Criminal Justince Careers

As Americans become more focused on their safety, undergraduate job opportunities in criminal justice are expected to grow, especially in urban areas. Although a high school diploma is the minimum education requirement for most criminal justice careers, more and more employers require at least an undergraduate degree. With the criminal justice field becoming more competitive, more education will bring about better opportunities.

By 2016, criminal justice careers in law enforcement are expected to grow by 11 percent. Police officers maintain the peace in their assigned neighborhoods. They respond to calls and handle any disputes they come across. They make sure all laws are being followed and apprehend those who break them. Sheriffs and deputies function as police officers on a county level. State police officers help those involved in vehicle accidents and ensure traffic laws are being followed.

Criminal justice careers in the investigations field, such as private detective, often assist companies and individuals in solving cases such as theft or missing persons. Private detectives focus on one case at a time so that they are able to devote their time to solving the case before starting a new one. Although some private detectives are found in the government, they often have to multi-task and focus on several cases at once. Although there are no education requirements set in stone, many of those employed in this field have a degree in criminal justice. Criminal justice careers in the investigations field are expected to increase by 18 percent in the next few years.

Criminal justice careers in forensics are gaining popularity. Those in the forensic science field help solve crimes by collecting and analyzing crime scene evidence. They analyze DNA, test firearms and examine substances such as hair, fibers, glass and bodily fluids to see how they relate to the crime scene. Because evidence is often the key factor in determining whether or not the accused person committed the crime, a forensic scientist’s role is crucial to the legal process.