Friday, January 13, 2012

Taking Note of a Criminal Justice Degree

When it comes to a criminal justice degree, there are various types. The most basic is the certificate degree. Depending on which field you choose, if you are able to finish the whole course, you will get your certificate afterwards.

There are schools that offer a basic certificate program for criminal justice, which provides classes that are an overview of the field. There are some people who use these certificates to get jobs and then there are those who enroll in higher level degrees after getting their certificates. What you have here is not only ideal for shifting careers but also ideal for the development of your skills at work.

There was a time when all that was required for a career in law enforcement was a diploma in high school but this is no longer the case for police groups are now looking for applicants that have an associate’s degree in criminal justice. They are doing this because the criminal justice system is becoming more complex by the minute. Employers find it a waste of time to even consider someone who does not have the basic knowhow in the field.

For any kind of associate’s degree, it takes about two years to complete. Aside from exposing students to criminology, sociology, and psychology, this program will also help them develop their skills when it comes to criminal justice. The criminal justice system has technical aspects that have to be addressed and some associate’s degree programs focus on these.

Someone who has a bachelor's degree has a certain sense of commitment that employers like to see in their applicants and when it comes to this course, it can easily land you a position in any criminal justice field. In law enforcement, investigative and detective work are fast rising occupations and people that are degree holders can have the chance to work in these kinds of positions. There are a lot of things that private investigators do for companies from solving in office crimes to dealing with suspicious injury cases.

The thing about individuals who are bachelor’s degree holders is that they can engage in different forms of employment from agency work to administrative positions in the judicial system. Although this type of program includes subjects that are also part of the associate’s degree, they are not discussed in depth unlike what is done with bachelor's degree programs. If you are not a degree holder, you might be limited to the administrative positions.

A bachelor’s degree can be completed for four years. There are several criminal justice programs that are offered by educational facilities like the John Jay College for Criminal Justice and some of these are deviant behavior, criminology, criminal justice, forensic psychology, and forensic science. It is possible to take an entry level job in the field if you have a bachelor’s degree but you can also take further studies to advance in your profession.

For those who are able to graduate with a masters in criminal justice, they will be able to work effectively in administrative and corrective fields of justice. Aside from gaining entry into the academia, it is possible for those with a masters in criminal justice to engage in jobs as court officers and the like. When it comes to criminal justice graduates, a number of them engage in social work while some study to improve their current line of work.

Some people take doctoral degrees in criminal justice and when it comes to this, they become criminal justice instructors in schools. Much tougher than a masteral program in the same field is a doctoral degree in criminal justice. The course work is truly laborious and every student needs to have great oral and written skills and aside from exams, there is a final dissertation too.

Armed with a criminal justice degree, you can easily find work in the criminal justice system. Aside from crime laboratories, court jobs and a position in the state police department are some of the available options for degree holders who wish to work for the state but local options are available as well. There are also many private sector openings such as insurance agencies or security companies.



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