Not too many years ago, the academic fields involving justice and security were confined to degrees in criminal justice or vocational programs for correctional officers. Today, more and more police departments are looking for associates’ or bachelors’ degrees from their recruits; usually in the criminal justice field. There is also an entirely new area of justice andsecurity specialization that has grown around the development of the Homeland Security program.
Justice and security studies may also include the paralegal profession or, in a highly specialized field, the role of medical legal consultant – usually an area where experienced nurses have found a niche. There are also opportunities in justice and security for forensic psychologists and for individuals who work as probation and parole officers. Often these people will have criminal justice, counseling or social science degrees.
Degrees in Justice and Security Professions:
Associates in Paralegal Studies
Associates in Criminal Justice
Associates in Homeland Security
Bachelors in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement
Bachelors in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology
Bachelors in Homeland Security
Salaries in the Justice and Security Professions: (Data from 2004)
Police and sheriff’s patrol officer’s median earnings: $45,210
Detectives and criminal investigators median earnings: $53,990
