graduate with a strong understanding of investigative techniques and principles related to analyzing situations involving both civil law and criminal responsibility.
Correctional officer
- What is a correctional officer?
A correctional officer (CO) is a law enforcement professional who works in the corrections field. COs are responsible for supervising inmates, maintaining order and carrying out their daily duties. They work at jails and prisons, as well as in juvenile detention centers or other detention facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were nearly 600,000 COs employed full time in 2017—a number that has continued to rise steadily since 2012. Correctional officers may also be called jailers or guards.*
- What do they do?
The main duties of a CO include:
- Maintaining security within the facility; this includes preventing escapes, enforcing rules and regulations, inspecting inmates’ cells/offices/work areas for contraband items such as weapons or drugs, checking visitors’ identification cards before they enter secure areas etc… 2) Providing safety from harm; this could mean restraining unruly individuals when needed 3) Treating inmates fairly; ensuring fair treatment for every inmate regardless of race/gender/age etc… 4)*Assisting with medical care needs when necessary 5)*Maintaining records related to inmate behavior 6)*Enforcing discipline within the facility 7)*Providing education programs about substance abuse among other topics 8)*Supervising activities like group discussions or educational classes 9)*Maintaining security outside secure areas such as day rooms where inmates can move freely between buildings 10).Additional duties may include transporting prisoners between facilities
Forensic accountant
Forensic accountants are in-demand across a number of fields, including law enforcement, white-collar crime and fraud investigations. Forensic accountants work with attorneys, regulators and financial experts to examine records and determine whether fraud has occurred.
The job duties of forensic accountants include:
- Evaluating evidence from an accounting firm’s clients to determine whether financial statements or other documents have been altered in any way
- Using their expertise to identify suspicious transactions within a client’s books and records
- Reviewing business records for evidence that companies may be hiding assets or concealing activities that would violate laws regarding taxes or other regulations
Fraud investigator
As a fraud investigator, you’ll be responsible for detecting and preventing fraud in your organization. You’ll use your investigative skills to gather information and evidence to support your findings. Fraud investigators are employed in a variety of industries including healthcare, government, accounting and finance, insurance, manufacturing and distribution. They may work in teams or on their own depending on the industry they’re working in and the size of their organization or department.
Legal assistant or paralegal
If you’re looking to pursue a career as a legal assistant or paralegal, you’ll need a degree. Paralegals have more specialized training and experience than legal assistants.
Generally speaking, paralegals work for attorneys in private practice or law firms, whereas legal assistants usually work for government entities such as the courts or police departments. Both occupations are very similar in many respects—they both perform administrative tasks related to the legal profession and help lawyers by drafting documents and managing information—but there are key differences between them as well.
A paralegal will likely have more expertise than your average lawyer’s helper: he or she has completed rigorous coursework on top of his bachelor’s degree (or higher) in criminal justice studies; may hold certifications from professional organizations like The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); might have even taken courses toward becoming licensed to practice law in certain states where that is required by state bar associations before being allowed entry into the profession
Bailiff
A bailiff is a court officer who is responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom. Their duties include making sure that the courtroom is secure, controlling the jury and maintaining order during proceedings. Bailiffs also serve papers to people involved in cases and make sure that the court’s internal processes are running smoothly.
Insurance investigator
The insurance investigator is responsible for investigating claims and fraud. Insurance investigators work for insurance companies, who pay them based on the amount of money they save the company.
An insurance investigator requires a good understanding of logic and problem-solving skills.
These are the jobs that you can get with a degree in criminal justice
Criminal justice majors have a wide range of career options. Some of the jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice include:
- Corrections officer
- Police officer (more on this later)
- Forensic science technician
- Probation and parole officer
Conclusion
These are just some of the many positions available to you after graduating with a degree in criminal justice. So if you’re looking for a career that will challenge and excite you every day, start exploring your options now!
