Criminal justice is a vast field and elements that require tending to by experts in those specific fields. Today, ensuring fair and impartial justice for criminals and victims has created a need for professionals to tend to each area.
From police work, crime investigation, and prosecution to rehab, victim support, and crime prevention, the field is vast and provides a lot of opportunities. So, let’s talk about criminal justice as a career and the types of degrees and majors you can pursue.
But first, what exactly is criminal justice? What will you be studying in it? And how many specializations are there? Let’s find out.
Ultimate Guide to Criminal Justice Degrees and Majors
What Do You Study in Criminal Justice?
Available Programs for Criminal Justice Degrees
Types of Courses in Criminal Justice Programs
Specialization in Criminal Justice Studies
How to Choose a Major in Criminal Justice?
Student Experience with a Criminal Justice Degree
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is criminal justice a hard major?
I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, now what?
What can you do with a criminal justice degree besides being a cop?
What major is best for criminal justice?
How long does a criminal justice degree take?
What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice refers to the governmental systems, institutions, and processes devised to uphold societal order. The criminal justice system enforces laws by apprehending offenders, and delivering justice to wrongdoers.
The process of delivering said justice goes through three main components of law, including:
- Law enforcement, such as police and federal agencies.
- Judicial courts.
- Correctional facilities, such as prisons and rehab centers.
The purpose of this system is to punish and rehabilitate offenders/perpetrators while preventing crime and providing support to victims.
Criminal Justice Statistics
If you consider criminal justice in numbers, you’ll see the importance of this field. The following statistics will give you a further idea about this professional field, jobs, and other important facts:
- Around 10 percent of graduates pursue careers in criminal justice.
- Criminal justice professionals (investigators and detectives earn around $86,000 per year.
- The job outlook for criminal justice professionals in the USA is around 4 percent.
- Around 1200 accredited degrees/programs are offered in the US in this field.
- Despite media reporting, there has been a 49 percent decline in violent crime in the US since 1993.
- For all the murder cases reported, police managed to clear only 52 percent in 2022.
- Around 3 million violent crimes were reported in 2023.
What Do You Study in Criminal Justice?
The criminal justice degree provides advanced education regarding the criminal justice system. These bachelor’s degrees will focus on the basics of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. However, it’ll also focus on critical areas like criminal law, criminology, forensic psychology, etc.
Besides, these criminal justice degrees comprise topics related to crime, law enforcement, and the legal system. Medical, psychology, and other subjects also come into play if the degree’s focus is on forensic science. Usually, the five pillars of a major in criminal justice include:
- Foundations of Criminal Justice
- Criminology
- Legal Studies
- Research Methodologies
- Ethics and Professionalism
The basics of any criminal justice degree will focus on the structure and function of law enforcement. It will also emphasize the causes of criminal behavior, as well as psychological and societal factors. Lastly, students are also taught crime prevention strategies and creating criminal justice policies.
Besides, degrees vary from associate to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Each level of degree provides relative knowledge and understanding of the field. So, the studies in this field will focus on important areas of the trade, such as crime analysis, criminal psychology, etc.
However, there are many more, and each specialization covers that specific area. Thus, it prepares graduates for various levels of careers in criminal justice, such as law enforcement, legal services, and correctional facilities.
Available Programs for Criminal Justice Degrees
You can find a criminal justice degree online or on campus quite easily. Most colleges and universities across the United States provide choices in terms of criminal justice degrees. So, you can look up in-state programs to save on tuition costs. However, here are some of the top programs we found:
| School | Degree/Program | Average Cost | Acceptance Rate |
| Rosemont College | Associate of Science in Criminal Justice | $15,000 | 76% |
| Franklin University | Online Associate in Criminal Justice | $9,500 | 93% |
| ECPI University | Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice | $22,000 | 83% |
| FIU Online | Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice | $8,000 | 64% |
| California Southern University | Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice | $20,000 | 13% |
| Governors State University | Master of Arts in Criminal Justice | $9,000 | 57% |
| ASU Online | Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice | $13,000 | 64% |
There are more colleges with criminal justice majors, but it also boils down to the specialization that you’d like to pursue. These are general criminal justice associate degree options, as well as choices for those pursuing master’s or bachelor’s programs.
