About The Administration Of Justice Program
Pursue Your Passion for Criminal Law, Launch an Administration of Justice Career
Santa Monica Colleges Administration of Justice program prepares students for careers in local, state, and federal law enforcement security and courtroom operations. Our courses familiarize you with the American justice system. Learn about crime causes, the role of administration of justice practitioners, the role of law enforcement, evidence procedures, juvenile procedures, and criminal law. Apply principles of the justice system constitutional and procedural considerations affecting an arrest and search and seizure human relations and concepts of criminal law.
Students completing this program will be prepared to transfer and major in criminal justice. Start and grow in your career in administration of justice and criminal law, and access a broad range of job opportunities.
Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
- Education Requirement: Bachelors Degree
- Expected Job Growth: 7% increase
- Employment Locations: State, Local, and National Law Enforcement Agencies
- Average Salary: $77,210
Drug Enforcement Administration Agents play a huge role in the war on drugs by enforcing laws on controlled substances and preventing the distribution of illegal narcotics. DEAs conduct investigations within the United States primarily, but they do conduct international investigations and work closely with Border Patrol and Customs Enforcement agents if the United States is affected.
- Education Requirement: Bachelors Degree
- Expected Job Growth: 4% increase
- Employment Locations: State or National Government
- Average Salary: $54,080
Youth Correctional Counselors work closely with juvenile law offenders in correctional facilities to help them transition into productive citizens. Their main responsibility is to counsel juvenile offenders individually and in groups in hopes of deterring them from committing further crimes in the future that could land them in incarceration.
Create Your Success Story In Administration Of Justice
Serve your community and become an agent of justice through Compton College’s Administration of Justice Program. The Administration of Justice program provides students with the ability to apply principles of the justice system, constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure, human relations, and concepts of criminal law as well as demonstrate proficiency in report writing and record keeping.
Students will have the criminal justice skills and knowledge to transfer to an advanced program or enter the field for on-the-job training. Courses include General Psychology, Criminal Procedures, Forensic Crime Scene Investigation, Legal Aspects of Evidence, and more.
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Is Criminal Justice A Good Major
In general, obtaining your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can provide you with a number of exciting career opportunities. Along with jobs in law enforcement, corrections, rehabilitative services, and other public service fields, your background in criminal justice can serve as the foundation for law school and a career as an attorney. Social workers, forensic scientists, and professional educators also benefit from the skills and knowledge gained from a criminal justice degree.
Pursuing a criminal justice career can be challenging. For example, law enforcement officers are often required to have a high degree of physical fitness and strength. Additionally, the stress involved in life-or-death decision making or providing rehabilitative services to juveniles or other people in need can result in emotional stress if youre not prepared to take on these challenges. Empathy and fast, accurate reflexes also can be critical elements for success in this in-demand and varied field.
Criminal justice careers do offer significant benefits for those with the perseverance and determination needed to achieve success:
Considering the various criminal justice career options available to you can help you to make the right choices regarding your educational and employment goals.
Why A Bachelors In Criminal Justice Administration
While not all careers in criminal justice require a degree, a bachelors in criminal justice administration can open doors to opportunities and continuing education that can elevate your career. Most federal positions at agencies such as the FBI and CIA require a bachelors degree and additional training. Positions that need specialized technical knowledge, such as crime scene technicians, also require post-secondary credentials. And while having a bachelors degree or other advanced law enforcement education is not a requirement for police officers, a degree in criminal justice can give you a leg up at the police academy.
A degree in criminal justice makes you more attractive to employers, says Damon Martin, academic program director for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Your chances of getting in with a good agency increase when you have a bachelors degree. Precincts are no longer looking for officers with the old-school, night-stick-and-pepper-spray philosophy of fighting crime. They are looking for well-rounded candidates who are going to make good decisions. They want officers out there who can interface with the public, who have skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution. Maybe youre called to a domestic violence issue. They want to know, How do you approach that? How do you solve that? Were looking for officers who are prepared to deal with these realities.
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Where Can You Earn A Criminal Justice Degree
You can earn a criminal justice degree online or in-person at most colleges or universities. Criminal justice degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. While associates degree programs only take about two years to complete, these types of degree programs are typically offered at community colleges. On the other hand, bachelors degree programs are offered at both public and private four-year colleges and universities. Graduate degrees in criminal justice are offered at several public and private colleges and universities as well.
The Best Criminal Justice Careers
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Justice Administration Degree Program Curriculum
No justice administration college degree program is exactly like the next. Each program has its own unique strengths, and its own unique philosophy, mission, and academic focus.
