Homeland Security Jobs for Criminal Justice Degree Graduates
It's unfortunate, but we live in a dangerous world. As concerns about security for people, property, and our borders grow, the importance of the Department of Homeland Security, formed in 2002 in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, has also grown.
The Department of Homeland Security lists a variety of job opportunities for studetns and recent college graduates, including those for graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice. Although jobs with this department can be highly competitive, opportunities are likely to remain available for those with the right qualifications. Since concerns for the interests of our country and the safety of our citizens remain high.
Studying for a Criminal Justice Degree
Typically, a Criminal Justice program with a concentration in Homeland Security would give you the ability to do the following:
- Follow surveillance and security procedures
- Become familiar with procedures and policies of the Department of Homeland Security
- Learn the essentials of intelligence gathering, as applied to protection of U.S. infrastructures, property, and leaders
- Study legal issues involved with Homeland Security
- Learn about NIMS (National Incident Management System) and how it applies to Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Jobs
As a graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice, and an interest in working for the Department of Homeland Security, what type of agencies might you hope to work for? Here are the major ones:
- Border Patrol
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)
- Secret Service
- Coast Guard
- Federal Protective Service
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
All these agencies hire officers and agents to work in law enforcement securing the nation's borders, waterways, seaports, and airports. Duties can range from providing security to research and development of security technologies to responding to natural disasters and terrorist assaults, as well as analyzing intelligence reports.
Border Patrol
One of the largest U.S. border security agencies, the Border Patrol enforces laws regarding terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and illegal immigration. The agency is responsible for 6,000 miles of land border shared with Mexico and Canada and for more than 2,000 miles of coastline.
Secret Service
The Secret Service's mission has been expanding as technology advances and cyber crimes increase. Special agents not only are responsible for protecting the nation's leaders, but also investigate financial crimes such as credit card and access device fraud, in addition to cyber attacks on banking and telecommunications.
The Uniformed Division of the Secret Service secures facilities and venues for those in Secret Service protection programs. The Uniformed Division also provides physical security for the White House Complex and the residence of the Vice President at the Naval Observatory, as well as the Treasury Department Building and the foreign diplomatic missions located in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Coast Guard
One of five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard is responsible for maritime law enforcement, ice breaking, environmental protection, search and rescue, aids to navigation, port security, and military readiness.
Federal Protective Service
Agents in the Federal Protective Service are charged with protecting federal facilities, their occupants, and visitors. Training for these agents enables them to provide superior security services, while sharing intelligence and information resources with a network of private, tribal, territorial, federal, state, and local partners.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center offers standardized training for a wide variety of law enforcement agents and officers working for agencies such as these:
- Agricultural
- Tribal
- Land management
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife
- Border Patrol
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- U.S. Marshals Service
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Federal Aviation Agency
- Bureau of Prisons
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- and many others.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) works with law enforcement authorities at ports of entry to screen foreign visitors, returning American citizens, and cargo entering the country. This agency is concerned with antiterrorism, immigrants, smuggling, agriculture protection and trade compliance.
How to Work in Homeland Security
A four-year degree in Criminal Justice is one avenue that may lead to a job in Homeland Security. Since jobs as agents and officers are highly competitive, you'll have a better chance of procuring a top job if you're in good physical condition and if you have good grades and a good work history.
Individuals who make it through an application review process may receive tentative job offers, and if accepted, the individual must receive a security clearance before the offer becomes official. The security screening may take on average three months, but it depends on the level of security clearance required, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
By enrolling in ECPI University's accelerated learning program, you could earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security in as little as 2.5 years. So contact ECPI University today and see if this program is a good fit for you!
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Homeland Security - Bachelor’s
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