A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can be the first step into an exciting, fulfilling and lucrative criminal justice career. Justice means keeping people and communities safe, and a career in criminal justice ushers you into a life filled with purpose. It is about waking up every morning with a commitment to right the wrongs in our society while ensuring everyone is treated equally in the eyes of the law.
Before you enroll in a degree program, you must first figure out the area of the criminal justice field that interests you the most and where you want to go on the professional ladder.
What Will I Learn with a Degree in Criminal Justice?
A degree in criminal justice encompasses three aspects of the justice system: law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. As a criminal justice major, you will be equipped with skills, knowledge, and competencies to successfully navigate the complexities of all three components.
Some of the coursework of a criminal justice degree include:
- The History, Theory, and Practice of Criminal Law
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Procedure and Process
- Diversity in the Criminal Justice System
- Criminal Investigation Methods
- Psychology of Abnormal Behaviors
- Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Criminology and Victimology
- Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Criminal Justice?
A degree in criminal justice helps you gain a more profound knowledge of the world we live in. It also prepares you for a stable, rewarding career that will grow as you do. The criminal justice field can offer several fulfilling job opportunities in crime prevention, victim advocacy, corrections and rehabilitation, and investigation. Below are just a few of the career tracks available with a criminal justice degree (included are the 2021 median annual salaries for each job, come jobs require additional education):
- Lawyer: Median Annual Salary- $122,960
- Police Officer: Median Annual Salary- $54,635.
- Homeland Security Agent: Median Annual Salary- $77,000
- Homicide Detective: Median Annual Salary- $74,380
- Forensic Accountant: Median Annual Salary -$71,560
- Forensic Psychologist: Median Annual Salary- $69,510
- Criminal Investigator: Median Annual Salary- $67,170
- Forensic Science Technician: Median Salary- $59,150
- Security Manager: Median Annual Salary- $70,457
- Corrections Officer: Median Annual Salary- $69,610
- Crime Scene Technician: Median Annual Salary $48,905
- Paralegal: Median Annual Salary: $49,172.
Source: Payscale
Enroll for a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Today
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that criminal justice jobs are growing faster than average and are expected to grow by 5% from 2019 to 2029. If you love helping others and want to make a difference in your local community, enroll in a degree in criminal justice at Florida National University (FNU) today.
The goal of the Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice (BSCJ) Program offered by FNU is to advance your ability to communicate complex data both verbally and in writing, expand your analytical and critical thinking skills, prepare you for higher-level positions within the criminal justice sector, prepare you to gain admission to graduate-level programs and more. Get more information on FNU’s Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice program by requesting information or calling FNU at 305-821-3333.