Still, most programs have some academic overlap. For instance, most degree programs emphasize an integration of the fields of criminology, criminal justice, and sociology. Students often engage in extensive and intensive research, learning about and making use of various research methods. It also common for students enrolled in a justice administration degree program to conduct in-depth studies of various theoretical perspectives in the fields of criminal justice and the study of criminology. Students may also be required to complete coursework in the areas of international criminal justice, domestic and international criminal justice policy, and social control systems.
Beyond classroom course requirements, students may also be expected to complete fieldwork within his or her chosen concentration. The particular fieldwork requirements may vary, but they can often be fulfilled through an internship program and subsequent research and writing.
Masters Degree In Criminal Justice
If youre interested in the root causes of crime if youre interested in creating conditions that prevent crime from happening in the first place if youre interested in making the world a safer place for everybody then a career in criminal justice may be for you.
Monroe College offers excellent degree programs in Criminal Justice, including an associate and bachelors option. But with a masters degree in Criminal Justice from the King Graduate School, youll be even more prepared to become a leader in the field. Whether youre interested in working at the state, local, or even federal level, youll be ready to take on challenging, meaningful, and stable work at the highest level.
Read on to find out more about the kinds of jobs you can get with a masters degree in Criminal Justice.
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Public Safety Or Correctional Officer
Average annual salary: $46,673 Education requirements: those employed by federal prisons must have a bachelor’s degree to be eligible.
Perhaps you desire a larger sense of responsibility uniform and all. There are certainly options for that as either a public safety officer or a correctional officer. You would have the advantage of working at local, state, and federal levels, all while maintaining safety and protection.
Public safety officers are responsible for patrolling assigned areas and keeping them safe. They often perform medical treatment in emergency situations and can make arrests when absolutely necessary. Correctional officers do the same, though typically within prisons, jails, or other correctional institutions, watching over and protecting incarcerated individuals.
Can You Earn A Degree In Criminal Justice Online
Yes, you can earn a degree in criminal justice online. In fact, many schools offer the option to earn a criminal justice degree online, whether your goal is to get an associates, bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree in this field. Online degrees can be a great choice for students who thrive in an online format or for those work or life schedules wont allow for in-person learning. Want to learn more about your online school options? Check out the top 15 online criminal degree programs.
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Top Jobs You Can Land With A Criminal Justice Degree
From the investigative agencies to the courts to the correctional system and beyond, criminal justice is an ideal field for anyone with a commitment to community values, a belief in the rule of law and a dedication to serving others.
So what does a career in criminal justice involve?
In the most literal sense, a career in criminal justice involves administering justice to individuals who have committed or been accused of committing crimes. But the spectrum of criminal justice jobs spans a wide range of interests and specialties.
The important and necessary work of defending and protecting the rights and safety of others involves a career path that typically includes a focused approach to education and training a degree in criminal justice can prepare you to serve your community and uphold values of justice and peace throughout your career.
Along with the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and a positive impact on your country and community, the career outlook is particularly bright for those who earn a bachelors or masters degree in criminal justice, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and above. Here is a closer look at a selection of familiar criminal justice jobs:
Criminal Justice Jobs: 11 Careers You Can Pursue With A Criminal Justice Degree
What comes to mind when you hear someone’s working toward a degree in criminal justice? Many of us might be quick to assume they are interested in a career in law enforcement, but thats not always the case. In fact, there are plenty of exciting career paths available with a bachelors degree in criminal justice.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunities for growth or employment in the criminal justice field are rising rapidly. A degree in criminal justice is not only for those who are dedicated to fighting crime , as a degree in criminal justice doesn’t guarantee you’ll ever touch a pair of handcuffs. Here are a few options that depict the wide array of paths to choose from when seeking a career in the criminal justice field.
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How Long Does It Take To Earn A Criminal Justice Degree
Like other bachelorâs degree programs, it typically takes four years of full-time study to earn a criminal justice degree. There is no difference in the timelines of administration of justice and criminal justice degree programs. Students who have transferrable credits, including Advanced Placement credits from college-level high school courses, may be able to obtain their degree sooner.
Degrees in the justice field do not require laboratory learning experiences. This means that universities are often able to offer these programs entirely online. Online classes allow for flexible scheduling and can help students to more easily balance school and part-time work commitments.
Private Detectives And Investigators
Private detectives and investigators work for clients instead of law enforcement agencies. They may conduct surveillance and perform research for individuals, lawyers or companies. The average private investigator earned $32,130 to $98,070 per year, according to BLS. Demand for qualified investigators is projected to grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030.
