Online Criminal Justice Degree Colleges and Universities
An online criminal justice degree is a perfect degree for a person who loves justice and wants to help make society a safer place. With population growth the criminal justice job market is growing and expanding. The variety of career opportunities one has with an online degree in criminal justice is expansive. The skill sets one can expect to obtain through online criminal justice colleges and universities are as diverse as the careers themselves.
An online criminal justice degree will launch students into the professional job market well prepared and ready to control crime, enforce laws, apprehend criminals, prosecute offenders, assist victims, or prevent crime. All of these aspects are a part of criminal justice and are options for a student of criminal justice.
Program Courses: Overview
There are many online colleges and universities that have wonderful programs to offer students interested in criminal justice degrees. Some of the top colleges have online criminal justice degrees that will prepare students to be competitive professionals in the field of criminal justice. There are many different specializations in the criminal justice field. Students can specialize in law enforcement careers, correctional careers, forensic science careers, legal/court careers, or private security careers. Many colleges emphasize hands on training in their criminal justice degrees. Some colleges attempt to balance theory and application by providing opportunities for internships and teaching practicums. Some of the primary accredited Online Criminal Justice Courses are:
- Crime and criminology
- Criminal justice ethics
- Judicial process
- Juvenile justice and delinquency
- Introduction to corrections
- Introduction to policing
- Criminal law
- Criminal justice research methods and statistics
Skills Taught
The skills a student can expect to learn in criminal justice include good communication and social skills. These skills are important in all aspects of criminal justice, from law enforcement to forensic science. Obviously there will be different skill sets needed depending on a student’s desired specialty. For example, a police officer will learn and develop a different skill set then a forensic scientist. However, every criminal justice student will become knowledgeable in the United States criminal justice system and will gain proficient knowledge in law and judicial processes. Others skills one will gain from top online criminal justice colleges are:
- Proper application of laws to one’s field
- Excellent writing skills
- Great motor skills
- Physically discipline (esp. for law enforcement)
Popular Career Paths
The job market in the criminal justice system is expanding. There are more and more opportunities out there every day for hopeful graduates of an accredited online criminal justice university. The most popular career options are law enforcements, forensic science, legal careers, and corrections officers. Other employment opportunities one can get with an online criminal justice degree are:
- Detective
- Animal cruelty officer
- Corrections officer
- Parole officer
- FBI special agent
- Judge
- Defense attorney
Field Outlook & Salary Information
The possible job opportunities for a student of criminal justice are vast. Due to great population growth the need for workers in all realms of criminal justice is growing. The salaries rank anywhere from a police officer’s salary at, $47,460 to a judge’s salary at 110,220.
Continuing Your Education
As the criminal justice system expands so does the necessity for higher educated professionals. For one looking to lead in the criminal justice system an online masters degree in criminal justice can really help. Even more so a doctorate in criminal justice can launch you forward as a competitive professional in the criminal justice system. There are many online criminal justice and criminology degrees available for the ambitious student.
A career in criminal justice has not only a lot to offer its students, but also a lot to offer society. The benefits of an online degree in criminal justice are as expansive as the career opportunities.