If you’ve always desired to work in the field of Criminal Justice, we applaud you! This line of work isn’t always for the faint of heart. Fighting crime and contributing to making society a better place can be mentally and physically challenging, depending on the type of work you do in the field.

Criminal Justice offers a variety of branches to choose from. Whether you prefer to investigate behind a desk or get out into the field, the possibilities are endless. Jobs in the Criminal Justice field are everywhere. They can be found on all levels, from private to federal.

1. Know the Law

This is an important one. If you are looking to “clean up” society, you want to be sure that you’re doing it the right way. Knowing the law is critical to making the right judgment. To work on behalf of the law, you need to know the law! Some people might be under the misconception that you only need to know the law if you study to become a paralegal or attorney, but that is not the case.

Any job in the Criminal Justice field is going to require some knowledge of the law. Florida National University (FNU), a regionally accredited university, has a great bachelor’s degree program in Criminal Justice Studies that offers the following law courses:

  • Introduction to Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • The Law of Evidence
  • Criminal Law
  • Tort Law
  • Correctional Law

2. Understand the Roles in Criminal and Justice Systems

Unfortunately, it’s not enough to just know the law. You also have to understand the roles within the judicial system and why it’s so important for professionals in this industry to know the law, and most importantly, how it applies to their field of work. Having a better understanding of how things work within the judicial system, like when cases are transferred to another department or entity, is a vital part of the system. It’s also important to understand how your role fits into the judicial system, what your role will be, and how you’ll be enforcing the law in your position. Obtaining a bigger picture of the judicial system as a whole will give you a better perspective of how you can contribute to the criminal justice profession.

3. Go Beyond Legal Knowledge

In addition to the law and common sense, other skills will be exceptionally useful when working in the field of Criminal Justice. Skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and multitasking are essential talents in this field of work. In the realm of Criminal Justice, a great deal of work involves solving problems. To do this well, you’re going to need to take some basic college courses like:

  • Introduction to Statistics
  • College Study Skills
  • Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation, Criminal Procedures
  • Methods of Research in Criminal Justice

4. Gain Experience in the Field

As mentioned earlier, most higher-paid jobs in the field of Criminal Justice are typically promoted from within. For high-level positions in Criminal Justice, ensure you have a strong resume that demonstrates your ability to take on additional responsibilities in this field.

5. Recognize the Reality of Studying Criminal Justice

Many people are drawn to studying criminal justice after watching television shows that portray the field as exciting or glamorous. While these shows can spark interest, they often oversimplify or exaggerate the reality of the profession. In truth, criminal justice professionals face serious and often difficult situations, from high crime rates in local communities to complex cases that require emotional resilience. The psychological stress of this work can be significant, which is why a career in criminal justice, depending on the path you choose, is not always for the faint of heart.

Criminology vs. Criminal Justice Studies: Key Differences

Criminology and criminal justice both deal with criminals and law enforcement. That is almost where their similarities end. Criminal justice encompasses all aspects of a crime, from the time of commission to the point of conviction and imprisonment, encompassing all aspects of a crime from the time it is committed right up until the criminal is found guilty and sent to prison. Criminal justice covers all areas of the American justice system.

Criminology deals not so much with the actual crime but rather with why it happened. What made the criminal do what they did? Criminology is closely related to sociology in that it focuses on researching the minds of criminals to understand what motivates them to commit crimes and how to prevent them in the future. Criminal justice just deals with what to do after the crime is committed.

Job Outlook for Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Careers

The field of criminal justice is extensive, offering numerous career opportunities. A criminal justice degree can be your point of entry into a law degree program, or enable you to work in politics, academia, advocacy, corrections, homeland security, or law enforcement—to name just a few criminal justice jobs.

The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the highest levels of employment in the Criminal Justice field are: colleges and universities, junior colleges,

Many jobs in law enforcement or criminal justice are public sector jobs. Unfortunately, crime is a fact of life that doesn’t take holidays or downtime. If you choose to work for a government agency, you will be considered a public servant, in which case your position is not as volatile since it isn’t as dependent on the ups and downs of the economy or a tough job market, as is the case with private sector positions.

In addition, criminal justice professionals working for the U.S. Department of Justice enjoy comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, training, tuition assistance, paid holidays, and sick leave.

