Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Duties of Criminal Justice Professionals
For those who want a career in law enforcement, criminal justice is the field to enter. Criminal justice professionals include parole officers, police officers, detectives, and prison guards. Their job is to ensure that communities are law-abiding, and that criminals are justly punished. Depending on what their job is, this may range from capturing criminals to collecting evidence used to prosecute them.
Top Criminal Justice Programs
These schools offer criminal justice degree programs, and are well-regarded:
- Ashford University
- Walden University
- Rasmussen College
- Strayer University
- Capella University
- Saint Leo University
- University of the Rockies
Career Opportunities
There is a steady demand for criminal justice professionals, especially police officers and parole officers. As the populations in cities increase, so does the need for more professionals to protect their communities. Criminal justice professionals work in settings such as courts, jails and prisons, private detective agencies, and in the police force.
Salaries in the field of criminal justice heavily depend on career choice and geographic region. Police officers typically earn from $37,000 to $53,000 per year, with police sergeants making between $50,000 and $65,000 per year. On the average, police chiefs earn $81,000 to $92,000 annually.
Educational Requirements
Depending upon the state’s requirements, specialized training is usually needed to become a police officer, with a bachelors degree needed for advancement. Some law enforcement agencies require a college degree, while others offer training programs that will allow job candidates to bypass having a degree. Common majors for those wanting a career in criminal justice include social work or criminal justice; other specialized degrees are available. As with many fields, the more advanced one’s education, the more job opportunities that are available, and the higher the earning potential.
Fortunately, those wanting to earn a degree in criminal justice can choose from distance learning programs. These online degree programs are often accelerated, meaning students complete their degree much faster than if they were in a traditional degree program. Associates, bachelors, and masters criminal justice degree programs are available online.
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