In the battle of good versus evil, things aren't always cut and dry. 

Motives, means, and opportunity present plenty of room for doubt. There are different degrees of criminal behavior--and sometimes a dead body isn't murder but merely a homicide. Sorting it all out can be confusing. Luckily, there are those who study criminal justice and join the ranks of the tens of thousands of people who work day-in and day-out to keep communities safe. 

Some earn their criminal justice degrees because they've always dreamed of protecting people. Others do it because they like the challenges offered by a career in law enforcement. And then there are those who appreciate the plethora of career opportunities they can explore. 

Here's a look at some of the things you can do with your criminal justice degree:

Become a Police Officer

There are nearly 15,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States (according to the FBI). These agencies employ police officers who work in small towns, counties, states, and large cities. The officers are at the tip of the spear when it comes to keeping communities safe. 

One of the nice things about working as a police officer is that the career provides ample career advancement opportunities. You can work as a patrol officer, an investigator, or rise through the ranks to serve in a leadership capacity as a commander or chief. 

While the job outlook for police officers and detectives isn't expected to grow rapidly over the next eight years (according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics), the country will always need police officers--and people with criminal justice degrees are much more likely to get the jobs than others. 

Join Homeland Security

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, the country has invested heavily in homeland security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security employs thousands of people with criminal justice degrees who help keep the borders secure, the airports safe, and the waterways free from danger. Jobs include working in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, cyber security services and even he U.S. Secret Service. 

Be a Corrections Officer

There are, sadly, more than 2 million people serving time in jail and prisons right now in the United States (according to prisonpolicy.org). Some are in federal prisons, others are in state prisons and many are in local jails. And they all need to be monitored to ensure they are safe, secure and not a danger to society. 

Corrections officers are the women and men who do this job. They enforce rules and maintain order by supervising the daily activities of inmates. They help in the rehabilitation and counseling of prisoners. And they make reports on inmate conduct, which are often used in court cases and in determining whether prisoners should be released. 

Provide Security

Businesses, non-profit organizations, schools, and even individuals often hire private security professionals to protect their employees, buildings, investments, and customers. With increased concerns about domestic and foreign terrorists, the need for private security professionals is expected to grow by 5 percent between now and 2024 (according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics). 

And many of these jobs involve a lot more than standing next to the front door of retail businesses. In fact, private security is big business. Large corporations have entire teams of professionals who use the latest tools and technology to guard against organized crime, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies that can disrupt their operations. 

Shape Public Policy

As new technologies and crime trends emerge, people are needed to develop public policy to address them. Many people with criminal justice degrees work as policy advisers for government agencies, think tanks, and businesses. 

These professionals analyze crime data to determine when and where crimes are most likely to occur--and then they make recommendations about how to stop the crime. They look at emerging technologies, such as social media, and develop policies to help businesses and other organizations understand how people with nefarious intentions could use the technology to commit crimes. 

It can be an exciting and lucrative way to put your criminal justice degree to work for the public's interest. 

Ready to Earn Your Degree in Criminal Justice?

If you are interested in joining the women and men who work to keep their communities safe, consider earning your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. As you can see, you may have many options with your degree. Contact ECPI University today to learn more about your options and how you can earn your degree in as few as 2.5 years. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Criminal Justice - Bachelor’s

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