Best Jobs in Criminal Justice

These are just a handful of jobs within the criminal justice field. Other careers related to studying criminal justice include:

  • Police Officers
  • Corrections Managers
  • Fire Investigators
  • Customs Officials

The first step in pursuing a career in criminal justice is to acquire the education and knowledge necessary to succeed in these fields. Those interested in these options should begin by studying criminal justice from an accredited university, such as Florida National University (FNU). Begin with an Associate of Arts degree, or take it to the next level with a Bachelor of Science.

Lawyer

A criminal lawyer represents a defendant in the criminal court system at the federal, state, and local levels. Criminal lawyers may work on multiple cases simultaneously, advising clients on the best course of action. They also spend time gathering evidence through eyewitness accounts, police reports, and any other relevant information pertinent to the case at hand. Other tasks a criminal lawyer performs on the job include:

  • Performing legal research
  • Creating exhibits for demonstrations in court
  • Creating arguments against the prosecution’s charges
  • Examining the crime scene

Students interested in this career should enroll in a criminal justice program to acquire the most comprehensive academic knowledge possible before pursuing law school. Studying criminal justice as an undergrad is the right foundation to pursue this career.

FBI Agents

The career path of an FBI Agent is an interesting one that requires additional training after receiving a degree in Criminal Justice Studies. FBI agents conduct sensitive investigations into matters such as terrorism, cybercrime, white-collar crime, civil rights violations, extortion, and other federal statute violations. Some of the duties they may perform include:

  • Research
  • Undercover investigations
  • Filling out reports
  • Testifying in federal court
  • Gathering evidence

Judges

Judges oversee the legal process in the court of law and determine whether an individual is charged with a crime. The position is a demanding one, requiring judges to sit in the courtroom for extended periods and give their undivided attention to each case, but it is a rewarding career. This position requires several years of experience and expertise in the law. Once achieved, a judge will serve a fixed, renewable term, ranging from 4 to 14 years.

Private Investigators

There are a myriad of specific kinds of private investigators, including financial investigators, legal investigators, computer forensic investigators, and corporate investigators. 

  • Financial Investigators focus on collecting financial information for individuals and companies that are attempting to make large transactions or to recover damages awarded by a court.
  • Legal investigators arrange criminal defenses, locate witnesses, and serve legal documents.
  • Computer Forensic Investigators will recover deleted emails, documents, and photographs. This also involves presenting the information found on a computer as evidence.
  • Corporate Investigators can conduct internal investigations for corporations, such as those related to drug use in the workplace, and examine expense accounts to ensure they are not being misused. They can also conduct external investigations, such as trying to stop fraudulent billing from a supplier.

Forensic Psychologists

Related to criminology is forensic psychology. In the forensic field, a psychologist will use their understanding of human behavior to assist in crime scene investigations. They also study the habits of criminals to gain a better understanding of the criminal mind. They may also be asked to predict crimes or conduct interviews with criminals and their loved ones. This highly specialized position requires conducting extensive research to aid in solving an intricate puzzle of crimes. Often, forensic psychologists will treat incarcerated criminals for substance abuse problems or other mental illnesses.

Learn more about how forensic psychology plays a role in criminal justice!

  • Intelligence Analysts

Intelligence analysts play a crucial role in national security. They are responsible for piecing together information to better understand the threats and public safety issues. Within this career, there are three distinct paths — all of which are assembled from the same intelligence cycle: planning, collection, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination and reporting.

Criminologists

Criminologists study and consider various factors to understand why criminals commit the crimes that they do. They often employ a psychological approach, paired with biological and social methods, to gain a deeper understanding of an individual criminal or a group of criminals.

Through these methods, they attempt to evaluate motivation, patterns of action, and the demographics related to a crime. With that, they create a criminal profile that is used by law enforcement to identify and assess similar criminals. After creating profiles, criminologists are required to write extensive reports on their findings.

Study Criminal Justice at FNU

Setting career goals is an important step for college students to consider, and planning for the future is one of the best ways to ensure you reach your goals. If you are ready to start taking criminal justice courses or are interested in another one of our programs, Florida National University invites you to apply today!