Need a career change? A job in the criminal justice system could be just what you’re looking for.
To enter the exciting world of criminal justice, you’ll need a degree. Fortunately, online associate programs allow you to earn your degree in just two years, U.S. News1 reports. An online criminal justice degree opens so many opportunities, including high-paying careers in criminology.
Here’s why you should consider joining the field.
It Provides a Pathway to a Wide Variety of Careers
Once you earn a criminal justice degree, you’ll be qualified for an incredible array of careers like:
Private Investigator: Private investigators can defend the innocent and serve justice on the guilty.
FBI Agent: FBI agents work for the Department of Justice to investigate federal crimes.
Digital Forensic Analyst: These investigators gather computer data to investigate computer crimes, a rapidly growing area of criminal justice.
These are only a few of the job possibilities that you can explore once you earn a criminal justice degree. Other jobs in the criminal justice system include correction officers, prison staff, forensic artists, postal inspectors, customs and border protection officers, probation and parole officers, and secret service agents.
Jobs in Criminal Justice Get Great Benefits
Although many people assume working for the government means a smaller paycheck, criminal justice jobs in the public sector almost always offer better benefits than those in the private sector. The Congressional Budget Office, U.S. News² reports, found federal employees earn 16 percent more than those in the private sector.
Criminal justice specialists working within the public sector are also given generous benefits, like good health insurance, solid retirement benefits, and life insurance. According to The Economist³, those who retire from jobs in the public sector continue to earn anywhere from 60 to 100 percent of their salary for decades.
You’ll Have Job Security
Job security isn’t a worry in most criminal justice jobs because crime isn’t going to end. The rise in digital technology has also opened an entire new class of criminal activity.
And the growing crime rates will also increase the need for criminal justice professionals with degrees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics⁴ reports that demand for criminal justice employees will grow 7 percent in the next 8 years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics5 points out that there’s little turnover in the criminal justice field. Once people earn a job, they stay for decades.
Make a Difference and Enjoy Greater Job Satisfaction
If you want to make a difference, consider criminal justice. All you need to get started is a degree in the field – which you can easily earn online thanks to the increasing availability of online classes and college programs.
Criminal justice careers are wide open when you earn a college degree, and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice can be earned online, which makes it more affordable and flexible. You can start making a real difference in the world or your community today by pursuing a degree in criminal justice at any accredited online college.