Criminal Justice and Law: Degrees and Careers

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What Is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice studies the policies, processes, and institutions involved in criminal courts and correctional systems. This academic field also explores systemic impacts on involved populations from a social justice perspective.

A criminal justice degree can help you enter a variety of professions, including roles in:

  • Law enforcement
  • Crime investigation
  • Corrections
  • Public policy

You can also combine a criminal justice degree with education in related fields, such as criminology, law, psychology, sociology, and social work. This may help you qualify for specialized career paths.

Online Criminal Justice Programs

Accredited colleges and universities offer criminal justice programs at all degree levels. Undergraduate — associate and bachelor’s — degrees usually lead to entry-level job opportunities, while graduate (master’s and doctoral) degrees support growth and advancement.

Explore the following links to learn more about the variety of available criminal justice programs:

How do I fund my criminal justice degree?

Scholarships, fellowships, and grants offer funding to directly reduce your schooling costs that you don’t have to pay back. Providers usually issue these aid packages on the basis of need or merit.

You can also bridge funding gaps with federal or private loans, which you will have to pay back, or by studying online or part-time while you work.

Careers in Criminal Justice and Law

Criminal justice degrees lead most readily to professional roles with community agencies, court and correctional systems, and law enforcement organizations. You can also work in public policy, or combine your degree with education in a related field to build a specialized professional profile.