Careers in the Criminal Justice System

The Criminal Justice system employs a great many people in various roles. If you are interested in a career in criminal justice, you are choosing a popular field, and that can be rewarding and lucrative.

What are the many roles available in the criminal justice field, and what level of qualifications do you need to pursue your desired career path? We will explain some of the potential routes into a career in criminal justice, so let’s begin.

What Roles are Available in Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice covers a wide selection of potential career paths. It is not just about lawyers, as there is a large supporting cast that makes everything happen. From court ushers and clerks, through mediators and arbitrators, to legal secretaries, and more, there are plenty of opportunities for working in the field.

What level of education is needed for a job in criminal justice? Let’s start with the entry-level jobs that can be an excellent choice for a grounding in the legal system.

A court clerk, for example, can apply with a high school diploma, as can a legal secretary. However, remember that a higher level of education will always be helpful in getting into better jobs.

You may consider the option of studying for an Associate of Science (AS) degree. This two-year course can be studied at a junior college, thus saving money, and that gives a good grounding in subjects relevant to the law. Once completed, you might want to undertake a further two years at university and convert it into a bachelor’s degree.

If you have designs on studying law to become a lawyer, your education must be of the highest standard. You will need a bachelor's degree in law or similar. This is a four-year degree and is only the start.

To become a lawyer, one must earn the Juris Doctor, a necessary qualification that involves further education and hands-on experience. To qualify as a lawyer will take as much as 8 years, possibly more, should you follow the usual path of getting at least a year’s experience in real world practice.

You can choose other careers in criminal law – a paralegal, for example, or a legal assistant can find jobs with an Associate of Science degree, the two-year program mentioned above. Most other jobs in the field above that level require a bachelor's degree as a minimum.

It should be noted that studying for a degree online has become more popular than ever and is a convenient choice if you are already employed in an entry-level criminal justice position and wish to move forward in your career.

Conclusion

The criminal justice system offers many career opportunities for all levels of education. Once you have a foot in the door, you can look at furthering your education by taking an online degree, which will help you gain access to more lucrative opportunities.