Criminal Justice is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Criminal Justice
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Social Services
Career Areas
- Corrections
- Counseling
- Juvenile Justice
- Casework
- Administration
- Probations & Parole
- Victim Advocacy
Employers
- State and federal correction facilities
- County jails
- Precinct station houses
- Prison camps
- Youth correction facilities
- Medium-security correction facilities
- Voluntary correction facilities
- Halfway houses and pre-release programs
- Reintegration programs
- Alternative schools
- Juvenile detention centers
- Juvenile group homes
- Women's and family shelters
- Domestic violence agencies
- Immigration and naturalization services
- Other nonprofit organizations
General Information
- Seek courses or training in topics such as victimology, social problems, diversity issues, or grieving.
- Supplement curriculum with courses in psychology, sociology, or social work.
- Gain experience working with a juvenile in any capacity (i.e., sports teams, summer camp counselor, parks and recreation programs, and community/religious youth groups).
- Gain related experience in employment interviewing, social casework, substance abuse, and rehabilitation.
- Learn to work well with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Consider learning a second language.
- Maintain a blemish-free driving and criminal record.
- Gain firearms and self-defense training.
- Earn a master's degree in social work or counseling for therapy positions.
- Obtain a master's degree in criminal justice or business for upper-level positions in facilities management or administration.
Judiciary and Law
Career Areas
- Court Reporting
- Legal Assistance
- Legal Research
- Administration
Employers
- Local, state, and federal courts
- Law firms
- Corporate legal departments
- Public interest law organizations
General Information
- Consider a double major or minor in the social sciences such as psychology, anthropology, sociology, or political science.
- Attend a postsecondary vocational or technical college that offers court reporting or paralegal certification programs.
- Obtain a law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
- Learn to use software packages such as CD-ROM research databases.
- Develop strong research, computer, and writing skills.
- Maintain a high grade point average to gain admittance to law school.
- Participate in mock trial groups.
Law Enforcement
Career Areas
- Patrolling
- Investigating
- Forensics
- Probation
- Security
Employers
- City/County government organizations including:
- Police departments
- Correction facilities
- County sheriff departments
- Liquor Control Commission
- State government organizations including:
- State troopers
- Crime labs
- Penitentiaries
- Federal government organizations including:
- US Customs and Border Protection
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Department of Homeland Security
- Postal Service
- Federal Marshals
- Wildlife, fisheries, and parks
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- National Parks Service
- Crime laboratories
- Colleges and universities
General Information
- Obtain related training or certifications such as CPR, first aid, or EMT.
- Complete a formal police academy program upon graduation.
- Maintain a healthy and physically fit lifestyle.
- Volunteer to work in a police department or campus safety department.
- Complete an internship in a crime laboratory to gain experience in the forensic application of science.
- Obtain a double major in criminal/public justice and a hard science (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) if interested in a career in forensics.
- Consider earning a master's degree in forensic science or a related discipline.
- Become familiar with the government application process.
- Learn a second language.
Business
Career Areas
- Private Security
- Consulting
- Investigating
- Systems Integration
- Global Intelligence
- Private Investigation
- Internet Security
- Loss and Prevention
Employers
- Insurance companies
- Banks
- Private security companies
- Software companies
- Hotels and resorts
- Health care facilities
- Transportation services
- Nuclear power plants
- Manufacturers
- Online companies
- Other large corporations
General Information
- Minor in business or computer science.
- Seek practicum/internship experiences that include training in the hardware and software of security systems.
- Maintain good physical fitness.
- Develop excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Seek leadership opportunities and develop strong interpersonal skills.
- Attend firearm safety courses. Obtain first aid and CPR certification.
- Gain military experience and training.
- Earn a graduate degree in business or law for upper-level positions.
Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Research
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- Adult education providers
- Public and private high schools
General Information
- Earn a graduate degree for post-secondary teaching opportunities.
- Get a teaching certificate for elementary or secondary education. Gain a dual certification for increased opportunities.
- Serve as a tutor to other students.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Assist a professor with research.
- Take additional coursework related to research and statistics.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Many criminal justice professions require candidates to possess strong oral and written communication skills and good computer skills. The ability to speak a second language is also desirable.
- Develop good listening skills and the ability to work well with a wide range of diverse populations.
- Most entry-level positions for criminal justice majors reside with law enforcement and social service organizations.
- Obtain experience through volunteer, practicum, or internship opportunities.
- Supplement program of study with courses in business, psychology, anthropology, or sociology. Course work related to the hard sciences (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) is preferred for career opportunities in forensics.
- Depending upon one's career goals, earn a master's degree in disciplines such as criminal justice, forensic science, social work, counseling, or business to obtain positions involving therapy, higher levels of administration, forensics, or research.
- Earn a doctorate degree for university teaching positions.
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest to learn more about opportunities.
- Seek courses or training in topics such as victimology, social problems, diversity issues, or grieving.
- Consider a double major or minor in the social sciences such as psychology, anthropology, sociology, or political science.
- Participate in mock trial groups.
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