The variances in this career can be understood by looking at the degrees offered by criminal justice schools. You can pursue specializations that allow you to become a Game Warden and Conservation Officer, as well as an FBI Agent, U.S. Marshal, Police Officer, etc.
Types of Courses in Criminal Justice Programs
You’ll find learning and understanding the basics of law in most criminal justice degrees. However, there are specific courses and areas of study that require particular focus. There are tens of different degree specializations and hundreds of different classes.
However, there are some typical courses that you’ll find in any criminal justice major’s description. So, here are some of the recurring courses you’ll find in a criminal justice curriculum:
| Course Title | Degree Level | Description |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | Bachelor’s | Basics of the criminal justice system and outline of its structure and functions. |
| Research Methods in Criminal Justice | Bachelor’s | Research methods used in criminal justice studies include the basics of conducting an investigation. |
| Criminology | Bachelor’s | The causes of crime and societal impacts of illicit behavior. |
| Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s | Introduction to policing practices and basics of law enforcement agencies. |
| Corrections | Bachelor’s | Correctional systems and basics of rehabilitation methods. |
| Victimology | Bachelor’s | Explanations of victim rights and impact of crime on society, particularly individuals and affected. |
| Juvenile Justice | Bachelor’s/Master’s | Introduction to juvenile justice system in bachelor’s programs, but advanced studies on a master’s level. |
| Criminal Law | Bachelor’s/Master’s | Understanding criminal law, including state and federal laws. Also, studying liability and sentencing rules. |
| Criminal Procedures | Master’s | Detailed studies of legal processing, criminal cases, and search and seizure laws. |
| Ethics in Criminal Justice | Master’s | Principles and morals for professionals working in the criminal justice field. |
Specialization in Criminal Justice Studies
In most criminal justice major colleges or universities, you’ll find pillar courses. These courses include the ones we mentioned above, such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Criminal Law. However, specializations have their specific courses.
These specializations enable the student to pursue their chosen careers. Here are some of the top specializations you can pursue in a criminal justice degree:
Criminal Justice Investigation
The Criminal Justice Investigation specialization focuses on investigative elements of criminal justice. This includes crime analysis, evidence collection, and legal procedures. The degree will prepare students to pursue law enforcement, private investigation, and forensic science careers.
Criminal Justice Administrations
The Criminal Justice Administration concentrates on the management and operation of law enforcement. That’s why you’ll find courses focused on policy development, evaluation, and leadership. It prepares students to pursue jobs in the management of law enforcement agencies and safety administration.
Criminology
Criminology specialization in Criminal Justice degrees develops critical thinking regarding criminal behavior, societal impacts, and crime-prevention strategies. It’ll prepare you for careers in law enforcement, research, policy-making, and courthouses.
Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis is a specialization in statistical and quantitative analysis of crime. It equips you with an understanding of crime patterns, trends, and general statistics. This enables you to make data-driven decisions utilizing technology and advanced research methods in law enforcement for crime prevention and policy making.
Criminal Psychology
Criminal Psychology specialization focuses on psychological factors that influence criminal behavior. This includes studying criminal motives, mental health, familiar tropes, and profiling techniques. This specialization prepares you with law enforcement principles in the light of psychology. Thus, careers in counseling or rehabilitation are common with this degree.
Corrections
Corrections specialization in Criminal Justice focuses on offender management. Therefore, the degree helps prepare learners to manage jails, correctional facilities, etc. It focuses on criminology and psychology, as well as social work and human rights.
Counterterrorism
Counterterrorism concentration prepares students to combat terrorism. This specialization covers threat assessment, intelligence analysis, crisis management, etc. This is particularly ideal for those who wish to pursue careers with FBI, Homeland Security, etc.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity specialization concentrates on digital protection. This includes the basics of investigating cybercrimes and covers network security, digital forensics, and prevention tactics. That’s why it’s ideal to pursue work in digital sections of law enforcement, as well as other government agencies.
Criminal Law
Criminal Law is not to be confused with the course of the same name. Instead of just a course, this degree specialization focuses on case law, legal procedures, state laws, federal laws, etc. Thus opening doors to careers in prosecution, defense, and legal advocacy.
Computer Forensics
Computer Forensics can be considered another branch of cybersecurity-related fields in criminal justice. However, it mainly focuses on recovering digital evidence, data recovery, analysis techniques, and legal considerations. Usual careers include cybersecurity and digital investigation.
