How Does a Criminal Justice Degree Help in Life?

Thinking about a future in criminal justice? The good news is you can break into the field with a high school diploma, and in most cases, by achieving certification through a training academy. You could work as a corrections officer, court clerk, crime scene analyst or criminal investigator, customs and border protection officer, deputy sheriff, state trooper, U.S. parks officer -- or any one of dozens of other positions -- just by graduating from high school.

But if you're interested in a more specialized position, then a college degree could help you reach those professional goals. Being a patrol cop is just fine when you're young and full of energy, but you may find the physical demands wearing as you age. There are many other positions in law enforcement which require you to flex your brain, not your muscles. 

What are the Benefits to Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor's degree may help you obtain a management position, which requires skills and education beyond high school. 

Further, a degree in criminal justice can help you expand your horizons in later life. For example, you might want to transition from police officer or detective into a lawyer or even a teacher. Having an educational background and experience in criminal justice can help you with the further studies you’ll need to attain a new position.

What to Expect

Here's a typical scenario of what to expect education-wise if you aspire to be a police officer or detective, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

First, you will likely need to be a U.S. citizen and be at least 21 years old. You will also likely need to meet somewhat rigorous physical and personal qualification requirements. You should be drug-free and not have any felony convictions.

You will have to have completed high school and then, will have to graduate from an agency's training academy. After academy, rookies usually must complete a period of on-the-job training.

To work in more specialized jobs, such as a fish and game warden with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you would probably need a college degree. Your state's natural resources department might even require, in addition to a college degree, some study in a related field, such as natural resources management or biology.

Federal agencies typically specify that a bachelor's degree is needed. For instance, DEA and FBI agents usually are college graduates.

How Higher Education Can Help You 

A degree in higher education can help open many doors in the criminal justice field. But there's more to it than just brandishing a piece of paper that proves you've successfully completed coursework. Sure, the education you receive will boost your knowledge of your field, but it also helps you perform better in ways you may not even be aware of, such as these:

• Improved written and oral communication skills. Officers must typically be able to communicate well with diverse types of people during investigations. They must also be able to make reports that explain precisely what occurred during an incident.
• Develop understanding of and empathy for a constituency. Those in the criminal justice field can profit from a better understanding of the people they serve. A well-trained officer with an educated, professional demeanor helps to lift the public profile of the department and increase public appreciation, while diminishing misunderstandings.
• Good judgment. A degree in higher education can improve your critical thinking skills so that you learn to make better, more informed decisions -- a real must in the often high-charged and tense situations an officer deals with.
• Leadership skills. Whether management is your goal or not, leadership skills will come in handy in just about any law enforcement setting. 

What's the Next Step?

Are you interested in a degree in the criminal justice field? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, ECPI University offers this degree program. With an emphasis in hands-on learning and accelerated classes, you could get the education you need to make a difference in the field. For more information, connect with a friendly ECPI University admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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