For those who are interested in serving their communities and who want to advocate for the improvement of the criminal justice system, an online criminal justice degree is both a unique and exciting opportunity.
Students are able to explore many different topics within the criminal justice field, but they also can select specific courses within the curriculum to specialize their degree and direct their career into a path of their choosing. The criminal justice field is growing, and now is the ideal time for students to begin pursuing an online criminal justice degree.
Who Is Entering the Criminal Justice Field?
The criminal justice field is growing, and more people are taking interest in this industry. According to Data USA, about 57 percent of people who began studying criminal justice earned a bachelor's degree rather than an associate's degree or a professional certification. In fact, more than 61,000 people in the United States earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2015. With a bachelor's degree in hand, graduates are able to pursue higher-level positions within the criminal justice industry.
Decades ago, the criminal justice field was a male-dominated industry, as the majority of officers, detectives, and instructors were men. However, in recent decades, those demographic trends have changed significantly.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the number of female workers in the criminal justice industry is on the rise. The article notes that while the exact percentage will vary based on the size of the individual police force, approximately 8 percent of police officers are women. While the criminal justice industry is still predominantly male, there is an increasing number of women entering the criminal justice field in a variety of different positions.
What Job Opportunities Are Available with a Criminal Justice Degree?
Students who pursue an online criminal justice degree program will find there are many different positions within the field available to them after graduation. Common job opportunities include:
Police Officer — Police officers generally work for local or state municipalities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs will grow by about 4 percent throughout the next decade. The average police officer earns about $60,000 per year.
Forensic Scientist — A forensic scientist is responsible for assisting police officers and detectives during criminal investigations. They often collect evidence and analyze it further to help determine the cause of the crime. A bachelor's degree is required to enter this field, and this field is predicted to grow by more than 27 percent throughout the next decade, according to the BLS.. The average salary for a forensic scientist is about $56,000 per year.
Criminal Justice Teacher or Instructor — An individual with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice may choose to become an educator and help train those who are entering the criminal justice field.The BLS lists the average salary for criminal justice instructors at about $67,000 per year.
Investigator — Private investigators are responsible for searching for data, information, and records related to private matters. Private investigators may be hired to help their client gather information they need about a specific person or topic. There are about 35,000 private investigators in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the field is expected to grow by about 5 percent throughout the next 10 years. The average salary for a private investigator is $48,000 per year.
What Is the Earning Potential in This Field?
The salary an individual earns after graduation will depend highly upon the type of job they secure. Those who are able to obtain a management position within a police force or at a private agency are going to earn the greatest amount of income on an annual basis. Generally, those who pursue a career as a police officer will earn more than those who secure jobs as correctional officers, probation officers, and private security guards.
Why Earn a Bachelor Degree Online in Criminal Justice From Central Christian College of Kansas Online?
The online criminal justice degree program at Central Christian College of Kansas may help individuals interested in a fulfilling and lucrative career in criminal justice. The curriculum for this program focuses on providing students with a foundational understanding of the criminal justice industry and the history of criminal justice in the country.
In addition, the curriculum incorporates current events and weaves in the real-world challenges being faced by individuals in the criminal justice field. The program places a high priority ethical decision-making and choosing the best course of action on an individual as well as a community level. Students find that completing the program entirely online allows them to balance their personal and professional obligations while they achieve their goals.
Learn more about the innovative online criminal justice bachelor degree program at Central Christian College of Kansas Online and to find out if it is the right choice for your educational experience and career plans, contact our advisors today.