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An associate degree in criminal justice can lead to various career paths in law enforcement and public safety, forensics and investigations, and court and legal support.
Earning this degree qualifies you to perform countless jobs within the criminal justice system.
Therefore, if you’re interested in earning an associate degree in criminal justice, then it’s important to understand your career options before entering college, so you can tailor your curriculum toward an area of interest.
You should also follow the five tips below when searching for a job in the field to maximize results.
Keep reading to learn more about the numerous career options you have by earning a two-year criminal justice associate degree!
An associate degree in criminal justice is an excellent foundation or entry-level position in the following fields:
Law Enforcement and Public Safety
1. Correctional Officer
A correctional officer is an individual who maintains safety and order in a correctional facility, enforces rules and regulations, and monitors behavior.
They ensure the premises meet safety and health standards, conduct cell and inmate searches, schedule work assignments, and supervise inmates.
They usually work within a team of other officers.
The average U.S. salary is $39,810 per year.
2. Crime Prevention Specialist
Although police forces across the United States do an excellent job at maintaining safety, more communities are hiring crime prevention specialists to make neighborhoods safer and reduce crime rates.
Crime prevention strategists accomplish this feat by researching and analyzing communities, setting up neighborhood watch programs, implementing security measures, and making other recommendations to reduce crime.
The goal is to take proactive measures to stop crime before it happens.
The average national income for a crime prevention specialist is $58,468.
3. Fire Investigator
A fire investigator focuses solely on how a fire was caused at a specific location.
During their investigation process, they gather evidence, interview witnesses, help identify the fire’s origin, and arrest suspects related to the incident.
Fire investigators may also work as inspectors to ensure buildings are following the proper safety protocols to prevent fires or limit the outbreak if a fire occurs.
These investigators average a yearly salary of $78,254.
4. Police Officer
Police officers are responsible for protecting property and people within a specific jurisdiction, enforcing laws, and maintaining public safety.
These legal professionals secure crime scenes, arrest those suspected of committing a crime, conduct patrols, and issue traffic citations.
In larger departments, officers are typically organized into units specializing in specific crimes like drug trafficking and fraud.
A typical police officer averages $59,621 per year for their brave work.
5. Security Guard
Security guards are responsible for protecting and patrolling specific locations, such as schools, offices, businesses, warehouses, and industrial facilities.
Security professionals must utilize surveillance equipment to record and report unusual and unauthorized activities.
Most also interact with visitors to the site and could direct traffic, offer customer service assistance, or escort unruly individuals from the property.
The national average security guard salary is $48,607 per year.
6. State Trooper
A state trooper is responsible for conducting criminal investigations, responding to emergencies and accidents, and enforcing traffic laws.
Other duties include providing backup for local law enforcement when necessary, assisting motorists, issuing citations, and maintaining public safety on roads and state highways by patrolling within their area.
Additionally, troopers must provide public education related to safety topics, manage road closures when different types of emergencies occur, and arrest suspects related to an investigation.
The main difference between a state trooper and a police officer is that troopers have jurisdiction across the entire state, whereas officers can only enforce laws within their jurisdiction or district.
The average national salary of a state trooper is $55,123.
Forensics and Investigations
7. Evidence Technician
With an average annual U.S. compensation of $47,853, evidence technicians collect, process, and store physical evidence for each criminal case.
They work with investigators to analyze evidence and create a case against suspects that could go to court.
Evidence technicians must maintain the chain of custody, which requires them to document all evidence collected and movement to certify authenticity.
These professionals must also conduct lab tests and report findings in court.
8. Fingerprint Technician
A fingerprint technician collects and analyzes fingerprints to identify suspects in criminal investigations.
The typical duties in this role include recording print data, analyzing fingerprint patterns, checking prints against databases, and processing fingerprints of suspects.
These professionals may also testify in court regarding their findings and opinions during a criminal investigation.
The median U.S. salary for a fingerprint technician is $44,262.
9. Forensic Ballistics Expert
Forensic Ballistics Experts are responsible for reconstructing shooting events, matching casings and bullets to different types of firearms, determining weapons used in a crime, and analyzing ammunition and firearms evidence.
These firearms professionals then prepare detailed reports of their investigation and are often called to court for testimony to explain complicated evidence to juries and judges as an expert witness.
The average national yearly income for a forensic ballistics expert is around $84,400.
10. Forensic Science Technician
With an average salary of $58,000 per year, forensic science technicians continue to be in high demand due to their skills in supporting legal cases.
The duties of those in this profession include gathering evidence from a crime scene and then processing it at a laboratory.
Field duties while at a crime scene include taking photographs, making sketches of the area, recording observations, and organizing gathered evidence.
Once at the lab, they must analyze evidence through chemical processes, conduct DNA tests, and discuss the findings with other technicians to conclude.
11. Fraud Investigator
A fraud investigator uncovers, investigates, and prevents fraudulent transactions and activities by interviewing suspects and witnesses, gathering evidence, and analyzing financial records.
Other common responsibilities include preparing documentation for legal proceedings, recommending improvements to internal controls to prevent fraud, and documenting all findings.
Those opting to become a fraud investigator must have extensive knowledge of regulatory and anti-fraud frameworks, exceptional written and verbal communication, excellent attention to detail, and strong analytical skills.
