How to Get a Criminal Justice Degree and Launch Your Career

Getting a criminal justice degree is an excellent way to start a rewarding career serving your community. With so many options, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of earning a criminal justice degree and preparing for an exciting career.

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma

The first step to getting a criminal justice degree is completing high school and earning your high school diploma. While not required for all criminal justice programs, having a high school diploma opens up more options for higher education and careers.

Focus on taking classes that prepare you for college-level work, like English, math, social studies, and science Participate in extracurricular activities that demonstrate responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills These are all attractive qualities for criminal justice programs and future employers.

Step 2: Research and Apply to Criminal Justice Programs

Once you have your high school diploma, it’s time to research criminal justice programs that align with your interests and career goals.

There are several types of criminal justice degrees to choose from

• Associate’s Degree – Usually takes 2 years to complete Prepares you for entry-level careers

• Bachelor’s Degree – Typically takes 4 years to earn. Opens up more advanced careers.

• Master’s Degree – Takes 1-2 years post bachelor’s. Qualifies you for leadership roles.

• Doctoral Degree – Usually 4+ years post bachelor’s. Prepares you for research and academic careers.

Consider whether you want to study online, on-campus, or a hybrid model. Make sure your program is accredited by an organization like the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

Once you select some potential schools, complete applications and submit required documents like your high school transcript, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Many colleges have spring and fall application deadlines.

Step 3: Complete a Criminal Justice Degree Program

Now comes the fun part – diving into your criminal justice coursework! Standard courses cover topics like:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Investigations
• Corrections
• Juvenile Justice
• Criminal Procedure
• Research Methods
• Ethics

You’ll also take general education courses in writing, math, social sciences, and humanities. Courses will involve lectures, discussions, projects, and field experiences.

Aim to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Getting good grades shows your dedication and ability to handle the rigors of a criminal justice career.

Step 4: Complete an Internship

Gaining real-world experience through an internship is crucial. Many criminal justice programs integrate internships into the curriculum. If not, seek out opportunities within police departments, courts, law firms, corrections facilities, and other agencies.

Internships allow you to:

• Apply classroom concepts in a professional setting

• Make connections and grow your network

• Explore different careers to focus your interests

• Gain skills not taught in the classroom

• Get a foot in the door for future job opportunities

Treat your internship like a professional job by being punctual, dressing appropriately, and maintaining proper workplace etiquette.

Step 5: Graduate and Begin Your Exciting Criminal Justice Career!

Once you successfully complete all your coursework and internship requirements, it’s time to graduate and start your criminal justice career! With a degree in hand, you’ll be qualified for many rewarding and meaningful careers serving your community, including:

• Police Officer
• Probation Officer
• Correctional Officer
• Paralegal
• Private Investigator
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Victim Advocate
• Security Specialist

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your new degree, coursework, internships, and any other relevant experiences.

Identify open positions that interest you and tailor your cover letter and interview answers to each role. Highlight your passion for criminal justice and desire to help others.

With determination and dedication, you will be rewarded with a fulfilling career upholding justice and making a difference. The steps to get your criminal justice degree may seem daunting at first, but take it one step at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be graduating and embarking on an exciting and meaningful profession serving your community.