Criminal Justice Majors

Doing Yourself Justice: Resumes That Showcase Your Skills

2008-05-14T10:23:00.001-07:00

by Kathryn Reid, ResumeEdge.com Editor, CPRW

It's tempting to think of the criminal justice field as recession-proof. “The more laws, the more offenders,” isn't a bumper sticker slogan. The line made its first published appearance in 1732, in Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs, a book compiled by Thomas Fuller, a British physician.

It's reasonable to assume, though, that as long as there are opportunities for crime, there will be criminals – and plenty of jobs for criminal justice majors. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006 – 2007 Edition, (http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm) positions for correctional treatment specialists are expected to increase 9 to 17% through 2014. Private investigative and security work, another sector in which criminal justice degrees are highly desirable, has a projected growth rate of 18 to 26% over the same timeframe. Here, the Department of Labor cautions that “keen competition is expected because private detective and investigator careers attract many qualified people, including relatively young retirees from law enforcement and military careers.”

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The Fight to Protect Creativity: Patent Law and the Paralegal

2007-10-25T12:02:00.001-07:00

Patent administration is one of fastest growing and highest paid areas of legal administration. Qualified patent paralegals (also called patent specialists or patent secretaries) are in high demand—and can earn up to 50% more than the average paralegal!

Patent, Copyrights, Trademarks—oh my!

A patent is "a set of exclusive rights granted by a state to a patentee for a fixed period of time in exchange for a disclosure of an invention." The procedure for granting patents can vary widely between countries according to national laws and international agreements. Basically, it boils down to this: a patent application must include one or more claims defining the invention, and the invention must be new, inventive, and useful or industrially applicable. Once the patent is in hand, the inventor has exclusive rights over the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of the invention.

Keeping Us Safe: Careers in Homeland Security

2007-10-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

After the events of September 11, 2001, many were stirred to action. Some joined the armed forces. Others became police officers and firemen after watching the heroic acts of that day. Not long after the towers fell, the U.S. government decided to do even more to protect our shores and established the Department of Homeland Security.

Those who are looking to serve the nation but are not interested in joining the military should consider working in homeland security. Those who work in this field anticipate and respond to events that affect the nation—from pandemics to hurricanes to terrorism. With multiple offices in Washington, DC, and hundreds of offices throughout the country, homeland security is a diverse and dynamic field that’s rife with opportunity. Earning a degree in criminal justice is an excellent step in preparing for work in homeland security.

Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Majors

2007-08-21T08:43:00.002-07:00

Let’s face it: College can be expensive. If you’re looking for financial aid to help pay for your degree in criminal justice, it’s essential that you look into all possible sources!

As with any discipline, the place to start your financial aid search is with the federal government. First of all, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA in order to determine the types and amount of federal aid for which you qualify. Federal aid includes grants, work-study awards, and loans. It’s also the largest single source of available aid. To get your share, complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of the year in which you intend to enroll.

After you have filed the FAFSA, it’s time to look into grants and scholarships, especially those earmarked for criminal justice students. Online scholarship search engines abound and can often provide details on scholarships about which you may not be aware. Also try entering terms such as “criminal justice scholarships” or “criminal justice awards” into a search engine, such as Google. This is a particularly good way to gain an overview of the many school-sponsored awards for which you may qualify.

Criminal Justice Profile: Paralegal

2007-08-21T08:43:00.001-07:00

Myra Rivera never planned to become a paralegal. “I actually didn’t choose it. It kind of chose me,” she says. But while she was in college, she got a job working at a law firm. “I was studying a social work major, but I really needed a part-time job. I found it as a receptionist in a small legal office, and the rest is history. It’s a very satisfying place to work; especially because you have such a personal connection to the people you help.” Myra also found that being bilingual was a huge asset as a paralegal. “I found I could really help people and the fact that I was bilingual was of so much use in this field,” she says.

