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What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

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Here we’ll review what you can do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, including what jobs you can get, what you’ll learn in a criminal justice program, and whether or not a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice is actually worth getting.

To be clear, getting your criminal justice degree could open up a whole world of possibilities in the form of job options, including short-term jobs and long-term career positions that are both exciting and rewarding.

Criminal justice may not be the easiest field to work in, but it’s certainly important, considering that the field is responsible for enforcing  the laws, protecting citizens, and determining what behavior is and is not allowed within a society.

If you do choose to get a degree in the field and end up working in the industry, you could find yourself pursuing a variety of positions, from law enforcement work to employment at a public or private-sector agency, in a role related to research, fraud investigations, social work, military, or in some other form of security.

This post will explain everything you need to know about what criminal justice graduates can do for work, and we’ll also explain how to pick the best online college for studying criminal justice, which will help ensure that you graduate with real-world value that can help establish or advance your career.

When you’ve finished reading this post, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about CSU Global’s 100% online Bachelor’s Degree program in Criminal Justice, or if you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is the system that attempts to prevent, deter, and deal with crime. The criminal justice system itself includes law enforcement agencies and their related personnel, the courts, and the corrections department, which makes it an enormous industry with a wide variety of available jobs.

The criminal justice system also includes a series of industries and roles, including elements of the military, private-sector investigators, technology experts, and any other companies, corporations, non-profits or government agencies that are responsible for helping protect the safety and security of people and property.

The criminal justice system is essentially responsible for ensuring that a nation’s, state’s, city’s, or community’s  laws are upheld, and that the people and property within it remain safe. 

In effect, the criminal justice system attempts to enforce the idea that citizens must play by the agreed upon ground rules, and that those who choose to violate those rules are punished accordingly.

Do You Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Get a Job in Criminal Justice?

You don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to get a job in criminal justice, but you may need one to be considered for the more competitive jobs in the industry, or to get promoted into a leadership role.

You’ll also almost certainly have a better chance of getting hired if you have the academic credentials to prove you’ve developed the background knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to serve as an effective criminal justice professional.

Getting your Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice is one of the best ways to convince a hiring manager that you’re prepared to assume the role they’re offering; it helps prove that you’ve mastered the relevant skills needed to perform essential job functions.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

Earning your Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue many important roles in the industry, including:

  • Police Officer
  • Agents, Detectives & Investigator Roles (including Air Marshall, DEA Agent, FBI Agent, ICE Agent, Secret Service Agent, jobs in Homeland Security, etc.)
  • Parole Officers & Correctional Officers
  • Private Sector Security
  • Crime Scene Investigators
  • Homicide Investigators
  • Fraud Investigators
  • Private Detectives
  • Forensic Science Technicians
  • Criminal Law Paralegals
  • Public Policy & Government Positions
  • Research and Teaching Positions
  • Social Justice Services

No matter what specific criminal justice industry job you decide to pursue, you can be certain that getting your bachelor’s degree in the field is one of the best ways to ensure you’re fully prepared to provide value to an organization from day one.

What Do You Learn in a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Program?

It’s so important to consider getting your Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice because the courses you’ll take to complete your degree are critical to helping ensure that you’ve acquired practical knowledge of the field needed to provide effective service in the industry.

Your criminal justice bachelor’s program should provide you with detailed experience in each of the following topics:

  • Real-world criminal justice situations, allowing you to develop critically important decision-making skills, especially while under pressure.
  • Detailed knowledge about how to provide effective criminal justice services, and how to run an efficient criminal justice system.
  • A comprehensive overview of the theories and practices of law enforcement, including the impact it has on communities and society, as well as the necessary balance required to protect civil liberties, while ensuring the safety of the community.
  • A complex understanding of the ethical issues and controversies facing criminal justice organizations and personnel.

Completing your bachelor’s degree will help prepare you to work in this challenging industry, and especially to operate both effectively and efficiently, which will help set you up for career advancement and success over the course of your career.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Really Worth It?

Yes, it’s worth getting your Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Completing a degree program will prepare you for important roles and responsibilities you’ll face when operating in the industry.

Whether you’re looking to work with a state or Federal agency, at the local level in a police or sheriff’s department, in a correctional or government facility, in private sector investigations, in security, or with a risk-assessment firm, getting your Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice will provide you with the academic credentials needed to improve your marketability for work in the field.

Completing a regionally accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice will prove that you’re prepared to bring value to any organization, helping you earn the trust and respect of hiring managers.

Should I Get My Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online?

Yes, you should consider pursuing your Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice online, especially if you have existing family or work-related responsibilities that you’ll need to juggle with the academic requirements needed to complete your degree.

You do, however, want to enroll in a criminal justice program which is regionally accredited, as this is a critical component of determining whether or not a degree will provide real value to you in the job market. 

Our accelerated online bachelor’s program is not only regionally accredited, but was also specifically designed to help students juggle their education, work, and family responsibilities, which means that it offers more freedom and flexibility than a traditional, in-person program.

Choosing to get your criminal justice degree online from CSU Global offers several advantages, including not needing to appear for classes at any set times or locations, being able to start classes on a monthly basis, and getting to take accelerated, eight-week courses.

What Makes CSU Global the Best Online School for Criminal Justice?

Simply put, CSU Global is a great choice if you’re looking for an online college for criminal justice—and we have the credentials to prove it. Our program recently earned Online Course Report’s #1 ranking for The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs.

Our Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice is also nationally and professionally recognized, as well as regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our partnership program with important criminal justice agencies and organizations may help contribute to your career advancement by building your professional network.

Finally, CSU Global offers competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure your rate won’t change while you’re enrolled into the desired program. 

To get additional details about our fully-accredited, 100% online bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice, please give us a call at 800-462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!