Let’s check out some of the most popular career options, according to the website AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com.

Most Popular Local Law Enforcement Careers

Whether you prefer to work inside or outside, you can find a career that suits your preferences at the local level working in positions with the park police, county police, juvenile justice system, and Sheriff’s Department. These jobs can range from mounted park police that keep order in a city park to residential treatment workers that apply passive restraint to residents in crisis situations.

Most Popular State Law Enforcement Careers

The higher the degree you pursue, the more options that open for you. For instance, at the state level you may seek employment in state crime labs, narcotics bureaus, liquor control boards, or for the State Police, just to name a few. Many individuals choose to work in the court system as a paralegal or bailiff or may prefer to “get their hands dirty” in crime labs investigating crime scene evidence.

Most Popular Federal Law Enforcement Careers

Are you ready to solve crimes with the “big dogs?” Then you may prefer a career at the federal level. Here are some options you may consider, according to All Criminal Justice Schools:

• Department of Defense

• Department of Homeland Security

• Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Department of Transportation

• Federal Trade Commission

• Veterans Affairs

• Customs Agency

• Immigration and Naturalization Service

• Food and Drug Administration

• Office of the Inspector General

For many jobs at this level, you may be required to pass an extensive background check and security clearance. For individuals that earn advanced degrees, careers in supervision and management are lucrative options at the federal level. You might consider earning an advanced online criminal justice degree as you climb the career ladder to expand your opportunities as you gain experience.

Most Popular Private Sector Law Enforcement Careers

Jobs in the private sector can vary from work as a security officer to work in a private detective agency or even as a celebrity body guard. Insurance companies also employ criminal justice graduates to investigate cases of suspected fraud.

As you plan your career in criminal justice, consider the level of education you will need to pursue your goals. An Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice will give you a foot in the door while a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice will qualify you for more specialized jobs. Of course, if you’re serious about climbing the ladder of success, a graduate degree will lead you into a lucrative career that will open many doors for you from mid-career through retirement.

For a more comprehensive and personal description of criminal justice jobs, consider visiting an online degree forum or a forum dedicated specifically to careers in criminal justice, such as Criminal Justice Forum. Here, you can learn everything from criminal justice news to employment opportunities from people who work in the industry.

Diploma mills, also known as degree mills, offer individuals the opportunity to “earn” a degree by validating their work experience. Unfortunately, many individuals are led to believe that they can get a bachelors degree in criminal justice based solely on their life experiences, such as working in a career in law enforcement. Not true.

To Earn an Online Criminal Justice Degree, You’ll Have to Work for It.

Degree mills earn their money by preying on the desperation of individuals. For example, DiplomaXpress is upfront about the fact that they sell fake degrees. (After all, they can’t control what you do with it after the sale, now can they?) They are currently holding a “graduation sale” with markdowns of 20%-28% off their products.

Want a fake diploma? They’ll sell you a discounted one for only $119. How about a fake transcript package for any level of degree you want, up to and including a Ph.D.? You can get three copies for only $149. For a fake diploma and transcript package, you’ll pay a cool $227. You can even order multiple degree packages if you’re an overachiever (or, at least, want to look like one). They’ll even verify your degree for another $99.99. Quite a bargain, right? Wrong.

Just this year, Mark Isom, a police chief from Fruitland Park, Florida admitted that his Youngsfield University degrees – both bachelor’s and master’s degrees – could be fake. Could be? Youngsfield University is not accredited; in fact, it is a known degree mill. The outrage resulted from the fact that he was paid $70,000 a year, a salary made possible due to his advanced “college education.”

Isom, a 20-year veteran of the police force, has agreed to pay back the extra money he earned. Isom’s case is not an isolated one. The temptation to earn a fake criminal justice degree has tempted others to buy credentials, many of which have been caught and suspended – or fired – from their jobs.

Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online From an Accredited College.

If you want to get an online degree in criminal justice, there are legitimate ways to do so. First, check out your local community college or university to see if they offer criminal justice degrees online. Online degree programs are an integral part of country’s college system these days, bringing in hundreds of thousands of extra dollars to institutions of higher learning.

If you’re ready to pursue a career in criminal justice – one that promises to serve, to protect, and to uphold the law – make sure that you walk your talk by avoiding degree mills – and scandal – and earning a college degree in criminal justice from an accredited institution of higher learning.

