What are the Careers in Criminal Justice
For many people, fighting crime is a calling too hard to resist. There is something noble, inspirational, and heroic about ridding the community of lawless elements, and doing everything one can to let fairness and justice prevail. If you’re one of the millions of people who want to pursue a career in criminal justice, then you may want to consider the many options for employment and career advancement available to you.
Criminal Justice Careers
The criminal justice system is a collection of practices, organizations, and individuals concerned with the administration of lawful, legal, and humane ways to deter, prevent, and deal with crime. Criminal justice systems vary all over the world, but most work within the rules and the framework prescribed by the laws of the country. Almost every criminal justice system in the world has four major components and career options:
The academe. University courses like law and criminology form the foundations of a criminal justice system. It may also include education and training in military institutions. In the academe, people teach and learn about the fundamentals of the criminal justice system, and how laws and protocols apply to a specific case or situation.
Police. The police form the backbone of the criminal justice system. Police are responsible for maintaining law and order in the community, as well as apprehending criminals and other people who disregard the law.
Correctional institutions. Prisons, detention facilities, and correctional institutions are where criminals are rehabilitated to become productive members of society once again. In some jurisdictions, capital punishment (death penalty) may be instituted for criminals who stand no chance of being corrected.
Law. The law forms the basis by which a society follows, understands, and interprets justice. It is in the law that a society judge whether an act is legal or illegal, if it constitutes a crime, and what sanction is suitable and proper for the offense.
As you can see, there are many options for criminal justice jobs.
Getting a Criminal Justice Degree
A criminal justice career requires the right degree in order to be practiced. There are two ways for you to get a criminal justice degree:
Military. You can start with a career in the military, whether it is in preparation for police training or for specialized tasks in law enforcement, like special weapons and training (SWAT) or high-risk operations like hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations. Military careers prepare future police officers for the difficulties of deterring and preventing crime.
Law school. For people training to be lawyers and judges, law school is where it all starts. Law degrees are designed to be very rigorous, where the intellectual and ethical strengths of a soon-to-be lawyer are tested. Law school educates students on the foundations of the law, how to interpret the law, and how to make the justice system work for the benefit of everyone.
Criminal Justice Degrees Online
You can use the Internet to browse for options to get a criminal justice degree online.
University applications. Many schools and academic institutions offer course outlines, application forms, and question-and-answer documents about the criminal justice degrees that they have to offer. The website of your chosen school can also help you get to know more about how to get into the school, and what to expect once you get accepted.
Online correspondence courses. Many academic institutions offer distance-learning options for differently-abled students, or for people who wish to take up a degree in criminal justice but cannot afford the tuition and other expenses of a full-time university education. You need not worry, because almost all jurisdictions accept graduation from an online correspondence course at the same level as a full university education.
Criminal justice is one of the most exciting, fulfilling, and important jobs in the community. With these tips to help you get a job in the criminal justice system, you’re sure to find your place and task in safeguarding everyone from crime and other lawless elements.