If you want to work in law enforcement or forensics, a criminal justice degree can help you pave the way. This article will cover the best jobs for criminal justice majors and the educational paths to building a criminal justice career. We will also include the average salaries and job outlook rates for top criminal justice jobs.
What Is a Criminal Justice Major?
A criminal justice major teaches you about criminology, the justice system, and criminal behaviors. It includes the study of sociological and psychological effects that might help to explain a criminal’s actions.
The curriculum also covers the study of statistics about gender and race in relation to criminality rates. Criminal justice graduates typically go on to build careers in law enforcement. The degree helps you master research, statistics, analytical, and sociology skills.
How to Become a Criminal Justice Professional: Criminal Justice Education Options
There are several educational options to become a criminal justice professional including online criminal justice bachelor’s degrees or in-person associate degrees. You can also enter some criminal justice professions with just a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED). However, the better your education, the higher your chances are of earning better wages and landing better jobs.
Criminal Justice Associate Degree
An associate degree in criminal justice is a two-year program that covers foundational elements of this field, including criminal justice, race relations, and criminal behavior. This criminal justice degree program is best suited for those wanting entry-level positions in the criminal justice field.
You can qualify for private investigator, park ranger, and correctional officer positions with an associate degree. Community colleges are also a cheaper option than a traditional bachelor’s degree, and often offer more flexibility in terms of schedules.
Best Associate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice Majors
- Southern New Hampshire University – Criminal Justice Online Associate Degree
- Colorado Christian University – Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Pierce College – Online Legal Studies/ Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Penn Foster – Online Criminal Justice Associate Degree
- Purdue University Global – Online Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice takes four to five years to complete and is a great option for those looking to work as secret service agents, corrections counselors, or forensic specialists. Coursework includes federal government policies, criminal activity, victims of crimes, evidence at crime scenes, statistics, and criminal justice ethics.
Your bachelor’s program will also include electives courses where you can gain accounting skills, psychology skills, and math skills. This education path is a great option for those planning to further their education and get a law degree or a doctoral degree.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Criminal Justice
- Florida State University – Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology
- University of Pennsylvania – Criminology Bachelor’s Degree
- Washington State University – Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Northeastern University – Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
- University of Maryland Global Campus – Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
Criminal Justice Master’s Degree
A criminal justice master’s degree can take between two to three years and allows you to pursue a wide range of specialized criminal justice careers. Depending on your career goals, you can choose a criminal justice program that specializes in crime analysis, cyber crime investigations, or forensic science. Gaining advanced degrees will open up further job opportunities.
With a master’s degree you can apply for jobs at the federal level, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. A graduate degree program is also a great option for those looking to enter the academic and research fields to get a doctorate degree.
Best Master’s Degree Programs in Criminal Justice
- The University of Arizona Global Campus – Online Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice
- Boston University – Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Northeastern University – Online Master’s of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- University of Oklahoma – Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- University of California Irvine – Online Master’s in Criminology, Law and Society
Criminal Justice Career Overview: Is a Criminal Justice Career Worth It?
Criminal Justice Job Outlook
The job outlook for criminal justice professions varies by the profession you pursue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for police and detectives is seven percent between 2020 to 2030.
BLS further reports a 16 percent job growth rate for forensic science technicians between 2020 to 2030. Overall, the projected job outlook for criminal justice fields is higher than average but varies according to job specialization.
Criminal Justice Salaries
The average annual salaries for criminal justice professionals differ depending on their qualifications, work experience, and position. According to the same report by BLS, police and detectives earn an average annual salary of $67,290, while the annual wage of forensic science technicians is around $60,590 per year.
However, if you work at a senior or specialized criminal justice position, your median salary will increase. According to PayScale, the average salary for a federal special agent is $88,687 per year. Similarly, according to PayScale, the average salary of a professor of criminal justice is $79,374 annually.
Best Jobs for Criminal Justice Majors: What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
There are plenty of jobs available for criminal justice majors offered by several sectors, including federal agencies, educational institutions, information technology companies, and private security agencies. The required work experience, education qualifications, and specialized training will differ depending on your chosen career path.
