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Job descriptions: Criminal justice

Criminal justice schools offer highly varied courses for this diverse and rewarding field. Which one is right for you?

People who attend criminal justice schools are usually people who wish to make an immediate difference in their communities. This field can be loosely divided into three separate but overlapping categories:

• law enforcement
• the court system
• the corrections system

You can usually find a criminal justice degree online for work in the court systems and some parts of law enforcement (such as white collar crime) as a convenient alternative to attending college full-time.

No matter what the position, anyone interested in criminal justice as a career path should enjoy working with people and the public and have a high regard for rules and regulations. Many criminal justice schools offer specialized degrees that can be completed quickly.

The fact is, more and more government positions require a four-year degree, although shorter programs are available. A criminal justice degree online would be a good example of an accelerated course you could add to an existing four-year degree quickly to move into the field. You should also know that graduate or professional degrees are required for positions as instructors, criminologists and administrators. Employment is expected to increase faster than average, according to the U.S. Department of Labor projections.

Another option for someone interested in criminal justice is to work directly with the court system. Jobs in the court system vary widely in position and salary. Positions for people interested in working in the court system include lawyers and their associates, such as legal assistants, paralegals and other support staff. Professional degrees are required for lawyers, while legal assistant and paralegal education may be earned at a career college or through on-the-job training.

Need help deciding on some criminal justice schools? Talk to a career advisor now - Call 866-529-1238.