What Kinds of Programs Are Offered At Criminal Justice Colleges?
The criminal justice field covers a wide array of occupational specialties. Those employed in the criminal justice field can work directly with the public in law enforcement positions, in the courtroom as paralegals or judges, or behind the scenes as secretaries or administrators. All of these positions require a multidisciplinary field of study, including a firm background in law, sociology, political science, history, economics, geography, psychology, natural science, and political and social philosophy, according to criminal justice major description offered by . However, despite demanding a similar set of shared skills, criminal justice majors must choose to focus their studies on one particular aspect of the field. These focuses are often called “programs” or “concentrations” within the major, and many criminal justice colleges offer a variety of these programs to suit all prospective criminal justice employees.
Many common programs offered by criminal justice colleges include:
- Administration of Criminal Justice
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement and Public Safety
- Homeland Security
- Probation and Parole
- Law and Ethics
- Social Control Institutions
- Computer Criminology
Criminal justice colleges offer many diverse educational opportunities for those looking to enter into any position in criminal justice upon graduation. To choose the right program in which to enroll in within the criminal justice major, students should consider the requirements and skill sets needed in their future occupation. For example, if a student is looking to enter into law enforcement and plans to advance in rank to a higher law enforcement position, he or she should plan on focusing on a relevant program such as police science or administration of justice, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the other hand, a student looking to become a paralegal or legal assistant should plan on taking a paralegal studies program.
Different degree levels are offered at criminal justice colleges as well, from associate to master’s degree levels. Students should research which degree level is desired by their future employers, as all occupations have varying education and training requirements. Those planning to work with a government agency such as the FBI typically need to obtain a graduate level degree, while those working in an assistance position, such as a paralegal, may only need to obtain an associate degree. Some criminal justice colleges will also aid students in obtaining licensure and certification upon graduation.