What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Degree in Criminal Justice?

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There are many jobs you can get with an online degree in criminal justice. These programs often include studies in:

law
sociology
psychology

They prepare students with the skills they need for careers that emphasize safety, according to U.S. News & World Report. The degree path can lead to a variety of roles in law enforcement and corrections, as well as more unexpected career paths like private detective or paralegal.

Law Enforcement

Probably the most well-known of the jobs you can get with an online degree in criminal justice is law enforcement. Maybe you want to work at the municipal government level, protecting and serving a single town. Maybe you have your eyes on the federal level, keeping the entire nation safe. An online criminal justice degree program can help you get there.

Some programs even offer specialized courses or academic concentrations in strategic intelligence and homeland security and emergency management. These help students prepare for careers with federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security.

Corrections

Another of the more obvious jobs you can get with an online degree in criminal justice is a role in corrections. Correctional officers earn a median salary of $39,000 per year.Those who advance into parole officer or correctional treatment specialist positions earn a median salary of $48,000 per year, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Private Detective

If you’ve always wanted to be a detective, this educational path might be right for you. Private detective or investigator is another job you can get with an online degree in criminal justice. Around 25 percent of all private detectives work for themselves, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The opportunity to be your own boss can be appealing. Aspiring private detectives should know that it often takes years of work experience in law enforcement or a related role to develop the skills, resources and connections needed to succeed as a private investigator.

Paralegal

An online criminal justice degree might not seem like the most direct path into the legal industry. However, this education can give you the knowledge you need to work as a paralegal or legal assistant. These professionals help attorneys prepare for trials and handle various other tasks required for representing clients successfully, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Having the right education is important to attain and advance in your desired career. This career can be:

police officer
federal agent
parole officer
private eye
paralegal

Each of these career paths are among the possible jobs you can get with an online degree in criminal justice. You can cultivate the skills you need in a convenient online format.

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