Here are three (categories of) criminal justice online degree programs, in no particular order, that were reviewed by the GetEducated experts. You can read more about these programs on the GetEducated.com website:

Too Expensive: Regis University College for Professional Studies

Maybe we should begin with the bad news first: When it comes to earning an affordable criminal justice degree online, you may want to steer clear of Regis University, according to the GetEducated reviewers. Despite the positive PR video on the website, this college gets low marks not because of the quality of education (not rated), but, instead, because of the high cost of education.

Regis offers a Bachelor’s degree in the following criminal justice specialties: Criminal Justice and Law& Legal Studies: Criminal Justice. At a cost of $460 per credit hour, you’ll dig deep holes in your pockets by graduation, laying out a total of approximately $58,888 for tuition alone. Because of the costs, GetEducated experts give Regis University a grade of D+.

Average Affordability: Kaplan University

Kaplan University, although a more affordable option than Regis U., earns a grade of C+ for the cost of its Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program. This 100% online, for-profit college, charges a $400 technology fee per term per student on top of tuition. Although GetEducated has no published review on this college, other than affordability, it is still a bit too costly to get high marks from the GetEducated experts. Students will pay a total of $19,650 in tuition by the time they graduate.

Best Buys in Criminal Justice Online Degree Programs

We couldn’t choose just one. Instead, we wanted to give you a sampling of some of the nation’s best buys in online criminal justice degrees, according to the GetEducated.com experts. Here are the top five best buys in online criminal justice education, the degrees they confer, and their overall tuition costs:

• Fort Hays State University, Master of Liberal Studies/Criminal Justice (KS) – $6,975
• New Mexico State University – Main Campus, Master of Science Criminal Justice (NM) – $9,692
• American Public University, Master of Arts Criminal Justice (WV) – $9,900
• Troy University eCampus (AL) – $10,950
• University of Central Missouri (MO) – $10,952

In addition to these top five contenders for “Best Buy” in online criminal justice education, GetEducated.com also adds ten more colleges to this list on their website. For more information about best buys in online criminal justice degree programs, check out the GetEducated.com website.

Be a Bargain Shopper for Online Degree Programs

Before you hit the ground running with your criminal justice degree, first and foremost, be a bargain shopper. Well-known colleges may not necessarily provide the best bang for your buck; they’re just dumping more money into marketing and brand recognition. Take a few weeks – or months – to compare online colleges. Look for total cost of attendance, accreditation status, and overall student satisfaction.

After all, why in the world would you spend the same amount of money for a college education as you would for a house when you could pay the cost-equivalent of a reasonably-priced automobile instead? Get educated before you begin your college career, so you won’t have any regrets about how much you paid for your college degree later.

This degree has a total of 181 required credit hours, which means it could take up to 4.5 years to complete it. Students are required to take 45 credit hours in general education coursework, 41 credit hours in core courses, 30 credit hours in concentration courses, 60 credit hours in elective courses, and a 5-credit hour capstone course to graduate. Students may transfer up to 135 credits.

Students will take criminal justice courses such as criminal law, corrections, criminology and social control, just to name a few. Additionally, students take coursework in Internet Computing, Information Security and Privacy, and Computer Forensics. The combination of investigative work along with computer knowledge is an ideal fit for students who are ready to master the information technology infrastructure and utilize it for preventing or solving crimes.

According to the Walden University website, students will learn how to do the following:

-   “Understand the technology infrastructure that underlies information systems.

-   Gain access to key Internet services and applications.

-   Learn to prevent information security network attacks.

In addition, you will

-   Explore basic approaches to computer forensics.

-   Analyze information systems for evidence of illegal or inappropriate activities.

-   Consider the legal, ethical, and policy implications of forensic techniques.”

Jobs in Criminal Justice and Computer Information Systems and Security

Upon graduation, individuals can expect to combine their knowledge of criminal justice with computer science in an effort to collect and analyze data for legal purposes. This information may be used as evidence in a court of law. For instance, individuals who work in this field may collect evidence from any of the following systems:

-   Computer systems

-   Networks

-   Wireless communications

-   Storage devices

Furthermore, graduates in this field may play an integral part in saving organizations money by strengthening the security of a company’s network. In essence, work in computer forensics involves identifying, collecting, preserving, and analyzing data.

According to computerforensicsworld.com, computer forensics is commonly used in these situations:

-   “Unauthorized disclosure of corporate data (by accident or design)

-   Employee Internet abuse

-   Damage assessment and analysis

-   Industrial espionage

-   Criminal fraud and deception cases

-   More general criminal cases (many criminals simply do store information of various types on computers)”

Get Started with Walden University

Courses are offered for 12-week quarters as well as 16-week semesters. Semester courses may offer consecutive 8-week courses or consecutive 6-week courses for those offered in the quarter system.

