The US government employs thousands of people in various federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, TSA, DHS, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and many more. How do you think the government chooses those specific individuals to work in these agencies? Well, by assessing their physical fitness, age limit, but more importantly, their educational qualifications.

The Criminal Administration degree can provide a strong foundation for those who wish to work in federal agencies, as this degree combines law enforcement theory, legal processes, leadership skills, and public policy knowledge, which are all necessary for working in high-level administrative positions in criminal justice agencies. 

So if you are wondering, “I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration now what?” then be sure to read this article where we explain in detail the federal careers you can pursue, the specific roles it aligns with, and the skills and advantages that graduates bring to the table.

What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Administration Degree Besides Being a Cop?

Many people think that getting a degree in criminal justice administration only qualifies them for a job in the police department, and this is simply not true at all. This degree opens the opportunity to a wide range of careers, not just the police. The valuable knowledge you get in this field related to law, leadership training, and administrative skills qualifies you for several key roles in the criminal justice departments, such as the following:

• Correctional System Careers

As a graduate of criminal justice administration school, you can work in the corrections department as a Probation Officer, Parole Officer, or Correctional Treatment Specialist. These professionals help rehabilitate offenders, monitor their progress, ensure they meet the conditions of their release, and, more importantly, look after them to see that they don’t cause any more trouble.    

• Homeland Security and Emergency Management 

The Homeland Security Department (DHS) was established in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and its purpose is to protect American soil and its citizens from terrorism and natural disasters. By working in the DHS, you can make policies related to how to deal with emergencies related to terrorist attacks, and natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, as well as look after the border to control illegal immigration. 

• Court System Roles

Some government jobs require individuals with a criminal justice degree to work in the court system, like Court Administrator, Victim Advocate, or Court Clerk. These roles involve coordinating legal proceedings, supporting victims of crime, and ensuring that justice is served to victims, more importantly, ensuring that an innocent person does not get charged.

• Intelligence and Security Careers

With the growing importance of cybersecurity and intelligence gathering, federal agencies, private firms, and think tanks hire Security Analysts, Intelligence Researchers, and Policy Analysts. A strong understanding of criminal behavior and justice systems is critical for these analytical roles, which you can get by getting a criminal justice and administration degree. 

Criminal Justice Administration Degree Prepares You for Federal Jobs

A number of federal agencies look for candidates who have a combination of legal knowledge, operational skills, knowledge of public policy, and ability to make ethical decisions. CJA degrees offer exactly that combination. These are some of the criminal justice administration degree jobs you can pursue at federal level. 

• US Marshal

The US Marshals are the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, responsible for capturing fugitives, transferring high-profile prisoners, providing court security, and performing crucial operations. 

An individual in this position must have a strong commitment to justice and the ability to work in high-risk environments. It is therefore essential that you are capable of performing under stress, dealing with a variety of people, and solving problems effectively.

• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent

A DEA Agent investigates illegal drug trafficking and arrests those involved in it. Each agent is assigned to a home office located in a different region of the country. In some cases, they may conduct surveillance, conduct raids, or participate in lengthy investigations, which may require them to travel and keep irregular hours.

There are several characteristics required by the DEA in order to qualify for the position, including good communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.

• CIA Officer

An Operations Staff Officer serves as a liaison between CIA headquarters and the field offices of operations. Their role is to review clandestine CIA operations and seek solutions to problems in order to ensure the success of these operations. The majority of their time will be spent in Washington, DC, with some opportunities to travel abroad. There are opportunities for extended overseas postings, but they are competitive. A five-year contract is required for this position.

Flexibility and adaptability are required, as well as the ability to work in a team or independently. Communication skills that are strong on all fronts, including verbal, written, and interpersonal.

• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent

FBI agents are responsible for protecting the national security interests of the United States. A number of activities may be involved, including surveillance, the gathering of evidence, the analysis of data, and the arrest of suspects. The FBI maintains offices in many regions of the United States as well as abroad, where agents are assigned to perform their duties. The minimum number of hours a special agent must work each week is 50. As part of their first assignment, they will be relocated and have the opportunity to travel abroad.

This role requires a high level of observation, as well as advanced critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

• Naval Crime Investigation Service (NCIS) Special Agent

Navy and Marine Corps special agents are responsible for investigating felony crimes committed within their respective organizations. Depending on the assignment, military personnel may travel around the world or be stationed ashore or aboard a ship. Although military training can be an advantage, special agents are not required to be military personnel.