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Bachelors Degree In Criminal Justice
When you pursue your bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, youll build the same strong foundation that you would with an associate degree and then go even deeper. Youll explore other facets of the criminal justice system, including:
- Research methods in criminal justice
- Diversity in the criminal justice system, and how it affects operational practices
- Psychology of abnormal behavior
- Criminology exploring the biological, psychological, and sociological explanations of criminal behavior
- Victimology understanding the relationships between victims, criminal offenders, and members of law enforcement
Youll learn the fundamentals of communication, so that you can express your ideas clearly and forcefully. Youll also take your education beyond the classroom, with field experience built in as a part of your major. By working in police agencies, probation offices, detention and correctional facilities, and more, youll get to apply what you learn and see how professionals apply it themselves.
A Career In Justice A Future Of Freedom
We live in a country of laws which means well always need people to enforce them. Theres no limit to where you can go with a degree in Criminal Justice, and there will never be a shortage of opportunities. When you pursue a career in the criminal justice field, you become an essential part of the machinery that keeps society intact. And youre taking control of your future.
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Comparing Popular Criminal Justice Jobs
Careers in criminal justice generally fall into three main branches: law enforcement, courts, and corrections/rehabilitation. Each of these branches features similarities and differences regarding job duties, salary expectations, required education/experience, and work conditions.
With so many options available, aspiring criminal justice professionals often find it difficult to decide which path to pursue. Use the tables below to compare key details across nine common criminal justice jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get With An Associate Degree In Criminal Justice
Whether your dream is to work in business, the nonprofit sector, or even government, an associate degree in
When you work toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice, youll be working toward a deeper knowledge of the world we live in. Youll also be preparing yourself for a stable, rewarding career that will grow as you do. As you study, youll discover where your specific passions lie and youll develop the skills to pursue them. Below are just a few of the exciting job opportunities that await you.
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What Can I Do With A Degree In Criminal Justice
A criminal justice degree prepares you to pursue a wide range of entry-level positions in fields like law enforcement, investigation, public safety, corrections, and social services. Each of these fields involves extensive work with the general public. Criminal justice professionals work to ensure the protection of citizens, property security, and justice enactment.
Criminal Justice Vs Justice Studies Degree: What Is The Difference
Some schools may offer justice studies degrees in addition to, or in lieu of, criminal justice degrees. These programs are not quite the same, although there is considerable overlap. A justice studies degree explores criminal justice through a social lens, whereas a criminal justice primarily focuses on the enforcement of laws.
If you opt to major in justice studies, you may have additional career options you could pursue. For example, you may decide to work toward becoming a social worker by earning a masterâs degree in social work. However, a justice studies major could also opt to pursue a career in law enforcement, corrections or the court system.
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Administration Of Justice Degrees Vs Criminal Justice Degrees: Which Is Right For You
Each of these degree programs can lead to challenging and potentially rewarding careers in law enforcement. For example, administration of justice degrees help prepare students for roles that involve direct engagement with the criminal justice system, such as police officer and customs agent. However, if youre interested in stepping into a similar law enforcement role or taking your career in a different direction by delving into the study of criminology, criminal justice degrees offer opportunities to gain an understanding of the criminal justice system in the U.S. as well as the social theories pertaining to the causes of crime. Learn more about how can prepare you for any law enforcement path you want to take.
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Federal Bureau Of Investigation Agent
- Education Requirement: Bachelors Degree
- Expected Job Growth: 7% increase
- Employment Locations: Federal Government
- Average Salary: $63,021
A Federal Bureau of Investigation agent works to protect the United States from espionage, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and organized crime. Their responsibilities range from field work to research. Working as an FBI agent can be very dangerous and often requires traveling and unusual hours.
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Administration Of Justice Vs Criminal Justice Degree: What Is The Difference
If you are passionate about protecting public safety by entering the justice field, you will need to choose between an administration of justice degree and a criminal justice degree. This choice raises an important question: What is the difference between these two similar-sounding areas of study?
There is indeed considerable overlap between these two degree programs. They both cover many of the same topics and teach many of the same skills. However, these two degrees are not quite the same thing.
An administration of justice degree program will explore the various branches, agencies and roles within the criminal justice system. Students will learn about such topics as the following:
- The roles and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, the court system and the corrections system
- The principles and procedures of justice, or how the three branches of the criminal justice system establish ethical and effective procedures
- The philosophy and development of criminal law, with a look at the classifications of crime, case law and methodologies
- The complex relationship between the criminal justice branches and the multicultural communities they serve, with an emphasis on conflict resolution and professional ethics
Criminal justice students will also study topics such as criminal behavior, victimology, threat assessment and professional ethics in policing.