If you’re ready to start your career in Criminal Justice and Computer Information Systems and Security, it’s easy to get started. Check out the Walden University website or call 1-866-492-5336. International students may also contact the college but must call from the list of Contact Numbers reserved for International students. The flexibility that distance learning offers students at Walden will enable you to get one step closer to an exciting career in criminal justice.

As online degree programs become a more popular route of higher education for adult students, colleges are striving to make the material more compelling and less like correspondence courses in the past. CJI takes online learning to the next level for the criminal justice student.

CJI – an Important Component to Online Criminal Justice Coursework

CJI learning is beneficial to students because of its interactive interface. For instance, a dynamic movie is part of the course and is part of the comprehensive, multi-media experience for the student.

A product of Pearson Higher Education, Criminal Justice Interactive allows students to study – chapter by chapter – in an online learning platform. For instance, students are able to navigate through 14 chapters by clicking here for a free demo. Each chapter covers the following subjects:

Chapter 1 – The Criminal Justice System
Chapter 2 – Defining and Measuring Crime
Chapter 3 – Explaining Criminal Behavior
Chapter 4 – Criminal Law
Chapter 5 – The Police: History, Structure & Functions
Chapter 6 – The Police and the Constitution
Chapter 7 – The Police: Issues and Challenges
Chapter 8 – The Courts: History, Structure, and Key Players
Chapter 9 – Pre-trial Activities and the Criminal Trial
Chapter 10 – Sentencing
Chapter 11 – Corrections: History and Institutions
Chapter 12 – Corrections in the Community
Chapter 13 – Life Behind Bars
Chapter 14 – The Juvenile Justice System

By clicking on these chapters, students will “experience” their lessons in a unique way. For instance, Chapter 4, which focuses on criminal law, takes the student inside the law office. Students may view Episode 4 of the CJI movie, work through learning modules, discover myths and legends about the criminal justice system, work through a simulation activity, and choose homework and review activities. An interactive glossary is also included.

As more colleges such as Bryant & Stratton College take their online courses to an interactive level, they will be able to engage students, involve students, and teach students real-world skills in a high-quality, interactive learning environment online.

Online College is not a Correspondence Course

Individuals who are unfamiliar with online college may confuse the delivery methods with correspondence courses that were popular in years past. To the contrary, online college instructors work diligently to create a learning environment that moves beyond words on the screen and encourages participation and interaction in each instructional session.

CJI is just one example of how educators across the nation are developing innovative methods for teaching students online. As colleges extend their reach across the nation and across the world, online learning will increasingly become a more learning-rich environment in order to enhance learning outcomes. The good news is that for online criminal justice students, Criminal Justice Interactive offers an entertaining learning platform from which to learn about criminal law.

William Duffy, Upper Iowa University Senior Vice President, made this statement about the college’s “Best Buy” recognition: “We are pleased that GetEducated.com has once again recognized a UIU distance learning program as a ‘best buy’ for students. Our wide variety of flexible delivery options provides educational opportunities for students from around the world. At UIU, our academic programs provide a quality education that is also convenient, flexible, affordable, and created to meet the needs of our adult students.”

All of the 19 programs featured as a “Best Buy” offer a bachelor’s degree for less than $43,000, with an average cost of $42,837.

GetEducated.com’s College Ranking System

GetEducated.com is a virtual review committee that uncovers the gems in online education while simultaneously uncovering the rip-offs. According to the website, degrees in justice studies “[r]ankings are based on a Fall 2009 survey of regionally accredited and regional candidate bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, law and legal studies. Costs were valid at the time of collection (Fall 2009).”

Upper Iowa University’s cost averaged $39,000 for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. For all the ranked colleges, costs ranged from $10,204.80 (lowest) to $42,545.00 (highest).

GetEducated.com is an editorially independent website that ranks colleges based on a “survey of regionally accredited and regional candidate bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, law and legal studies.” Data for this study was conducted during the Fall of 2009. There is no cost to colleges to appear on the website.

The website also exposes online scams, such as degree-earning pets. Colby Nolan, a black cat, earned an MBA from Trinity Southern University of Plano, Texas in 2004. According to the GetEducated.com website, “Colby’s diploma was purchased for $399, plus shipping and handling, in a sting operation undertaken by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.” His degree was awarded based on his career experience in retail management, the fast food industry, and child care.

Get Educated at Upper Iowa University

Individuals who are interested in earning an online criminal justice degree may get more information from their website about their online learning programs. The next term runs from May 10 through July 4. An additional summer term is offered from July 5 through August 29. UIU also offers an Independent Study option that allows students to take up to six months to complete a course.

