Interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree? An education in criminal justice can open up a wide variety of opportunities beyond law enforcement. A criminal justice degree can set you on the path to becoming a criminal lawyer, forensic psychologist, social worker and much more. Your degree can be as lucrative and fulfilling as you like, as you pursue your passion for justice. While there are a wide range of jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree, getting your degree will be half the battle.
In order to get your degree and the education you need to pursue a successful career, you’ll need to find the right program for you. In addition to colleges and universities offering courses on campus, you can also find numerous online courses that can help you earn your degree in the comfort of your own home. These programs allow for greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Earn your degree at your own pace, on your own schedule so you can more effectively manage your work and family life as you earn your degree.
If you are interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree, read on to find out more about some of the best online programs available, plus everything you need to know about some of the highest-paying jobs you can get with your degree!
Degree Programs and Courses
Arizona State University offers one of the best online criminal justice degree programs, giving hopeful lawyers, political scientists, and social workers, the tools they need to get into their field of choice. ASU offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs covering a variety of subjects. Among the courses offered at the University are Criminal Procedure I: The Law of Investigations, Police Accountability, Courts and Sentencing, and Introduction to Corrections.
Southern New Hampshire University offers one of the most affordable online programs with some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation, allowing you to earn your degree for less. Instructors at SNHU have real-world experience and are specially trained. Terms are flexible, offering six terms per year that last just 8 weeks, making it easier for you to manage with your busier work schedules.
California State University San Bernadino offers one of the leading bachelor’s degree programs in Criminal Justice. Affordable, informative and wide-ranging, this is one of the best programs to start your career. After completing an introductory course to the criminal justice system and criminal law, you’ll complete several general education and diversity courses, before moving on to courses such as Theories of Crime and Delinquency, Police and Police Systems, and Integrative Studies in Criminal Justice. On top of that, CSUSB offers six courses in Homeland Security that will grant you a Homeland Security Certificate. Those courses offered include Hate Crime and Law Policy, Terrorism, and Transnational Organized Crime.
Salaries
The national average salary of earners with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice is $61,213 annually, according to ZipRecruiter. Of course, the amount you will earn will depend highly on your occupation. Salaries are as high as $142,500 per year or as low as $21,500. Averages also depending on which city you are working. For instance, the annual average in New York City is $72,450, while in Boston, it’s $68,619.
Among the top paying jobs for those with a Criminal Justice degree were those working in the Justice System where the average annual salary was $108,075, Manager Criminal Justice Internships earning $82,018 annually and Criminal Justice Program Directors earning $79,206. Meanwhile, Forensic Specialists, Detective Sergeants and Intelligence officers can earn around $87,000 per year.
Conclusion
But these are just some of the opportunities you can take on with your degree. Check out any of the online degree programs mentioned above or search for other Criminal Justice degree programs in your area to learn more.
With a degree in criminal justice, you can be the Sherlock Holmes or Jessica Fletcher of the real world, using your knowledge and skills to fight crime and uphold justice. So, whether you're interested in catching the bad guys, helping victims, or making a difference in your community, a criminal justice degree could be your first step toward an exciting and rewarding career.
