A Brief History of the Criminal Justice Major
Criminal justice is a field of study that examines the consequences, causes, and control of crime. The field combines various academic areas and scientific inquiry. Criminal justice has evolved constantly over time. The modern criminal justice system is an amalgamation of old techniques and new forms of punishment. Though the first correctional form in the United States was instituted toward the end of the 17th century, incarceration has existed since the 14th century. In ancient times, monetary compensation to the victim or the victim’s family was a common form of punishment. Those who could not afford to buy their way out had to face other punitive measures, ranging from flogging and branding to mutilation and execution. New developments include measures added to protect civli offenders from torture and abuse. Jails and prisons have now replaced flogging and mutilation as the legal form of punishment. The primary objective of the criminal justice major is to provide students with a strong educational background that allows them to move from college students to community leaders. Students study facts, details, case studies, and journals detailing major areas within criminal justice. In-service and pre-service students also benefit from the study by getting acquainted with the principles and practices of criminal justice.
Delving Into the Criminal Justice Major
Students in this program will study and analyze facts and laws, details and contrasts on the issues surrounding criminal justice system. They will confront legal theory, criminal behavioral profiles, social expectations and the harsh realities of punishment. This field of study prepares students to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of criminal justice system and criminology. The field also prepares pre-service students for crucial roles as public security officers and contributors in such areas as patrol, evidence collection, traffic control, crowd control, and public relations. Criminal justice courses are designed to provide the theoretical background to critically analyze real world criminal justice. The experience culminates in an original research paper examining policy in the areas of corrections and policing. There is more to a criminal justice degree than simply reading textbooks and writing reports. Students will also attend a variety of expert guest lectures, field trips to crime labs, court trials and prison visits to get a thorough grasp of the application of criminal justice. The sum total of educational success in this field is a blend of academic interests and real-world learning that will help students mature within a discipline. The professors will assign relevant reading from material designed to bolster understanding of the theoretical frameworks that inform crime and criminal justice. Students will be required to complete courses in Criminal Law, Philosophy of Corrections, Theory and Practice of Law Enforcement, Criminology, among others.
Degree Levels:
Associate
The Associate’s degree will give students a basic snapshot of the criminal justice field, providing technical skills that can be immediately applied to a career in law enforcement. It provides the foundation for a full-fledged education. The curriculum starts with basic courses and gradually shifts to specialized concepts. Over the course of two years, you will be exposed to key aspects of the criminal justice industry: law enforcement, criminology, corrections, social control, juvenile justice, and the legal system. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Core curriculum at this level include courses on Criminal Law, Crime and Delinquency, The Enforcement Function, and Introduction to Criminal Justice. The training acquired at this level prepares students for transfer to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s
The Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice offers a more in-depth exploration of the field, and can help students get work in higher levels of law enforcement. You will also learn about criminal justice policies, professional writing, research methods, analyzing criminal behavior, and application of principles. This academic level teaches students to apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing and controlling criminal justice agencies, including police departments, sheriff’s departments, law enforcement units, and private protective services. Other career paths include customs agency, criminalists, and paralegal. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s truly understand the Criminal Justice industry thoroughly and are prepared to be leaders in their community.
Master’s
Some online colleges and universities do offer Master’s programs in criminal justice and related fields. This degree level is perfect for those candidates looking to move up into upper management positions. A master’s in criminal justice opens more doors than you could ever imagine. It is the breadth of knowledge and its applicability that makes it truly beneficial. Post-graduate studies in criminal justice can lead to employment in law enforcement, the legal system, loss prevention, corrections units, forensics, higher education, and of course, with federal government bodies like the FBI or Homeland Security. Examples of courses students will take during their training are Criminal Law, Civil Rights, State Ordinances, and Accident Investigation. Courses are usually tailored to match each student’s specialty. Students may take additional, more specific courses. Every specialty requires a unique set of skills and abilities, but the comprehensive master’s degree curriculum provides a solid foundation for any one of them.
Doctorate
Doctorate degree graduates already understand the conceptual and theoretical frameworks that inform the study of crime and criminal justice. This academic level is mainly concerned with assessing criminal justice problems through a rigorous research approach. PhD candidates identify current trends in the areas of corrections and criminology and conduct improved policy analysis. The main learning goal at this stage is to become informed consumers of criminal justice research knowledge. Students receive rigorous training in four core areas of criminal justice: criminological theory, forensic psychology, criminal justice policy, and criminal law. Doctorate candidates develop a concentration in at least one of these areas as well as a firm grounding in social science research methods and statistics. They may also take courses in international/comparative criminal justice, and inspection and oversight as well. It culminates with a dissertation on an area of your interest. PhD graduates go on to pursue a career in research and university settings.
Supplementing Your Criminal Justice Major
Criminal justice provides students with an overview of the nature of crime and the various institutions and processes that respond to crime. But a career in criminal justice is not limited to policing or law enforcement. Criminal justice graduates can be found in virtually any industry, from consulting to government. The versatility of this major makes it suitable accompaniment to other related fields. Criminal justice draws elements and perspectives from many disciplines such as sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, and public administration. Students who major in criminal justice will find that it pairs well with subjects such as psychology, sociology, and constitutional law. Many online colleges and universities offer a wide array of concentrations related to a major in criminal justice. These specializations include, but are not limited to: criminal law, corrections, juvenile corrections, and criminology. While the focus of criminal justice is on crime and criminal behavior, the study provides a solid foundation for jobs in a variety of fields. Some programs include an interdisciplinary attempt to relate criminal justice issues and practitioner perspectives to the challenge of crime in a free society. In this regard, the major provides preparation for employment with other agencies or further study.
Learn More About the Criminal Justice Major
- Open Courseware: Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence
- Open Courseware: Terrorism, Peace and Other Inconsistencies
- Howard Journal of Criminal Justice
- The Journal of Criminal Justice and Pop Culture
- The Journal of Criminal Justice Research
The Criminal Justice Major in the Job Market
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job opportunities for those hoping to work in local police departments will be excellent in the coming years. Those pursuing work at the federal or state level will see considerably more competition for positions, however. The more training and experience a student can get, the better, as this opens up a wide variety of career opportunities and makes for advantageous additions to a resume. While the number of government jobs in this field is dictated by a state or federal budget, those working in the private sector may see more fluctuation in the job market though more business and organizations are focusing in on security as a main concern so job opportunities may hold steady in the coming years. Graduates of criminal justice programs should also consider less common careers like those with fish and wildlife, insurance companies, customs agencies, crime labs and with the Federal Trade Bureau as there are truly a wide range of ways that students can use their degrees to find a rewarding career. Salaries in this field will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. According to Payscale.com, criminal justice majors typically make anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 annually. The median income for mid-career criminal justice majors is $59,300, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