The average annual U.S. salary for a fraud investigator is $64,132.
12. Insurance Investigator
An insurance investigator assesses and researches insurance claims that a company may suspect of fraud.
Typical duties include collaborating with law enforcement or private investigators, conducting background checks on individuals or organizations, surveying the area of a specific incident, and gathering information about the claim they are investigating.
These professionals specialize in specific types of insurance claims, such as life insurance, workers’ compensation, or disability.
Some insurance investigators work for corporations within the fraud department to aid legal teams in certain types of cases.
The average yearly salary for an insurance investigator is $56,521.
13. Private Investigator
The primary duties of a private investigator are to discover information for an organization or individual regarding personal, legal, or professional matters.
These investigatory experts gather evidence that could be presented in court, conduct background checks, perform surveillance on different parties or individuals, and gather information using technology.
Private investigators could also serve subpoenas, summons, and different types of legal documents for those involved in a case.
The average U.S. salary for a private investigator is $47,628.
Court and Legal Support
14. Bailiff
Bailiffs maintain security and order in courtrooms by ensuring all individuals follow courtroom procedures.
They also protect jurors and judges, escort defendants and plaintiffs to and from the courtroom, announce the judge, and handle crucial evidence.
The average national salary of a bailiff is $41,832 per year.
15. Court Clerk
Court clerks are responsible for handling financial and administrative tasks, managing case files, and maintaining court records.
Other tasks include documenting court proceedings, assisting the judge and court staff, gathering fines and fees, and issuing legal documents like summonses and subpoenas.
Court clerks may also interact with law enforcement, attorneys, and the general public, and can prepare juries and swear in witnesses.
A court clerk nationally makes $45,000 to $46,000 per year.
16. Court Reporter
Court reporters work in the courtroom and are responsible for creating an official, exact record of all spoken words during a court proceeding, like a deposition or trial.
These typing experts utilize voice writing equipment or a stenotype machine.
The most common duties include noting actions and gestures during the hearing, identifying speakers, and transcribing dialogue.
The final product from the legal proceeding is then certified, and written transcripts can be used in the future for appeal or reference.
A court reporter’s annual salary averages $67,310.
17. Paralegal
Paralegals average an annual salary of $55,228 by assisting lawyers at government agencies, corporations, and law firms with trial preparation, correspondence, and legal research.
Paralegals help attorneys during trial, gather information documents, research cases, write legal documents and reports, and conduct client interviews.
Paralegals are becoming increasingly important to law firms, with many also writing, preparing, and notarizing civil documents like separation agreements, mortgages, and wills.
18. Probation Officer
Probation officers supervise those who are ordered by the court to be on probation as an alternative to jail time.
These professionals work with probationers to ensure they follow the terms of probation set forth by the presiding judge in a criminal case.
Typical duties of a probation officer include documenting the probationer’s or addict’s progress, scheduling rehabilitation programs for addicts, and meeting with probationers at a scheduled time, date, and location.
The average probation officers make $50,323 per year.
19. Victim Advocate
With an average annual salary of $41,847, a victim advocate supports victims throughout the trial.
They may counsel them, provide information about court proceedings, organize their transport to and from trials and hearings, perform daily tasks, or help them apply for public assistance.
Some victim advocates work with other legal groups to modify or create government policies.
5 Tips for Criminal Justice Graduates Looking for a Job
When searching for a job in the criminal justice field, it’s important to follow these tips:
1. Create a Targeted Job Search
The criminal justice field is vast, with numerous career options and paths new graduates can take.
Therefore, you need to determine your best skills to help research different types of interesting roles.
As part of your search, make sure to look beyond traditional positions by including private sector jobs, like at fraud departments in banks.
You can narrow your search to specific agencies and research their hiring processes to be prepared for an interview.
2. Prepare for the Hiring Process
The best way to prepare for criminal justice interviews is by starting with practice interviews.
Utilizing the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will help prepare your experience and skills effectively.
Also, always be prepared for multiple steps, including several interviews, a background check, a physical exam, and potentially a written exam.
Finally, always market yourself in the interview by emphasizing your strengths and what you can bring to the table.
3. Monitor Your Online Presence
Many potential employers, like law enforcement agencies, will go beyond your background check and review all social media accounts.
Therefore, it’s important to clean up your profiles before applying for the position.
The key is to present yourself professionally in all aspects of life by editing accounts to remove inappropriate content.
You can even curate your online persona to highlight achievements and skills.
4. There’s No Substitute for Experience
Like with most positions, competition for entry-level roles within the criminal justice field is cutthroat.
Therefore, having experience in your area of specialization can drastically differentiate you from the competition.
While pursuing your associate degree in criminal justice, it’s important to also do an internship or co-op, which will give you the firsthand experience needed to excel in the position.
5. Articulate Ethics, Honesty, and Integrity
With great power comes great responsibility.
This is especially true for many careers within the criminal justice system, where certain professionals have power over the general public.
During interviews and when presenting your resume, it’s important to highlight your commitment to ethics, honesty, and integrity within your personal life, since it’s such a major part of criminal justice.
Hiring managers will appreciate this commitment, and it will give you one step up on the competition.
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