Forensic Science
Forensic Science focuses on scientific methods that allow investigators to solve crimes. This includes evidence collection, analysis techniques, and crime scene investigation. Thus, this enables a career in crime labs, law enforcement, and investigation.
Forensic Accounting
Forensic Accounting entails a lot of accounting principles combined with investigative techniques. The experts in this field investigate, analyze, research and recognize criminal behavior in financial settings. They learn financial fraud detection, accounting misconduct, analysis of financial records, and prepare expert testimonies for cases.
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Anthropology focuses on anthropological principles and helps legal investigators determine the time, cause, and other matters surrounding death. It includes studying human remains, skeletal analysis, and other identification techniques.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology specialization focuses on psychology and law, combining the two to help legal procedures. The basics of this degree include criminal behavior, mental health issues, and legal assistance via psychological laws. Thus, careers include offender rehab and victim advocacy.
Forensic Nursing
Forensic Nursing combines healthcare aspects with legal systems. It ensures thorough and proper care to victims of violence, but it also includes studying evidence collection and law enforcement collaboration. So, careers in survivor trauma recovery and criminal investigation assistance are common.
Homeland Security
Homeland Security specialization in criminal justice includes national protection from threats and disasters. The learning phases focus on emergency management, intelligence analysis, and national security policies. So, it opens doors to careers in Homeland Security or other government agencies.
Law and Legal Studies
Law and Legal Studies focuses on examining legal principles, justice systems, and practices. You study law, legal research, ethics, and prosecution elements. So, a career in law, policy-making and advocacy is possible. However, you can also pursue careers in legal investigation with this specialization.
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement, as the title suggests, emphasizes policing principles and standard practices of law. You will learn about crime prevention, various investigative techniques, research methods, and community relations. So, you’ll be able to chase careers in police and state or federal law enforcement.
Legal Nursing
Legal Nursing is slightly different from Forensic Nursing. It focuses on nursing education with a focus on medical evidence, healthcare issues, and assistance to criminal investigation via medical procedures. This ensures a career in legal consulting or healthcare litigation.
National Security
The National Security specialization focuses on learning threats regarding national safety and prevention techniques. Students learn intelligence operations, counterterrorism strategies, and emergency preparedness. Careers include law enforcement, government agencies, and security analysis.
Police Science
Police Science specialization focuses on studying the scientific aspects of policing. These include crime scene investigation, criminal behavior analysis, and law enforcement techniques. Therefore, careers as crime scene investigators or police officers are the usual paths.
Paralegal
Paralegal specialization provides training in legal research, document preparation, and case management. The graduate learns the basics of legal settings, including case building. They provide assistance to attorneys, law firms, and corporate legal departments.
Private Security
Private Security specialization in criminal justice emphasizes protecting assets and individuals via private means, i.e., outside of public/government law enforcement. You learn the basics of risk assessment, surveillance techniques, and security management. Thus, a career as a private investigator or corporate security official is entirely possible.
Security
The Security specialization in criminal justice concentrates on securing people and property. Thus, you learn safeguarding techniques, including risk/threat assessment and management. You also learn emergency response strategies, which ensures a career in vital security roles.
Security Management
The Security Management concentration emphasizes the necessity of developing security programs. You will learn the basics of managing security, crisis management, risk analysis, and creating organizational security policies. Thus opening doors to various positions in government or private security sectors.
Sociology
Sociology focuses on learning the behaviors and institutions of society. You understand the social context, impact on communities and social services. Therefore, you’ll be able to go after careers in social services, research, and community advocacy.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences focus on human conduct within a societal context. Therefore, you’ll learn about psychological and sociological factors that influence criminal behavior. Thus preparing policies and strategies for crime prevention and rehab.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation specialization in criminal justice focuses on strategies to reintegrate criminals back into society. You will learn counseling techniques, as well as restorative justice principles. Thus, you’ll pursue careers in correctional facilities and community rehabilitation centers.
Fish and Wildlife Science
Fish and Wildlife Science focuses on conservation laws and management. Students not only study environmental protection but also practice wildlife regulations. Thus, jobs like game warden and careers in conservation are pretty common.
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Delinquency specialization focuses on the causes of crime and its prevention in youth. You will learn the basics of intervention strategies, legal frameworks, and other factors affecting juveniles. So, jobs in juvenile justice systems, correctional facilities, and youth services will be expected.
