A Criminal Justice Degree has recently gained a lot of momentum in popularity over the past couple of years. People like yourself are finally starting to realize the benefits of protecting and serving their community. As you begin to feel excited about a career in the criminal justice field, here are just some of the many things you'll be able to experience: investigating crimes, catching the "bad guys", and protecting honest citizens from harm and danger. Although careers in this field may seem dangerous and stressful at times, the self fulfillment is the best reward anyone can ask for.
Your level of education will determine your rank in the career you choose to pursue. Fortunately, you have the option to earn your Criminal Justice Degree both online and on-campus. The amount of experience and time you put in will allow you to earn an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters Degree.
An Associates Degree in Criminal Justice is usually the minimum requirement for most jobs in the Criminal Justice field. Most students decide to take necessary classes for an Associates Degree online as it allows them to advance and have a part time/ full time job at the same time. A good amount of people who earn their Associates Degree become Sheriffs or Police Officers. The median income for people with Associates Degree in Criminal Justice is around $48,000.
A Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice allows you to be eligible for much better positions like a Secret Service Agent, Deputy Sheriff, Warden, and several other supervisory positions. The average income for someone with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice is about $65,000-$70,000 a year.
Earning a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice will take your career to a completely different level. After you complete the Bachelors program, you'll spend 2 years either online or on-campus in the Masters Program. People who earn this degree can get into a very advanced position such as an FBI Agent. Advanced degrees can help you earn anywhere from $60,000-$100,000 in income.
| Associates Degrees | Number of Schools Offering |
|---|---|
| Associates in Corrections | 1 |
| Associates in Criminal Investigation | 2 |
| Associates in Criminal Justice | 11 |
| Associates in Homeland Security | 3 |
| Associates in Law Enforcement | 1 |
| Associates in Paralegal Studies | 5 |
| Certificate Degrees | Number of Schools Offering |
|---|---|
| Certification in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Masters Degrees | Number of Schools Offering |
|---|---|
| Masters in Computer Crime | 1 |
| Masters in Corrections | 1 |
| Masters in Criminal Behavior | 1 |
| Masters in Criminal Justice | 16 |
| Masters in Forensic Psychology | 2 |
| Masters in Homeland Security | 5 |
| Masters in Public Safety | 4 |