Individuals who are interested in making an impact in society by pursuing a role in criminal justice have various types of criminal justice degrees to consider, as well as various career options to choose from. 

Criminal Justice at a Glance 

All professionals who work within the criminal justice system strive to keep communities safe and uphold the law. The complex criminal justice system can be divided into three distinct branches: 

• Law enforcement 

• The court system 

• Corrections 

Professionals in each of these three branches work together to create a cohesive system that ultimately protects communities, deters criminal activity, and ensures citizens’ rights are protected. A wide range of types of jobs exist across the three branches, ranging from police officer and victim advocate to emergency coordinator and security director.  

Individuals considering pursuing a criminal justice career should understand the educational and experience benchmarks associated with their desired role, including whether a degree is required for the role. 

What Are the Types of Criminal Justice Degrees? 

Outside of law degrees, which are pursued by those interested in working within the court system as lawyers and judges, there are two main types of criminal justice degrees individuals can pursue: a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice. Each of these degrees can prepare people for specific stages of their criminal justice career and for a specific area of criminal justice.  

Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice 

The program for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is designed to help individuals build a foundation of knowledge and skills that can support them in their career as it evolves.  

The curriculum commonly focuses on the intricacies of crime and the criminal process, allowing individuals to learn about how crimes occur and how the criminal justice system works. It also helps people cultivate core competencies considered essential in all criminal justice roles, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 

A bachelor’s in criminal justice program curriculum generally covers the following topics: 

• Principles of law enforcement 

• Criminal law 

• Juvenile justice 

• Planning and research in criminal justice 

• Criminology 

• Correctional institutions 

• Criminal investigations 

• Crisis management 

A bachelor’s in criminal justice program can be structured as a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree program. These programs often feature different tracks that allow individuals to focus on the area that aligns with their interests. For example: 

• Law enforcement track. A bachelor’s degree law enforcement track concentrates on subjects and topics that provide an individual with the credentials needed to become a law enforcement officer. Individuals who have completed police academy training may gain credits toward their degree for that training in this type of program. 

• Academic track. A bachelor’s degree academic track can prepare individuals to pursue any of a number of key roles throughout the criminal justice system, including in the court system and in correctional facilities. 

Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice: Salary and Job Outlook  

Earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice can help individuals pursue several well-paying, in-demand jobs. An individual’s actual salary depends on several factors, such as their years of experience and job location.  

Following are some of the criminal justice roles that may be pursued with a bachelor’s in criminal justice, along with their 2024 median annual salaries per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): 

• Correctional officer: $57,970 

• Probation officer: $64,520 

• Police officer: $76,290 

The BLS projects four percent employment growth for police officers and detectives between 2023 and 2033, about the same as the average growth projected for all occupations. 

Master’s in Criminal Justice 

Earning a master’s in criminal justice degree can prepare individuals to pursue advanced level roles in criminal justice. These roles typically require prior training cultivated through entry-level jobs or secured with a bachelor’s in criminal justice degree.  

The degree’s curriculum can help individuals refine their existing competencies as they grow their leadership and administrative skills. These skills may be useful in helping to reduce the ongoing skills gap among criminal justice professionals. 

Some of the topics commonly covered in a master’s of criminal justice program are: 

• Administration of justice 

• Theories of crime 

• Applied analytics 

• Social inequality 

• Restorative justice 

• Contemporary juvenile justice 

• Civil law and liability 

• Criminal justice leadership and practice 

A master’s in criminal justice program can be structured as a Master of Science or a Master of Arts degree program. Because of the broad scope of the topics covered within the master’s program, graduates can enter the job market with a holistic understanding of the criminal justice system.  

Master’s in Criminal Justice: Salary and Job Outlook  

As is true of other types of criminal justice degrees, a master’s degree in criminal justice can lead to a number of well-paying roles in professions that are always in need of highly skilled individuals.  

Following are some roles that may be pursued with a master’s degree in criminal justice, along with their 2024 median annual salaries per the BLS: 

• Emergency management director: $86,130 

• Detective or criminal investigator: $93,580 

• First-line supervisor of police officers and detectives: $105,980 

Employment of emergency management directors and police supervisors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, per the BLS. 

Benefits of Earning a Criminal Justice Degree 

There are several benefits of a criminal justice degree that make pursuing one worthwhile for many people. Earning a degree can help individuals pursue criminal justice roles beyond entry-level roles, such as moving from a police officer position to a sergeant or lieutenant position.  

A degree also can help people hone the skills that can be helpful in a successful criminal justice career, such as problem-solving, interpersonal communication and leadership skills. Ultimately, a degree can help individuals land a professional position that enables them to make a positive impact in society by serving and protecting the members of their community. 

Make an Impact on Society 

There is one unifying theme that binds the different types of criminal justice degrees. Each degree aims to prepare individuals to help maintain safety and uphold justice within society. This underlying goal can make a career in criminal justice a rewarding one, regardless of the specific career path a person decides to pursue. 

Enrolling in either of SEMO Online’s criminal justice degree programs, its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program or its Master of Science in Criminal Justice program, can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your career, at a pace that’s convenient for you. Each degree program combines academic training and hands-on experience that can empower you to transform your knowledge into action within a controlled environment.  

Learn how we can help you prepare for a meaningful criminal justice career.