This post is for you if you are having questions about what jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree or are interested in studying criminal justice.
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What is Criminal Justice about?
Criminal justice is a system established for bringing criminals to justice. When a crime is committed, someone is arrested, tried in court for a verdict, and sentenced to prison if found guilty, all of the procedures, correctional facilities, law enforcement organizations, and court systems are considered to be criminal justice.
The Jobs You Can get with a Criminal Justice Degree
Although there are various educational levels available to students, a degree is required if you want to work in criminal justice. Your degree level decision will be influenced by the career you intend to pursue, as more senior roles will call for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
With an associate’s degree, you might be able to land an entry-level job. Listed below are some of the jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree:
- Paralegal
- Parole Officer
- Criminal Profiler
- Private Investigator
- Correctional Officer
- Police Officer
- Victim Advocate
- Forensic Science Technicians
Paralegal
A paralegal is the first profession on the list. Paralegals assist lawyers in law companies by performing administrative activities such as preparing and proofreading legal documents, organizing file materials, and ensuring that they are accessible.
They are particularly useful in court cases or hearings, calling out witnesses, conducting investigative research when questioning clients and witnesses, and organizing evidence and exhibits are all examples of useful work they assist with.
The duty of a paralegal varies depending on the size of the business, the case at hand, and the attorney they work for. The compensation of a paralegal is determined by the individual’s location, firm, and years of experience.
According to Payscale, a paralegal earns an average of $49,930 per year and can earn anywhere from $32,000 to $71,000 per year.
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Parole Officer
When convicted criminals are released back into society on probation, parole officers are responsible for ensuring that they are behaving well and complying with the terms that permit their release.
They keep track of their activities, pay them visits, and set up frequent meetings with them. They alert the police and ensure their arrest in the event of a violation of the parole agreement. Also, they assist the inmates in acclimating to their new surroundings.
A parole officer can earn up to $38,661 per year in their first year, according to payscale, with the amount increasing as the years of experience increase. The average annual wage is $42,773.
Criminal Profiler
Criminal profilers are trained experts that specialize in analyzing historical criminal behavior patterns to construct a profile that matches the profile of a suspect in an investigation.
They work closely with law enforcement, especially the crime unit. Because the evidence from the crime scene, interviews with witnesses, and the victim’s story will form the basis for their report, a successful criminal profiler must have excellent analytical skills, critical thinking ability, and solid questioning skills.
According to a salary.com poll, a criminal profiler’s average annual salary in the United States is $67,530.
Private Investigator
Private investigators are specialists hired to serve as detectives on behalf of people or organizations. They are tasked with solving a case, which can be anything as long as they are licensed to do it.
Also, they conduct surveillance and investigate crime scenes and evidence that may be relevant to their case. Simply put, they are police officers who do not work for the government.
They can, however, be hired by a law enforcement agency to assist in the investigation of a case. Most private investigators are former law enforcement officers. According to indeed.com, a private investigator earns up to $57,000 per year as the base salary.
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Correctional Officer
Correctional officers operate in prisons and are in charge of overseeing the facility as well as the inmates. They make sure that the inmates follow the laws and regulations of the jail.
Also, they hold people who breach the code of conduct accountable. Also, they perform routine drug and contraband checks regularly. They are also in charge of assigning and scheduling duties for the convicts.
They are tasked with restoring sanity to the atmosphere in the event of disturbances and fights in the prison. When a prisoner is to be transported, they guarantee that the prisoner is carried safely from the prison to the destination. The survey by Salary.com reports that the average salary of a correctional officer is $47,839 per year.
Police officers
Police officers are professionals whose job is to keep people and their belongings secure. They maintain law and order in the neighborhood and throughout the country. They’re also in charge of turning up and preventing crime. The average salary of a police officer is $55,352 in the United States.
Victim Advocate
Victim Advocates deal with crime victims, assisting them in coping with the horrific events that have occurred. A victim advocate can engage with witnesses as well as the victim of a crime, providing moral support.
Clients also ensure that they are aware of their legal rights and the status of the court procedures. They also advise on what options to make based on the outcome of the case. The average pay of a victim advocate in the United States is $57,333, according to Glassdoor.
Forensic Science Technicians
At crime sites, forensic science technicians assist detectives and police officers. They gather evidence from crime sites and transport it to a lab for further examination. In addition, they test and analyze DNA samples, fingerprints, and footprints in the lab, as well as perform bullet ballistic reports.
They document their findings and submit them for further research into the case. A forensic technologist may be called to testify in court or to express their opinion as a consultant expert. The average forensic science technician’s income is $61,930 per year.
Final Notes on Jobs you can get with a Criminal Justice Degree
You can pursue a variety of occupations in law enforcement and other fields that entail upholding the rule of law if you have a diploma in criminal justice. With a degree in criminal justice, you can work in one of the three primary areas of the field—law enforcement, courts, or corrections/rehabilitation.
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