Victim Advocacy
Victim Advocacy focuses on supporting crime victims through legal procedures. You learn basics about victim rights, support services, and crisis intervention. Roles after this graduation include victim advocacy, rehab programs, and social services.
How to Choose a Major in Criminal Justice?
It’s essential to consider a few important things before choosing a criminal justice major. Don’t forget that each criminal justice degree’s requirements are different from one another. So, you’ll have to weigh that as well as the cost, financial aid, career aspirations, etc.
Now, let’s give you a checklist to ensure you find the right program. Here are six main things you should consider:
1: Identify Interests
We’ve shown you a variety of degree options in criminal justice. Which one piques your interest the most? Which option do you think speaks the most to you? If there’s more than one, weigh them against one another and then decide.
2: Career Aspirations
How do you see yourself in criminal justice roles? Do you wish to be a police officer? An FBI agent? Or someone who helps crime-affected people recover? Consider the things you’d like to do for 8-10 hours every day for the rest of your life, and then choose an option.
3: Curriculum Requirements
This one depends more on the degree specialization and university. However, you need to pursue a degree with courses that interest you the most.
4: Degree Type
Are you already a bachelor’s degree holder? Then, you might be looking at a master’s degree in criminology. Or are you someone who cannot afford a bachelor’s or master’s currently? Then, you might aim for an associate. So, consider your experience and affordability.
5: Employment Potential
It’s a good idea to look up job titles and their outlook on Google/BLS before you pursue a field. It’ll help you find out how many chances or opportunities a career in that field will afford you.
6: Internships and Experience
Consider whether the degree you’re pursuing will offer internships or other practical experience opportunities.
It’s important to consider these factors when looking for the right criminal justice degree for you. However, you should focus more on career aspirations, degree type, and curriculum, rather than how many internships the university offers. Besides, researching hands-on experience from alumni is also helpful.
Student Experience with a Criminal Justice Degree
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Wrapping up
A sense of justice, a curious nature, and perseverance, and those looking for hands-on education will find a criminal justice degree worth pursuing. Even though some majors will be difficult to achieve, and take a long time to graduate, it is satisfying to enter a workforce that can make a difference to society. If you can relate to these aspects then getting a criminal justice degree should be your first choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is criminal justice a hard major?
Yes, it can be a challenging major to complete. Many students who go through graduation say that it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. It requires you to grasp multiple complex concepts, including legal, critical, and technical aspects.
You are also expected to complete research projects, and case studies, and apply knowledge to practical uses. This includes studying and tending to existing or previously concluded cases. Thus, it can be a challenging major, but it can be done with the proper will and motivation.
I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, now what?
It depends on the specialization that you pursued from the criminal justice degree options. However, you can consider various roles in law enforcement, such as police officer, probation officer, or correctional treatment specialist.
Besides, depending on your specialization, you can also pursue jobs like intelligence analyst or forensic psychologist. If the local or state justice system isn’t something you’re too keen on, you can also explore the private security sector.
What can you do with a criminal justice degree besides being a cop?
There are a ton of career opportunities in the criminal justice system besides being a cop. You can become a crime scene investigator or a forensic specialist if you have the right degree. Some other jobs you can explore with a criminal justice degree include:
- Paralegal or Legal Assistant
- Probation or Parole Officer
- Crime Analyst
- Private Investigator
- Victim Advocate
- Federal Agent
- Forensic Specialist
There are many more job titles, but this should give you an idea about the possibilities of jobs you can pursue.
What major is best for criminal justice?
It boils down to your interest and ambition regarding this field. You can pursue the Homeland/National Security specialization if you’re looking to work for federal agencies. You can also go for cyber security or computer forensics if you wish to work with computers while serving the justice system.
Some of the top majors considered by students in criminal justice include:
Here are the top 10 best criminal justice majors:
- Criminology
- Forensic Science
- Cybersecurity
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Homeland Security
- Forensic Psychology
- Law Enforcement
- Sociology
- Legal Studies
- Victimology
How long does a criminal justice degree take?
A criminal justice degree is around 120-134 credit hours, which roughly takes around four years to complete. Associate degrees in this field take two years, while a master’s program will depend on the specialization and expertise level required.