Several jobs in the private security field and in law enforcement only require a high school diploma or GED. These include firefighters, patrol officers, border patrol agents, and security guards. These jobs focus on professional development through job training instead of advanced educational qualifications.
Best Jobs for Criminal Justice Associate Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer | Southern New Hampshire University | $113,860 |
| Private Detectives | Southern New Hampshire University | $96,950 |
| Patrol Officer | Trine University | $93,000 |
| Legal Assistant | Virginia College | $85,160 |
| Correctional Officer | Delta College | $81,360 |
Police Officer
- Average Salary: $67,290
- Job Outlook: seven percent
The primary duty of a police officer is to enforce constitutional law and prevent crimes. Depending on your rank and position you can work in records keeping, traffic duty, street patrol, or crime investigation. You do not need an associate’s degree for a career in law enforcement, only a GED.
However, a criminal justice associate degree teaches you criminal law, governmental policies, and criminal justice ethics which are in-demand skills in the police officer job market. Having an associate degree will give you an advantage in the eyes of potential employers and prove you can carry out law enforcement duties.
Private Detective
- Average Salary: $53,320
- Job Outlook: 13 percent
If you want a self-employed career and love criminal investigation and researching illegal activity, then a private detective career is a great option for you. Similar to police officers, you can become a private detective with a high school diploma, however, an associate’s degree will equip you with additional skills.
The job responsibilities of these criminal investigators depend on their client’s requirements and can include investigations of financial crimes, past behaviors, and legal records. Their jobs can also include in-field investigations that have odd work hours and involve some risk.
Patrol Officer
- Average Salary: $53,528
- Job Outlook: 7%*
*BLS categorizes patrol officers under police officers
Patrol officers are in-field police officers who patrol the street to prevent crime and arrest criminals to keep communities safe. They also respond to 911 calls. Getting an associate degree for your patrol officer career is highly beneficial as it teaches you government laws and policies.
Legal Assistant
- Average Salary: $52,920
- Job Outlook: 12 percent
If you want to gain in-field experience before going to law school or taking the bar exam, legal assistant is the career choice for you. Your job duties include assisting lawyers in case research and filing documents. You are also responsible for setting appointments for court dates.
An associates degree in criminal justice or paralegal studies will help you get a legal assistant position as it covers the foundations of governmental policies and criminal law. Legal assistants can work at government agencies and private law firms.
Correctional Officer
- Average Salary: $48,000
- Job Outlook: -seven percent
The job of a correctional officer is considered risky as it involves holding and safeguarding people who are awaiting trials. The job outlook for corrections officers is currently on the decline. Most jobs require a high school diploma but if you want to work for federal agencies you should aim for an associate degree.
Best Jobs for Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Special Federal Agent | Arizona State University | $152,000* |
| Secret Service Agent | University of Central Florida | $118,000 |
| Homicide Detective | University of Central Florida | $110,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | University of Central Florida | $100,910 |
| Crime Scene Investigator | University of Central Florida | $80,000 |
*The salary for special FBI agents is mentioned above on a PayScale report
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Special Federal Agent
- Average Salary: $88,687
- Job Outlook: seven percent*
*Special federal agents fall under the BLS job outlook report on police officers and detectives
To become a special federal agent you need to be well versed in U.S. governmental policies and federal laws. Your job includes working at federal law enforcement agencies and dealing with federal crimes. Other duties include investigating crimes, taking witness statements, conducting national security investigations, and aiding state law agencies.
Secret Service Agent
- Average Salary: $65,000
- Job Outlook: seven percent*
*Secret service agents fall under the BLS job outlook report on police officers and detectives
Secret service agents are homeland security professionals who provide security to government officials and national monuments. Their job duties include undercover work, providing security services, performing interviews with witnesses, and investigating federal crimes. Getting a bachelor’s to learn federal laws and become familiar with the criminal justice system will help kickstart this career.
Homicide Detective
- Average Salary: $75,337
- Job Outlook: seven percent*
*Homicide detectives fall under the BLS job outlook report on police officers and detectives
As a homicide detective you work with law enforcement officers to conduct criminal investigations of murders. Getting a college degree in criminal justice will help you advance on your career path to a senior position. Daily tasks include evidence collection and crime scene investigation.