Interested individuals should visit the Upper Iowa University website for more information, call the university at 563-425-5252, or send an e-mail inquiry to extdegree@uiu.edu .

Educated Candidates will have an Advantage in the Field

As job possibilities open in the future, the more educated applicants for jobs will receive top priority in the hiring process, particularly candidates that are tech ready. Individuals who are interested in pursuing a degree in criminal justice may want to consider following a more technologically advanced plan of study to qualify for the higher-paying jobs.

Students have several options when pursuing a criminal justice degree. For instance, many students choose to get an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice to get educated and get working in two years or less. However, in order to rise in the ranks, it’s a good idea to follow a more advanced degree path.

The good news for many criminal justice majors is that they may pursue a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from start to finish before working in the field or earn a more advanced degree while working full or part time. With the advent of internet degrees from accredited colleges and universities, earning a college degree is now within reach of a wider population of individuals.

Students who want to investigate a wide array of career options may opt to study a sub-specialty that will allow them to expand their options above and beyond a traditional criminal justice degree. Here are a few options that students may consider:

Crime Scene Investigation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 20 percent increase in forensic science technicians through the year 2018, which will necessitate the need for more crime scene investigators. Crime scene technicians are present at crime scenes to collect evidence so that it may be sent to crime labs for analysis. They must be well-versed in using equipment for collecting evidence for scientific analysis and may also take pictures of crime scenes. They must also write reports so that law enforcement officials can use them to solve crimes. Crime Scene Investigator Network provides information about job requirements and job posting.

Forensic Science

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects not only a 20 percent increase through 2018 but also cites that graduates of applied science technology programs will have the best prospects. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, forensic scientists “[c]ollect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.” Salaries vary, depending on whether the individual works at the local, state, or federal level. Salaries also vary by state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites salaries on their website.

Cyber Crime

According to the United States Department of Justice, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section website, a man in Ohio was sentenced to prison for 29 months for selling pirated copies of movies on April 20; “federal law enforcement officials led by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), unveiled a 74-count superseding indictment today alleging a self-described California-based ‘Hacker’”; and a man in Virginia was “[s]entenced to 18 months in prison for theft of DuPont trade secrets.” Cyber crime is flourishing, and the need for educated cyber crime investigators is on the rise. An article published by the San Francisco Chronicle states that “cyber-security job openings across the country went up from 32,000 to 40,000 in the first three months of the year, a 25 percent increase.”

Demand Continues to Grow for Qualified Criminal Justice Job Applicants

College applicants who want to enter a field where the demand will continue to rise should consider a career in criminal justice. With all the career opportunities available, crime fighters will have a have many opportunities and job security for years to follow.

Eligibility Requirements for the NYC Summer Internship Program

Students must be currently enrolled in college to be eligible for an internship. Graduate interns, however, may apply if they have been accepted into a graduate program. All interested individuals must apply directly to the advertising agency for each position posted.

Applicants should review the job specs thoroughly before applying to a particular program. Some internships are paid positions while others are unpaid, volunteer positions. Others offer academic credit only. For more information, direct questions to the contact person in the advertising agency.

Internships for Criminal Justice Majors

The NYC Summer Internship Program offers a variety of opportunities for criminal justice majors. Here is a sampling of a few of the agencies that participate in the program:

• NYC Department for the Aging, Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center
• Department of Correction
• NYC Department of Homeless Services
• Department of Investigation
• Department of Probation
• Department of Youth and Community Development
• The Public Service Corps Department of Citywide Administration Services

For a complete list of participating agencies and available positions, visit the NYC Summer Internship Program website.

Housing for NYC Summer Interns

Summer interns have several housing options available to them. The NYC Summer Internship Program does not provide housing; however, students may be able to secure housing with the following facilities:

Educational Housing Services
31 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Tel: (212) – 977-9099
Toll Free: (800) 297-4694
Website: www.studenthousing.org
E-mail: reservations@studenthousing.org

92nd Street Y de Hirsch Residence
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10128
Tel: (212) – 415-5650
Toll free: (800) 858-4692
Website: www.dehirsch.com
E-mail: dehirsch@92ndsty.org

International House
500 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
Tel: (212) – 316-8436
Website: www.ihouse-nyc.org
E-mail: admissions@ihouse-nyc.org

Additional housing resources are listed on the NYC Summer Internship website.

Apply Now for Top Consideration

Criminal justice majors should apply now for top consideration. Although there are no standard cut-off dates for applications, the summer program kicks off in May. Postings are updated on a continuous basis, so interested individuals should check job announcements weekly.

