Interested in Becoming a Coast Guard Officer?
The U.S. Coast Guard is a relatively small branch of the military that assists with coastal distress calls, enforces maritime laws and maintains navigational aids. Coast Guard officers can specialize in many areas of work, including: marine safety, aviation, engineering logistics, naval engineering and C4 (command, control, communications and computers).
Degrees for Coast Guard Officers
The U.S. Coast Guard offers commission opportunities to college graduates and military service members. Most of these commissions require at least a bachelor's degree with specific areas of study. For example, Coast Guard aviators may need a degree related to aviation, engineering or technology while Maritime Engineers should obtain a degree from a qualified Maritime Academy or possess a college degree in marine environmental protection.
Preparing for Coast Guard Work
As you prepare for Coast Guard work, gaining experience in any of the following areas can prove beneficial to your career:
- Search and rescue missions
- Waterway dangers
- Maritime law enforcement
- Emergency aid and volunteer work with natural disaster victims
A career as a Coast Guard officer is challenging and exciting, requiring specialized skills and the ability to make life and death decisions. Do you have what it takes to work in the Coast Guard?
Interested in Becoming a Police Officer?
Police officers are government employees tasked with the responsibility of enforcing the law, maintaining order, protecting life and preserving the peace. They have the authority to detain and arrest suspected offenders, which often involves high conflict and danger. Police officers serve the public to encourage a safer community.
Degrees for Police Officers
Though the minimum requirement to become a cop is a high school diploma or equivalent, earning a degree in criminal justice or law enforcement provides a competitive edge in this highly competitive field. Many law enforcement agencies pay higher salaries to police officers with advanced degrees.
Preparing for Police Work
Since cops serve and protect the public, they literally put their lives on the line each time they go to work. The selection process is rigorous, and preparing to work as a police officer requires special training in some of the following areas:
- Confronting dangerous criminals
- Collecting evidence
- Enforcing traffic laws
- Recovering stolen property
- Resolving reported disturbances
ive task. According to some estimates, as many as 100 people apply for every law enforcement job opening. Even so, this is a growing field and career chances for qualified candidates are excellent.
Interested in Becoming a SWAT Team Member?
SWAT, or Special Weapons and Tactics, teams are highly trained paramilitary squads that operate as part of some urban police departments. SWAT team members are trained to diffuse and resolve highly tense, serve arrest warrants under fire, prevent terrorist attacks, subdue armed criminals and successfully apprehend suspects who have locked themselves inside a structure.
Degrees for SWAT Team Members
SWAT team members are selected internally from the ranks of police officers in law enforcement agencies. Degree subjects useful in police officer careers, such as criminal justice and law enforcement, are also advised for anyone who would like to become a SWAT team member.
Preparing for SWAT Team Work
SWAT teams are involved in many high-risk operations, including:
- Physical protection of visiting dignitaries
- Hostage situations
- Barricaded suspects
- Counterterrorist operations
- Serving of warrants on dangerous, armed individuals
SWAT applicants must pass written, oral, physical fitness and psychological tests to ensure the perfect fit for this high-risk, high-stress career. SWAT team members receive training in self-defense, handling explosives, marksmanship, first aid, negotiation and use of special equipment and weapons.
Interested in Becoming a FBI Agent?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for enforcing Federal statutes and issues of national security. FBI special agents investigate cases regarding corruption, terrorism, drug-trafficking and other matters concerning domestic or international organized crime.
Degrees for FBI Agents
Applicants to the FBI must possess a bachelor's degree as the minimum requirement, and though many areas of study apply, criminal justice, law enforcement and information technology are some of the most popular choices. Other requirements include fluency in a foreign language, great physical condition and successfully passing a thorough background check that includes a drug screen.
Preparing for FBI Work
Training to work for the FBI can come in a number of forms depending on the area of focus. The selection process is rigorous, so preparing to work as an FBI agent requires special training in some of the following areas:
- Foreign espionage
- Terrorists attacks
- Public corruption
- Civil rights violations
- Cyber attacks and other high-tech crimes
Agents for the FBI earn approximately $61,000 to $70,000 per year, and with additional experience and education, they can move into executive positions with annual salaries over $90,000 per year.
