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Overview of Criminal Justice and Law Programs
The field of criminal justice revolves around both protecting innocent people and doling out appropriate punishment to those who break the law. Some jobs, like police officer, focus more on the former, while programs training paralegals and even private investigators pay more attention to the enforcement of laws.
Depending on where prospective employees expect to land professionally, criminal justice classes may include physically rigorous activities, so interested people should be fit. Deductive reasoning skills, patience, and initiative come in handy, as well.
Criminal Justice and Law Requirements
Qualifications vary by profession and state. For example, private investigators might complete criminal justice programs but do much of their training on the job. Traditionally, those wishing to practice must have a license.
Police officers may need four-year degrees to receive employment, though most departments have new members go through their own criminal justice schools as additional preparation. Finally, paralegals must typically earn a two- or four-year degree, most commonly relating to law in some way. Completing a criminal justice program is optional, but could prove useful.
Criminal Justice and Law Career Outlook
Because law enforcement jobs remain in demand throughout the country, interested professionals can expect steady employment options. Police officers, private investigators, and paralegals alike make anywhere from $50k to $60k each year.
Common Tasks
While enrolled at a criminal justice trade school, job hopefuls learn proper interview protocol and surveillance techniques, as well as how to successfully write reports. Among their daily tasks, all criminal justice and law careers must gather and organize information so that the results will hold up in a court setting.
Trade Schools with Criminal Justice and Law Programs
- Jefferson County Joint Vocational School
- Upper Iowa University
- Utica College
- Trident at American InterContinental University
- Santa Barbara Business College (SBBC)
- Penn State World Campus
- Oak Brook College of Law
- New England Institute of Technology
- National American University
- Franklin Pierce University
- Chapman University College
- CBD College
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Boston University
- Blackstone Career Institute
- Berkeley College
- U.S. Career Institute
- Strayer University
- International Business College
- Houston Community College
- Nova Southeastern University
- Colorado Technical University
- Walden University
- Wharton County Junior College
- Ashworth College
- California Coast University
- American Intercontinental University (AIU)
- Rasmussen College
- Platt College
- American National University
- Brookline College
- Bryan University
- Carrington College
- Central Christian College of Kansas
- City College
- ECPI University
- Grand Canyon University
- Grantham University
- Keiser University
- Miller-Motte College
- San Joaquin Valley College
- Saint Leo University
- Penn Foster College
- Institute of Technology
- Lansdale School of Business
- McCann School of Business & Technology
- New England College Online
- Pioneer Pacific College
- Post University
- Remington College
- South College
- Stratford Career Institute
- Sullivan University
- UEI College
- Vista College