She graduated in Paralegal Studies at Montgomery College, Maryland in 2004. When asked why she chose that particular school she says, “Because it was convenient to work, home, and my pocketbook. The tuition was very reasonable and they had classes at all hours of the day. The campus was also very convenient.”

Public Sector Careers for Criminal Justice Grads

2007-08-21T08:42:00.001-07:00

Considering a career in criminal justice? The public sector offers a wealth of opportunities to well trained candidates with the right background and training. Providing security, challenges, and the chance to protect and serve, there are numerous available public-sector careers in criminal justice.

Here are just a few of the careers you might pursue as a graduate with a degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field:

• Probation or Correction Officer: Enjoy helping people? Probation and correction officers work with criminal offenders to keep them safe and help them rehabilitate when they re-enter society.
• Paralegal: With numerous government agencies churning out mountains of documents, paralegals remain essential in providing research and organizational assistance.

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Private Sector Careers for Criminal Justice Grads

2007-08-21T08:41:00.001-07:00

With multiple versions of CSI drawing the ratings on TV, it’s safe to say that criminal justice, as a field, is in the public eye. Of course, the real world of criminal justice is a little different from what you see during prime time. Believe it or not, most crime scene investigators have a single area of specialty—and it usually takes more than a half hour to get results.

Nevertheless, criminal justice continues to be an exciting and rewarding field.

Think you have what it takes to be a PI? Maybe so, but that’s not the only track available to you once you’ve earned a criminal justice or criminology degree. In fact, the field is so diverse, there’s literally almost a job for every personality.

Here’s some information on just a few:

Hot Disciplines in Criminal Justice

2007-08-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Interested in getting into one of the hot disciplines in criminal justice? As the world grows ever more complex, the process by which justice is administered follows suit. For that reason, academic criminal justice programs offer an increasing number of specialty areas in which you might focus your study.

Whether you’re a computer geek with an eye for crime or a people person with the drive to help rehabilitate criminals released on probation, a targeted course of study in an accredited criminal justice program will prepare you to enter this fast-paced and rewarding field.

Here are just a few of the disciplines within criminal justice that are attracting students of late:

Crime scene investigation and forensics. As you might expect, this well-publicized discipline attracts a steady crowd of hopeful crime scene investigators. Of course, learning to be a forensic scientist takes a lot of work. Be prepared for challenging courses in the hard sciences if you want to be the next CSI.

Career Profile: Private Investigator

2007-08-21T08:39:00.002-07:00

Before the forensic scientist was all over TV (CSI, anyone?), the criminal justice stars of the day were nearly all Private Detectives. From the Rockford Files to Moonlighting to Magnum, P.I., there were almost more private detectives on television than there were in the field. While being a private detective may not be in the spotlight today, it is still a thriving field.

So, what does a private detective do? Well, obviously, they investigate. Investigators and private detectives discover facts by employing a number of different investigation techniques. Different types of surveillance and search techniques are used to conduct these investigations; investigators may place phone calls or visit places of employment to verify facts about someone’s work or income.

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Graduate Degrees in Criminal Justice

2007-08-21T08:39:00.001-07:00

A graduate degree in criminal justice will help to set you apart from the rest in the growing—but sometimes competitive—field of criminal justice.

When choosing a graduate program, it is very important to accurately define your goals and reasons for pursuing a higher degree. In order to find the graduate criminal justice program that’s right for you, roll up your sleeves and conduct an investigation! A good place to start is with the faculty at each criminal justice program you are considering. What are their interests? Do they correlate with your own? Since graduate school is about becoming a specialist, you’ll want to find criminal justice programs that are explicitly aligned with your interests.

Graduate criminal justice programs exist at both the master’s and doctoral level, with available programs including the following:

Getting Your Criminal Justice Degree Online

2007-08-21T08:36:00.001-07:00

Criminal justice is a popular discipline, and for that reason, the Internet is flooded with information about online programs. Sound like the path for you? If so, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do some research. There are many online criminal justice programs that will equip you with the skills you need—the key is to find one that’s both accredited and tailored to your interests.

