Criminal Justice major Jobs

Admit it, you’re a CSI fan, and watching that show has sparked your interest in a career in criminal justice. It’s okay – a lot of people see the intrigue of the criminal justice field in entertainment and want to know more about the real career opportunities that are out there. In fact, since the show started, there has been a huge increase in the number of applicants to Criminal Justice programs. It’s called the "CSI effect."

The reality of the criminal justice field can be quite different than what you see on TV. That’s why it’s very important to get all the information you can before making a decision for your education – and your career. In fact, today, most career paths in Criminal Justice require at least an Associate degree. With the information and resources on this site, you can choose a path in criminal justice that matches your interests and abilities.

Careers in Criminal Justice

There are a variety of criminal justice careers that current graduates can choose from. Here is a list some of the careers that are popular in the criminal justice sector. If you are ready to pursue a career in the field of criminal justice, contact our featured schools to learn how you can get started!

Detectives and Private Investigators

In these roles, you can analyze and find facts about information pertaining to personal, financial, and legal matters. They can offer many services that range from protecting celebrities, verifying people’s backgrounds, investigating computer crimes, and tracing missing persons. Both private detectives and investigators have a minimal of college experience. However, many jobs that private detectives and investigators qualify for do not have actual educational requirements, and most of them learn on the job regardless. Previous work experience in investigative work is very helpful, and private detectives and investigators need a license to practice in most states. Depending on the case, private detectives and investigators can work in a variety of environments. Some can spend their time performing surveillance or conducting interviews, while others spend their time in offices making phone calls and conducting computer searches.

Police Officers

Police officers can also become criminal investigators and detectives, who sometimes are called special agents or agents, and they collect evidence and gather facts of possible crimes. Depending on the type of organization and size, law enforcement officers’ duties vary. The education requirements in order to become a police officer range from a typical high school diploma to a college degree. Additionally, before getting on-the-job training police officers must graduate from their agency’s training academy. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, be U.S. citizens, and meet a variety of personal and physical qualifications. Police officers work in an environment that can be dangerous, physically demanding, and stressful. Police officers have one the highest fatalities and on-the-job injuries.