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Criminal justice is an exciting field that has many possibilities with many levels of employment. Whether you prefer a desk job or the adrenaline rush of S.W.A.T., the amount of money you can earn is contingent on your college degree as well as your level of experience.
Here are the average criminal justice salaries you can earn with your college degree.
Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice
With a median income of $47,000, an associate’s degree is the preferred option for individuals who want a short-term degree program. Since most law enforcement agencies require their employees to have a college degree, an associate’s degree in criminal justice is an excellent option for online students.
Full-time students can earn an associate’s degree in about two years. An associate’s degree is often required to become a police officer. With the convenience of online coursework, you can pursue a criminal justice degree and be on your way to a new degree in no time.
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
If you’d like a long-term career in criminal justice and have aspirations of becoming a sheriff, secret service agent, or work in a supervisory position, you will want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justices.
Individuals with bachelor’s degree can expect a median income of about $70,000. The average time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree is about four to five years; however, if you’ve already earned an associate’s degree in this discipline you can complete a bachelor’s degree in two to three years.
Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Once you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree, you may want to take graduate courses toward a master’s degree in criminal justice. With a master’s degree, you can expect to earn up to $100,000. You can specialize in corrections, management, or administration of justice and security, just to name a few.
Graduates of master’s programs can qualify for positions as FBI agents, police chiefs, or community college instructors.
Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
If you’d like to pursue the highest level of education in criminal justice, you may pursue a Ph.D. online.
Individuals who pursue doctorates in criminal justice may be involved in the development of public policy, research, or work as a consultant. They may also qualify for university-level teaching/administrative positions. Salaries for individuals with doctoral degrees vary greatly, depending on experience and the position, with higher-level positions exceeding $100,000.
Other Requirements for a Criminal Justice Career
Individuals who work within the field of criminal justice must be able to work under stressful conditions and be able to make sound decisions. Additionally, law enforcement agencies require that their employees have clean background checks. Finally, because of the rigors of particular positions, it’s important to remain physically fit.
Criminal justice offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals who want to help others. Before you decide on an online degree program, you’ll want to conduct some research to determine what level of education you’ll need to work in your desired field. Criminal justice salaries vary, so do your homework to determine if your career choice is a sound one for your financial goals.
