Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice is the study of agencies’ responses to criminal and delinquent behavior, the relationship among these agencies, and policies that impact the process through which justice is administered. Major criminal justice areas are law enforcement, criminal courts, and corrections *
Sample Occupations
- Government
- FBI/CIA Agent
- Secret Service Officer
- IRS Agent
- Law Enforcement
- Police Officer
- Detective
- Border Patrol Agent
- Crime Analyst
- Judicial System
- Judge
- Lawyer
- Hearing Officer
- Paralegal
- Probation Officer
- Bailiff
- Policy Advisor
- Court Reporter
- Business/Loss Prevention
- Gaming Surveillance Officer
- Security Guard
- Internet Security Officer
- Social Services
- Group Home Manager
- Intake Counselor
- Residential Counselor
- Victim Coordinator
- Child Welfare Caseworker
Types of Employers
- Juvenile Group Homes
- Correction Facilities
- Halfway Houses
- Law Firms
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- State & Federal Courts
- Corporate Legal Departments
- Banks & Retail Organizations
- Hotels & Resorts
Preparing for your career in
Judicial System: Develop strong research and writing skills, obtain court reporting or paralegal certification, maintain high GPA and get strong faculty recommendations to attend law school, participate in mock trial groups or debate teams, intern and become familiar with courtroom proceedings
Law Enforcement: Volunteer or intern in a police or campus safety department, complete a formal police academy program upon graduation, develop strong interviewing and researching skills, stay physically fit, for a career in forensics—double major in biology or chemistry, complete an internship in a crime lab, and earn a master’s degree in forensic science
Social Services: Volunteer or intern with nonprofit organizations dealing with substance abuse, rehabilitation, or social casework, learn to work with people of diverse backgrounds, to work with juveniles—get experience through tutoring, summer camps, or sports teams and take electives in child and adolescent development, develop conflict mediation skills, obtain a master’s degree in social work or counseling for therapy positions or in criminal justice or business for upper-level positions in facilities
Business/Loss Prevention: Supplement coursework with business and computer science classes, learn the hardware and software of security systems, develop excellent communication and presentation skills, become familiar with crime trends in given industries, get part-time employment in retail to learn crime prevention procedures, intern with a company or corporation’s information technology department
How do I know if its right for me?
ASSESS: Take a career assessment, such as PathwayU, to see how your interests, values, and personality fit with majors and careers.
RESEARCH: Research the careers on this WCIDWAMI and thousands of other careers using O*Net Online, The Occupational Outlook Handbook or FirstHand.
EXPLORE: Learn more about a career field of interest by job shadowing, attending a career panel, or participating in a Career Trek. Further your exploration while gaining valuable skills by completing an internship, co-op, volunteer, or research experience.