There is no main processing center for internship applications. Therefore, applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume to the contact person in the advertising agency. Applicants should address all questions to the agency contact listed in the job posting.

Benefits of Criminal Justice Internships

Internships provide a bridge from college to career by providing a learning opportunity that expands beyond the four walls of classroom learning. Students who participate in internships learn valuable on-the-job skills, as well as strengthen their knowledge in their major field of study. Because criminal justice internships provide a real-world lens into the current working environment in a given profession, students get a realistic view of the day-to-day workings of their chosen careers.

Students who participate in internships are also able to network with other individuals who can enhance their career options post graduation. Students who perform well may be hired for a full-time position after they earn their college degrees.

Criminal justice management involves oversight, management, and supervision in a career in law enforcement. The need for well-educated managers has become an emerging trend for new programs in online studies as well as land-based programs. Individuals who are already working in the field of criminal justice may earn an online criminal justice management degree without disrupting their busy work schedules. For students who cannot relocate to attend college, pursuing an online degree from start to finish is also an option.

Several colleges and universities are catering to the changing needs of its students by offering this degree online. Here are just a few criminal justice management degree programs that are available online:

Lander University Offers Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management

Lander University in Greenwood, SC was the first in its state to offer this program in 2006. Lander’s program “is open to candidates who have a two-year degree in criminal justice and are working in law enforcement or have a least two years law enforcement experience.” Individuals who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree may earn their degree online and continue to work full time.

This program is appropriate for anyone working in a supervisory or administrative role in criminal justice, regardless of the job. Whether students aspire to become the national director of a national criminal justice organization or the chief of police in a small town, this degree will give them the skills they need to do the job.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Degree at the University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. This degree prepares students for management positions in “law enforcement, corrections, court administration and social service.”

Students who opt for this degree will study “policing, procedure, communications, law, ethics, diversity, finance, policy and administration.” This four-year degree program is for any student interested in working in an administrative role in the criminal justice system.

Utica College Offers Online Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration

Utica College offers an online M.S. Degree in Criminal Justice Administration – Planning and Leadership. This program is designed specifically to educate leaders in the criminal justice field who have had at least three years of working experience. Courses are delivered in six eight-week semesters, which enables students to graduate with a master’s degree in two years.

Individuals who graduate with a degree in criminal justice management will qualify for a wide variety jobs at the local, state, and national levels, making this degree a good investment for anyone interested in rising among the ranks in law enforcement and public safety.

The Department of Homeland Security offers exciting career opportunities for college graduates. Students who are considering careers in homeland security can benefit from the on-the-job training experience obtained from a variety of internships.

What is the Department of Homeland Security?

The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2001. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established a mission to prevent and reduce terrorist attacks within the United States, as well as minimize the damage from actual terrorist attacks that do occur. In essence, the goal of The Department of Homeland Security is to protect the country from terrorist threats.

According to the Department of Homeland Security website, “This requires the dedication of more than 230,000 employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to emergency response, from cybersecurity analyst to chemical facility inspector.”

Opportunities for College Students in Homeland Security

Students who major in criminal justice may choose to specialize in homeland security. A homeland security degree can lead to an exciting, lifelong career. The Occupational Outlook Quarterly cites that “Homeland security work is available in the air, on land,
and at sea.” Jobs are available in every state, as well as abroad.

Criminal justice students who want to gain experience at the Department of Homeland Security may still apply for the following internships this year

• Office of Policy Internship – This unpaid internship can encompass anything from photocopying or answering phone calls, to engaging in research. Interns in this position must be willing to take any assignment handed to them. These assignments could last from a few hours to a few weeks. Students who want to apply for a fall 2010 internship must submit their applications no later than May 15.

• Federal Law Enforcement Training Center College Intern Program – This 12-week program is open to baccalaureate or graduate students studying criminal justice, criminology, or a related field. Students will receive $49 a day to offset expenses while participating in the Federal law enforcement training environment. Students interested in participating in the fall 2010 internship may submit their applications April 19 through May 7.

• U.S. Secret Service Student Volunteer Internship – This unpaid internship requires students to work at least 12 hours a week for (no less than) one semester and allows students to explore a variety of Secret Service career options. Students interested in applying for the fall 2010 internship must submit their applications no later than April 15. This internship is available to high school students as well as undergraduate college students. For more details about this program, click here.

In addition to internships, there are also a variety of scholarships, fellowships, and training programs available for criminal justice majors. For a complete list of year-round internships and other opportunities, go to this website.