You are a Criminal Justice Student. Where do you go from here?
Many colleges and universities with criminal justice programs provide placement services for their students. Local offices of the Civil Service Commission have information about various federal agencies. Visit local criminal justice agencies and talk to individuals. Their suggestions could provide helpful information about achieving your career goals.
Also, State Justice Planning Agencies can advise you of manpower needs in their states. Additionally, professional books and journals will broaden your experience with the workings of the criminal justice system and many help direct you toward a better understanding of your career objectives.
Although criminal justice is a vast field offering a variety of positions, basically there are three sub-systems in the function of criminal justice. They are:
Law Enforcement which is responsible for enforcing the law
Courts who safeguard the judicial process
Corrections which provide treatment and rehabilitation
The following lists a small sampling of the types of careers which are available in most states in each of these areas.
Enforcement:
patrolman
investigation officer
traffic officer
sheriff
administrator
highway patrolman
game warden
juvenile officer
training instructor
forensic science specialist
dispatcher
community relations officer
Courts:
prosecuting attorney
defense attorney
judge
court administrator
bailiff
court clerk
court reporter
Corrections:
warden
probation officer
parole officer
jail/prison custodial officer
counselor
case worker
administrator
recreation specialist
psychologist
psychiatrist
vocational and academic teacher
At present, positions in the criminal justice system might be distributed along a ladder of education qualifications as illustrated. Take into consideration, however, that positions on this ladder will shift upward as higher educational requirements are adopted.
Ph.D. usually required:
University Professor
Criminologist
Criminal Justice Researcher
Criminal Justice Consultant
Psychologist in Corrections
Law or Master's degree usually required:
Criminal Justice Administrator
College Professor
Attorney
Juvenile Officer
Case Worker
Judge
Counselor
Court Administrator
Criminal Justice Planner
Forensic Science Specialist
Bachelor's degree usually required:
Recreational Specialist
Vocational or Academic Teacher in Corrections
Probation Officer
Parole Officer
Law Enforcement Administrator
Some college usually required:
Jail or prison custodial officer
Court Reporter
Patrolman
Sheriff
Investigation Officer
High School diploma usually required:
Dispatcher
Game Warden
Bailiff
Court Clerk
Students graduating in criminal justice will find positions available in many areas of criminal and juvenile justice facilities, including police agencies, court systems and correctional institutions on local, state and federal levels. Opportunities are also available in the area of counseling, for example, treatment and casework with reintergrative efforts such as halfway houses and runaway shelters. Students may attain positions as case and child care workers or as youth counselors. In addition, the growing field of private security and police work is attractive to many graduates. Maintenance of court records and other various entry level administrative positions are also job possibilities. Many criminal justice majors prepare for studies in law and enter law school upon graduation.