The obvious benefit of studying online, regardless of the discipline, is convenience. If you are already in the workforce, or balancing the obligations of work, school, and family, an online program often gives you the flexibility to study on your own time and at your own pace. Indeed, you can attend many of the country’s most prestigious universities as an online student, which makes it possible to move forward in your career while you work!

Criminal Justice Programs: Admissions Requirements and Process

2007-08-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

A degree in criminal justice can put you on the fast track to a rewarding and exciting career. As you consider the various available degrees that can prepare you for a criminal justice career, it’s worthwhile to consider what you want to do once you graduate.

Two-year programs. If you’re looking to work as a security guard, forensic technician, or paralegal, you will benefit from training at the two-year associate degree level. To get started, you will normally need a high school diploma or GED. From there, all you will likely need to do is enroll and declare your intent to study criminal justice. Be aware that there are sometimes waiting lists for popular programs. Keep in mind that some employers may prefer candidates with a higher degree, depending on your field.

Criminal Justice Programs: Choosing the Right School

2007-08-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

When you start researching potential criminal justice programs, whether undergraduate or graduate, you may be surprised by the sheer number of options from which you have to choose. In part, this can be attributed to the recent fanfare surrounding the field. Between popular TV shows and a national emphasis on homeland security, numerous individuals have been inspired to pursue a criminal justice or criminology career.

So how do you find the one that’s right for you? That depends. To start, you should think about what you intend to do with your criminal justice degree. The best path for a future police detective differs from that of a future forensic scientist. If you aren’t yet sure of your intended career, that’s OK. However, it can definitely help to guide your choice if you do have a goal.

Starting Salaries for Criminal Justice Grads

2007-08-21T08:33:00.002-07:00

In a field as diverse as criminal justice, there is a wide array of possible career paths, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s the good news: the need for professionals with a background in criminal justice is predicted to show continued growth for the foreseeable future. That’s according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the government agency that tracks such things.

It is certainly possible to command a hefty salary when you work in criminal justice. (Criminal lawyers come to mind.) However, do not let your salary potential be your only consideration as you plan your criminal justice career. Many criminology jobs offer intense rewards, such as helping others and maintaining public safety. While some may offer more eye-popping starting paychecks than others, all are worthy of consideration.

College Degrees in Criminal Justice

2007-08-21T08:33:00.001-07:00

If you’re interested in crime and public policy, then a college major in criminal justice or criminology could be right up your alley.

Perhaps you’ve already envisioned yourself at the scene of an unsolved crime, uncovering the one piece of evidence that puts the puzzle in place. (Did you ever notice how quickly that occurs on TV?) Of course, that could happen, but it’s wise to consider that crime scene investigation and forensics are just two of the many, many paths available to you when you earn your degree in criminal justice.

For example, did you know that criminal justice is a popular major for prelaw students? Law schools like to admit students from diverse educational backgrounds, and criminal justice students are often well prepared to appreciate the importance of the legal system. So, if you aim to practice criminal law, a college degree in criminal justice is a logical first step.

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Where Do I Start?

2007-08-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

You’ve determined that a career in Criminal Justice is for you. But how to begin? We’re here to help. Below you’ll find the Who, Why, What, Where and How of earning your college degree.

Who

You, of course, that’s who. What do you want out of your criminal justice degree? Do you have a degree path in mind? Take some time to consider things. What do you do well when it comes to school? Are you a social butterfly or a bookworm? Do you enjoy the classroom, or do you prefer hanging out online? What is important to you? What gave you trouble in school—writing papers, taking notes, or showing up to class prepared?

All of these are important factors to consider before moving forward. A good exercise is to sit down and write down answers to the questions above. College is challenging, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses before you go in is key. Take the time to really dig deep and understand yourself before taking the next step.