Information on Criminal Justice and Lawyer Degrees

Getting a degree can open up many lucrative job opportunites.

Getting a degree in criminal justice can open up a number of options in the law enforcement field. Someone who wants to earn a degree in criminal justice has many educational path options. A law degree can be the gateway to a high-paying career as a lawyer, but can be very competitive when trying to get accepted into a law school.

Options

A number of options are available when earning a criminal justice or law degree. Criminal justice degrees ranging from associate to doctorate can be earned online, at community colleges or at four-year institutions. Law degrees are typically earned at an American Bar Association-accredited law school after completing at least a four-year degree.

Careers

A law degree can open the door to become a prosecutor or defender in criminal law or get into law fields such as tax law or corporate law. A degree in criminal justice will qualify you to embark on a career in law enforcement such as a police officer or agent in the FBI or work as a specialist working in correctional facilities.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, a person employed as a lawyer makes about $110,000 annually, as of May 2008. Salary will vary based on experience and area of law being practiced. A person with a degree in criminal justice can work in a number of fields and salary will vary based on the industry. Correctional specialists have an average salary of about $45,000.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
• Directory of Education: Criminal Justice Degree Programs
• Guide to Online Schools: Criminal Justice Degree Online