The Growing Demand for Criminal Justice Professionals

Starting with a strong foundation of criminal justice found in an academic setting, careers in criminology have exploded over the past 100 years in complexity and sophistication as technology has advanced rapidly. Founded on the principles of public service to provide the public with the safety and security they deserve as human beings, employment for criminal justice degrees covers a wide variety of fields depending on your interests, how you want to help preserve justice, and what you have a natural affinity for. With an academic background that emphasizes forensic science, court systems, ethics, and criminology.  

What is Criminal Justice?

Focusing on how justice is implemented on those who have committed a crime, criminal justice is defined as the system that implements this form of justice. This means that police officers the court system and correctional institutions are all under the umbrella of criminal justice. 

Once you dive a little deeper, criminal justice can be divided up into many different aspects, such as criminal psychology, the history and implementation of laws and how they are used within the court system and the procedure of imprisonment. Even parole and reentry of prisoners back into civilian life can be studied as an aspect of criminal justice, as it examines how effective a correctional system is at offering a better life solution for those who were locked up in prison. 

Is There a Growth of Criminal Justice Careers? 

Due to the diverse variety of jobs you can be qualified for with a criminal justice degree, the job outlook for criminal justice majors can be surprisingly high. Police and detectives are projected to grow over the next year at about a 4% rate, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

What Types of Careers Are There for Criminal Justice Professionals? 

With the wide range of careers in criminal justice available, these four are just a few of the many jobs you may apply for with a degree in criminal justice. Here we attempted to show the diversity, for your interests and skill set may vary, but there is always a niche position for you within the realm of criminal justice and criminology.

Intelligence Analyst 

Working within either the public (such as with the FBI) or the private sector, as long as being able to be an independent contractor, an intelligence analyst is a rapidly growing profession for criminal justice graduates. As someone who assesses information in order to identify security threats and help both develop and implement strategies to counteract them, an intelligence analyst is a vital cybersecurity role many organizations are on the lookout to hire. 

As reported by Glassdoor, the median annual salary for an intelligence analyst is $113,000.

Financial Examiner 

Another criminal justice career opportunity, a financial examiner works for a financial institution of some sort, such as a bank, and ensures that their actions comply with the laws and regulations when it comes to monetary transactions. In this, they can either work in consumer compliance, where they focus on assisting borrowers in making sure the bank is treating them fairly and legally, or they can focus on risk assessment, which has them ensuring that an organization can hand out loans while minimizing losses. 

As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a financial examiner makes $84,300 annually. 

Paralegal 

A perfect first step for someone joining the workforce with a degree in criminal justice, a paralegal works under the supervision of lawyers to help make sure a law firm is moving smoothly. They will perform legal research, draft up legal documents, and will assist in client communications on behalf of the firm. 

As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a paralegal makes $60,970 annually. 

Forensic Psychologist 

Working closely in the fields of criminology, clinical psychology, and criminal justice, a forensic psychologist applies these psychological skills to the legal system. Usually, they work within law enforcement to help their organization have a greater understanding of certain criminals, assessing their actions, their motives, and their past, among other variables. Forensic psychologists can be crucial within the court of law, as they help to shine a light on the otherwise confusing motives behind a criminal’s actions. 

As a type of psychologist, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that a psychologist makes $92,740 annually. 

Where to Start Learning about Criminal Justice Career Opportunities? 

To help organizations fight crime of all sorts, from cyberterrorism to petty theft, it starts with a proper education. From understanding how technology works within the justice system to understanding the effectiveness of ex-offender reentry programs, an associate’s criminal justice degree from a Chicago college like St. Augustine College is the first step in a criminal justice career. Offering a quality academic education that features flexible courses that work within your schedule, regardless if you are a working parent or are an adult educator returning to school, SAC’s faculty is here to help make your future a reality. Want to learn more about getting a degree in criminal justice? Learn more today.