Forensic Science Technician
- Average Salary: $60,590
- Job Outlook: 16 percent
You can get a bachelor’s degree in forensics to find work as a forensic science technician. Your job responsibilities include collecting forensic evidence and conducting forensic tests in a laboratory to aid the evidence collection process. These professionals also act as expert witnesses by providing statements during the legal proceedings of a court case and aiding the overall crime investigation.
Crime Scene Investigator
- Average Salary: $48,607
- Job Outlook: 16 percent*
*Crime Scene Investigators fall under the BLS job outlook report on forensic science technicians
The job duties of a crime scene investigator are similar to a forensic science technician, as they also collect forensic evidence, including fingerprints, hair samples, and DNA, from a crime scene. You can become a crime scene investigator by getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, forensic criminology, or chemistry.
Best Jobs for Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber Investigator | Florida State University | $168,500 |
| Criminal Profiler | The University of Denver | $130,000 |
| Correctional Services Specialist | Washington University | $98,510 |
| Social Worker | Washington University | $85,820 |
| Policy Analyst | Harvard University Kennedy | $84,000 |
Cyber Investigator
- Average Salary: $90,725
- Job Outlook: 33 percent*
*BLS categorizes cyber investigators under information security analysts
You can get a Master’s Degree in Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation to enter this profession. Your job duties include dealing with cyber legal matters, collecting evidence, and doing threat analysis for cyber crimes. You can work with law enforcement officers to solve cyber crimes.
Criminal Profiler
- Average Salary: $62,058
- Job Outlook: seven percent*
*BLS categorizes criminal profilers under police and detectives
The job of a criminal profiler is to analyze and interpret crime data and interview witnesses to form an accurate criminal profile prediction. Depending on your role you can work at national or state level law enforcement agencies and profile criminals based on behavioral patterns. You can get a Master’s in Criminal Behavior, criminology, or forensic psychology to enter this profession.
Correctional Services Specialist
- Average Salary: $55,690
- Job Outlook: four percent
Correctional services specialists, or correctional treatment specialists, play the role of correctional counselors for inmates released on parole. Their job duties include working with parole officers to monitor inmates and help them reintegrate into society.
Although the educational requirement for these criminal justice specialists is a bachelor’s degree, getting additional education by attending graduate school will accelerate your career growth. You can get a master’s in criminal justice, psychology, or sociology to enter this field.
Social Worker
- Average Salary: $51,760
- Job Outlook: 12 percent
The job of a social worker is a highly specialized one and requires expertise in sociology, psychology, and interpersonal skills. A Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice or social services will help you become a social worker in the criminal justice field.
The job responsibilities of a social worker vary depending on their role, but generally they work with individuals and groups that need financial, mental, and physical help. They assess people’s situations and recommend solutions to help support them.
Policy Analyst
- Average Salary: $60,096
- Job Outlook: nine percent
*BLS categorizes policy analysts under political scientist
Policy analysts use quantitative and qualitative data and devise solutions for integration in the current legislative policies. They take political climate and social issues into account as they evaluate current policies and recommend amendments. You can get a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, criminal justice, or public policy analysis to enter this field.
Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Criminal Justice
- Showcase your interpersonal skills. A key part of landing a job in criminal justice is mastering interpersonal skills. They include empathy, communication, listening, and leadership.
- Highlight your ethics and integrity. Criminal justice jobs include working in social and psychological fields and require a strong understanding of human behavior. In order to make accurate, legal, and ethical decisions you need to showcase these skills.
- Stay updated on law amendments. If you want a career in a law enforcement agency, you must showcase your knowledge of current affairs. Staying updated on policy or law changes will improve your chances and help you ace your job interview.
There are several rewarding careers available for criminal justice majors for every level of education. They can work in social services, federal agency departments, or criminal justice departments. The key to getting a criminal justice job lies in your interpersonal skills, professional experience, educational qualifications, and work ethic.
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