Exceptional communication skills are important since criminal justice professionals interact with a number of different people. They must speak with offenders in a respectful and authoritative manner and in return, offenders should feel comfortable approaching them when issues arise. Criminal justice professionals must be emotionally stable and be able to handle mentally straining situations. There are often in high stress situations therefore they should encompass effective coping mechanisms. Critical thinking skills are important. Criminal justice professionals must be able to assess different offenders’ needs to determine the best form of treatment for them.

Criminal Justice Degree Levels Available

Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Obtaining an associate’s degree in criminal justice will provide students with the knowledge and training needed to acquire entry-level positions in the criminal justice field. The associate’s degree program in criminal justice is generally a two-year program and students will take courses in areas such as criminology, juvenile delinquency, constitutional law, criminal law, and ethics. Due to the short duration of this program and the opportunity for professional employment upon completion, students are drawn to enroll however an associate’s degree in criminal justice may be limiting with regards to advancement and salary. Furthering one’s education by attaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will open up more career opportunities for the student. Professions available to those with an associate’s degree in criminal justice include probation officer, security personnel, and police officer.

 

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice takes approximately four years to complete and upon graduation, students have acquired a solid groundwork of knowledge, sufficient for professional employment in the criminal justice field or for continuing onto a master’s degree program in criminal justice. Criminal investigation, criminal procedures, legal research, evidence laws, forensic science, corrections, and loss prevention are just a few of the subject areas covered within these four years. Occupations available to those upon graduation include criminal investigator, police officer, corrections officer, private investigator, and special investigations officer.

 

Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

During the master’s degree program in criminal justice, students are introduced to and begin conducting research in the criminal justice field. This two-year program requires students to work closely with a faculty member on a thesis, based on original research conducted by the student. Research conducted for the thesis will be focused on an area of specialization within the criminal justice field. Alongside the thesis work, students must take courses in areas such as statistics in criminology, criminology research methods, police and society, evidence and law, and judicial processes and maintain a high GPA. Nearing the end of the second year, students defend their thesis and are able to acquire professional work in the criminal justice field as a criminal justice teacher, special criminal agent, or private detective.

 

Admission Requirements

For most colleges and universities, the admission requirements for an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the criminal justice field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.

 

The application process for a master’s degree program in criminal justice can be quite substantial. Colleges and universities usually have a list of requirements which include (but are not limited to): a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field, a GPA of about 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale), test scores from the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) which should be at or above the 80th percentile, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae, two or three reference letters written by faculty members who can vouch for the student, and an application form along with the application fee.

 

Tuition and Accreditation

There are numerous factors which affect college and university tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. However, below are the average ranges of tuition fees for the various degrees. An associate’s degree in criminal justice may vary from $ 8,085 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. A master’s degree in criminal justice may vary from $ 8,763 to $ 20,368 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

 

It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or university which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who obtain an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in criminal justice should enroll in a college or university accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

 

Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Criminal Justice Field

Below are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the criminal justice field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Therefore, salaries for the same profession may vary individually.

• criminal investigator $ 67,860 to $ 87,860
• detective $ 72,060 to $ 92,060
• police officer $ 47,770 to $ 67,770
• criminal justice teacher $ 52,770 to $ 72,770
• probation officer $ 42,380 to $ 62,380

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