Performing this role requires a comprehensive understanding of criminal investigations and scenarios knowledge, resourcefulness, and adaptability.

• Language Specialist or Linguist

A number of experts in a variety of high-demand languages are employed by the FBI and CIA, who are capable of interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects based on their knowledge of those languages. There is a good chance you will be assigned to a field office at home or abroad and expect to work long and irregular hours. 

A career with the FBI will be filled with both temporary and long-term assignments. If you are interested in working for the CIA, you will be required to relocate to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. You may also be given the opportunity to work abroad.

You should possess excellent written and verbal command of any language (the CIA indicates that it is seeking native-like proficiency), and you should be knowledgeable about other cultures.

• Intelligence Analyst

An intelligence analyst reviews and identifies threats based on information and intelligence collected from various parts of the world. As part of their duties, they prepare briefings and reports for senior FBI agents and law enforcement officials. Depending on your career path, you may be assigned to Washington DC or one of the 56 field offices throughout the country.

It is also desirable that you possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.

• Forensic Accountant

A forensic accountant is responsible for investigating the financial aspects of crimes for the FBI. The Financial Crimes Unit contributes to the overall intelligence reporting process by investigating financial crimes associated with terrorist and criminal activity. All field offices across the country have these positions. A forensic accounting support team based in Washington D.C. responds to high-profile, data-intensive cases.

The candidate should be able to find and track funding sources, assemble findings, and prepare meaningful reports. If you plan on testifying in court or being an expert witness, you should have the capability and wherewithal to do so.

• Electronic Surveillance Specialist

Specialists in surveillance collect information and intelligence in order to analyze it. Their responsibilities include planning and organizing different types of surveillance operations as well as managing the personnel who will be assigned to these operations. In many cases, they conduct their work in the field, so they are often required to travel extensively, and their work schedules are often irregular.

A person should possess extraordinary patience, possess the ability to blend in, and be experienced in the use of photography and other electronic equipment.

• Federal Air Marshal

A federal air marshal plays a crucial role in protecting commercial airlines from terrorist activities and preventing crimes against infrastructure in the transportation industry. Their duties include observing, analyzing risks, and making arrests when necessary. An air marshal is assigned to temporary or permanent assignments, and his or her work schedule is highly irregular. In the course of their duties, they travel constantly. Overnight stays in dangerous places or health-risk areas are routinely part of travel.

Federal air marshals are required to be proficient with firearms and operate in highly stressful situations without much backup.

 

Criminal Justice Administration Degrees, Careers, and Salaries

The criminal justice administration careers are found in law enforcement, corrections, and court systems. Graduates can pursue roles such as probation officers, forensic science technicians, criminal investigators or even as a US Marshal, FBI agents, and others in the federal agencies that have been discussed above. 

 

Category	Details
Degree Overview	A Criminal Justice Administration (CJA) degree offers knowledge of law enforcement, legal studies, public policy, and leadership training. It prepares students for administrative, operational, and leadership roles in the justice system.
Criminal Justice Administration Degree Jobs	Police Officer (Local/Federal) FBI Special Agent DEA Agent U.S. Marshal Homeland Security Officer Correctional Treatment Specialist (Federal Bureau of Prisons) Intelligence Analyst (FBI, CIA, DHS) Probation Officer Court Administrator Forensic Science Technician
Median Salaries (BLS 2024 Data)	Police and Detectives: $77,270/year Probation Officers: $64,520/year Forensic Science Technicians: $67,440/year DEA Agent: $66,000–$122,000/year  U.S. Marshal: $55,000–$80,000/year  Homeland Security Officer: ~$60,000–$110,000/year (depending on role)
Job Outlook (2023–2033)	Forensic Science Technicians: +14% growth (much faster than average) Police and Detectives: +3% growth Probation Officers: Stable demand
Skills Gained	Legal and procedural knowledge Crisis and emergency management Ethical decision-making Leadership and team supervision Analytical and investigative skills

Conclusion 

Pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice Administration is more than just an academic choice; it’s a pathway to impactful public service. From investigating cybercrime to overseeing correctional programs, there are plenty of administration of justice degrees and careers you can pursue to safeguard the nation from internal and external threats. 

The federal government jobs requiring a criminal justice degree offer a variety of roles where your understanding of the law, leadership, and ethical conduct will be critical. Whether you’re helping shape national policies or managing law enforcement teams, your degree prepares you to lead with competence, integrity, and a sense of mission.