Types of Jobs With a Criminal Justice Degree

There are a wealth of long-term career opportunities in the vast field of criminal justice. Whether you are considering working for a small, rural community as a sheriff's department employee or have aspirations of becoming a Secret Service agent protecting the President of the United States, the potential for a satisfying, important career is limitless.

Local and State Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officers include county sheriffs and deputies, city police officers and detectives and state troopers. Sheriffs and deputies enforce the law in rural areas where a police department is not present. Police officers and detectives work in towns and cities. Both divisions of law enforcement, as well as troopers at the state level, have the ability to make arrests, conduct criminal investigations, assist citizens with emergency situations, collect evidence, write reports and testify in court. While a degree in criminal justice may not be required to obtain a position as a law enforcement officer, it will be beneficial or required to advance within the department. Depending on the municipality, starting salaries could be in the low $20,000s, but with advancement and experience, could rise higher than $60,000.

Department of Corrections

Correctional officers work in municipal, county, state and federal jails and detention centers and juvenile reformatory facilities. The general responsibility of correctional officers is overseeing convicted inmates and those who are in custody and awaiting trial, maintaining order, transporting prisoners and preventing escapes and misconduct. Unlike police officers, correctional officers do not have jurisdiction outside of the facility of their employment. A criminal justice degree is beneficial when seeking advancement or promotion within the penitentiary system. Salaries for correctional officers generally fall between the mid-$20,000s and high $40,000s.

Judicial System

Individuals with a criminal justice degree have the opportunity to pursue positions with the judicial system, including court clerk, bailiff and court reporter. Court clerks, bailiffs and court reporters are directly involved in the judicial process, serving the court in various capacities. Court clerks process legal records and oversee much of the documentation associated with court cases. They file public records and gather and record court fines and fees. The median salary for a court clerk is the mid-$30,000s.

Bailiffs provide security for the courtroom, maintaining order during proceedings. They often escort prisoners to and from court and oversee sequestered juries. Bailiffs have the jurisdiction to remove and apprehend people who disrupt court proceedings. The average salary for a bailiff is the low to mid-$30,000s.

Court reporters have the responsibility of documenting every word in a court proceeding, often recording up to 200 words per minute. As the records of proceedings are used in the appeal process, accurate recording is essential. A court reporter's median salary is in the high $40,000s.

Federal Law Enforcement

Many of the most desirable careers in criminal justice are in the federal law enforcement field. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS), Department of Homeland Securty, Secret Service, U.S. Marshalls and Customs are agencies within the U.S. Federal Government where many with criminal justice backgrounds seek employment. Positions within these agencies are highly competitive and candidates must meet strict educational, physical, medical and ethical standards to be seriously considered to participate in a training program. Candidates must pass extensive oral and written examinations, as well as thorough background checks in many cases. Positions within these agencies include but are not limited to agents, investigators and various administrative posts, and salary ranges vary, depending on experience.

Probation and Parole Officers

Probation officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who are serving conditional sentences outside of a penitentiary, handed down by the court. Parole officers manage offenders released from prison but are subject to conditions determined by a parole board. Probation and parole officers assist their clients in the efforts to continue rehabilitation outside of a prison facility; seek drug, alcohol and mental health counseling; help with housing; and education and employment. Individuals on probation and parole are mandated to check in periodically at scheduled times with their appropriate officers, who write reports and keep accurate case notes on clients. The median salary for probation and parole officers is between $45,000 and $55,000, depending on experience.

References

• Careers in Criminal Justice
• Guide to College Majors in Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Careers, Jobs and Training Information

Resources

• Popular Careers for a Criminal Justice Degree