Interested in Working in Criminal Justice?
Individuals with degrees in criminal justice are in high demand, but enforcing justice in the legal system, keeping the peace and obtaining retribution for victims comes in many forms. Find a wide variety of careers in criminal justice below.
Law Enforcement
- Analyst: Collect facts, evidence and other material related to crime and put them in order to develop a case, explain a problem or describe crime trends.
- Police: Serve the community by enforcing federal, state and local laws while preserving the peace.
- Probation: Evaluate the progress of convicted offenders' efforts at rehabilitation and monitor compliance with the terms of their sentences, reporting their findings to the court.
- Records: Help law enforcement agencies identify, capture and process suspected criminals.
- Sheriff: Uniformed law enforcement officials who works at the county level of state government.
Court
- Bailiff: Tasked with providing general security for the courthouse and its staff, maintaining appropriate courtroom decorum and taking charge of juries when the court is not in session.
- Court Clerk: Responsibilities include maintaining the records of the court, issuing licenses and assisting officers of the court in research.
- Court Reporter: Create verbatim transcripts of courtroom proceedings and other events.
- Paralegal: Work under the direction and authority of attorneys performing work of a legal nature without engaging in actions that are restricted by law solely to attorneys.
- Records: Process, file and distribute court records.
Corrections
- Corrections Officer: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
- Prison Personnel: Manage prison, administrative and custodial staff.
- Records: Review, process and file judgments, sentences and records of inmates.
- Warden: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
Private Sector
- Business Support and Security: Patrol assigned areas of businesses while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Private Investigator: Hired by people to investigate private matters, such as a cheating spouse or missing person.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records for businesses and employers.
Public Safety
- Child Protective Service: Arrange and deliver personal, psychological or social services intended to protect children and families at risk.
- Community Safety: Reduce crime in the community through special training, monitoring and patrolling.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Human Services Worker: Work to help improve the overall quality of life for individuals in group homes, halfway houses, community centers and various programs.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records in the area of public safety.
- Victims Advocate: Actively promote the health and welfare of victims' rights.
Federal Government
- Agent (ATF, CIA, DEA, FBI, ICE): Work in federal law enforcement to safeguard the country and gather intelligence.
- Customs Agent: Enforce immigration and customs laws, safeguard U.S. commercial aviation and protect federal facilities.
- Secret Service: Provide personal protection, guard U.S. financial systems and investigate financial crimes.
- Treasury Agent: Collect taxes from businesses according to laws and determine tax liability.
- U.S. Marshal: Serve warrants issued by Federal courts, seize and dispose of property under court orders and arrest people wanted by the law.
Other Professions:
- Animal Control Officer
- Bailiff
- Border Patrol Agent
- Corrections Officer
- Court Clerk
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
- Customs Agent
- Detective
- Dispatcher
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent (FBI)
- Fingerprint Specialist
- Forensic Scientist
- Game Warden
- Highway Patrolman
- Homeland Security Agent
- Immigrations Officer
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Parole Officer
- Police Officer
- Prison Warden
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Secret Service Agent
- Security Guard
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
- State Trooper
- US Marshal
- Victim's Advocate
Detectives can be promoted in the same way as police officers, including to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief. Whether you're looking to become a private investigator or crime scene investigator, starting a degree program in criminal justice can be a great first step toward advancing your career.
Earn Your Degree Online in Criminal Justice
Accelerate your career with an online degree in criminal justice. Find certificates, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs that emphasize fairness in the apprehension, prosecution, defense and incarceration of those charged with criminal offenses.
Degrees in Criminal Justice
Most criminal justice positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify for employment, but some entry-level positions can be obtained with a certificate or an associate degree. If you're ready to seek justice for citizens and retribution for victims, choose an online degree program in criminal justice from the list below.
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
- Bacehelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science/Administration of Justice and Security
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