As long as there are people in our community, there will be a need for trained criminal justice professionals. While some jobs in the field require just a bachelor’s or associate degree, if you want to advance your career path and open the door to leadership positions, you may want to consider a graduate degree. Whether you choose a master’s or a doctoral degree, there are many career opportunities available when you go back to school to learn more about criminal justice.
Why Get a Criminal Justice Graduate Degree?
Going back to school after starting a career in the criminal justice system may be something you are considering. Yet is a graduate degree necessary in this field? The answer depends on your career path goals.
Some roles within criminal justice require on-the-job training, but others benefit from an advanced degree. Getting a graduate degree will give you a deeper knowledge of criminology and the criminal justice system, while also opening the door to leadership roles within the field. If you want to branch into private detective work or security work, a graduate degree will help your application stand out. Finally, getting a graduate degree gives you a sense of accomplishment and confidence as you head into the field to look for a higher-paying position.
20 Criminal Justice Careers for a Master’s Degree
If you are thinking about a graduate degree in criminal justice, you should also think about your career path. Whether you are going to work in corrections or as a detective, you will find many opportunities opened by your advanced training. Here are 20 to consider:
1. Police Supervisor
While you do not need a graduate degree to work as a police officer, if you want to be a leader in the police force, you might. A master’s in criminal justice opens the door to a management career path in the police force. Your deeper knowledge of criminology and how to assess needs within the community will help, and many of these programs have a few courses focused on leadership as well.
2. Senior Corrections Officer
A corrections officer is responsible for caring for people in prison. The senior corrections officer leads the team within a jurisdiction or a particular prison. While they may supervise prisoners directly from time to time, they are primarily focused on providing support to the officers under their leadership.
3. Warden
A warden is the top correctional officer at a prison or corrections facility. This leadership role is over all staff in a facility, so it is a high-ranking position. Wardens need to know how to de-escalate problems, prevent issues and solve problems on the go.
4. Victim’s Rights Advocate
A victim’s rights advocate focuses less on the criminal and more on the victim. They can provide emotional support while also helping the victim find resources to help facility recovery from the abuse experienced. Victim’s rights advocates may also provide support when the victim or victim’s family heads to court to address the criminal actions.
5. Forensic Technician/Analyst
A forensic technician or forensic analyst works alongside law enforcement to collect, analyze and preserve evidence. They may sweep for fingerprints or DNA samples, they may handle weapons that are evidence or they may spend time in the lab analyzing this evidence. This field can work quite well for law enforcement professionals who are not interested in working directly in the field and who have a strong attention to detail. It also has a strong job growth rate of 11% based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
6. Detective
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a detective is typically in the field investigating crimes. They may monitor suspects, participate in arrests, handle interviews and examine records. Detectives often focus on one particular area of law enforcement, such as homicide or theft.
7. Criminal Investigator
Investigators are responsible for investigating evidence to help solve a crime. They need attention to detail and knowledge of the criminal justice system to be successful. Both are possible with a master’s degree.
8. Criminal Profiler
Criminal profilers use evidence from a crime to create a profile of a suspect. They use the testimony of witnesses and evidence from the crime scene to state what the criminal might look like. A PhD in Criminal Justice can be a good option for someone who wants to be successful as a profiler, but a master’s degree is usually the starting point here. A focus on criminology and criminal psychology is important to work as a profiler.
9. Case Manager
Each crime that a police department investigates is called a case, and a case manager is responsible for handling the many details that go into that case. They need to pay attention to the data of the case, ensure the victims, witnesses and criminals have their rights protected, and ensure proper reporting when criminal activity is found. The case manager also manages the social needs of the people connected with a crime, ensuring they can get the services they are qualified to have. A master’s degree or PhD opens the door to advancement if you are working in case management.
10. FBI Agent
FBI agents work with the federal government to study terrorism, white-collar crimes, organized crime and foreign counterintelligence. Because this is a job with the federal government, it comes with good benefits and usually a high rate of pay. The knowledge of federal laws and the rights of criminals to due process is important in this field, and graduate degrees provide that knowledge.
11. DEA Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration agents work with the US Department of Justice to fight drug trafficking and illegal drug use. This job can require quite a bit of travel, as drug problems happen all across the country. These agents need strong investigative skills, as they may need to investigate deep crime rings in order to stop drug trafficking.
12. US Marshal
Deputy marshals and criminal investigators work with the attorney general to stop civil disturbances and acts of terrorism. This is a federal law enforcement role, and it is quite varied in the day-to-day tasks the marshal will perform. In addition to investigating and fighting federal crimes, marshals help with witness security programs.
13. Private Security
Private security for high-wealth, high-profile people or businesses can be a lucrative role. If you are looking for work that is not with the government and want to put your criminal justice degree to good use, this field might work well. With a graduate degree, you will have the advanced training that the higher-paid private security jobs could require.
14. Casino Security Management
Casinos are a place where theft and crime are common issues, and they require robust security protocols. With a graduate degree, you can be in a management role within the casino security field. You will oversee the security teams that keep a casino fun and safe for patrons, while also ensuring that the casino’s financial interests are properly protected.
15. Loss Prevention Management
Loss prevention is a serious consideration for many companies. Shoplifting alone costs around $100 billion a year to retail businesses. Loss prevention managers create policies and lead teams that help reduce the risk of loss through theft.
16. Teacher/Professor
With a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in criminal justice, you can take on the responsibility of training the next generation of law enforcement professionals. If you are ready to retire from work in the field, then consider a graduate degree that will give you the chance to teach.
17. Deputy Sheriff
The primary goal of a deputy sheriff is to prevent crime within their jurisdiction. They will also provide support to individuals who are not criminals. The sheriff may need to move prisoners around the community, fill out paperwork relating to crimes and spend time on the street helping keep people safe. This differs from a police officer because the deputy sheriff typically covers an entire county. Someone who takes on this more significant responsibility can benefit from master’s level training.
18. Probation Officer Manager
A probation officer may not need a master’s degree, but a probation officer manager can benefit. Probation officers are responsible for managing people after their release from prison. They check in with those of probation to ensure they are staying on the straight and narrow and are not falling back into criminal behavior. They also provide support as many people recently released from prison find themselves in need of rehab programs or job placement help.
19. Fraud Investigator
A fraud investigator will research fraud and try to find the reason behind the fraud. This individual is highly valued in the white-collar crime world because they have the knowledge to review the evidence or lead investigations to find more evidence. With a master’s degree, you would be in a position to lead teams as a senior fraud investigator to put a stop to these costly crimes and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
20. Security Director
A security director may work with an organization, rather than law enforcement. They work to make sure the property or assets are secure and protected. In a director’s role, the professional may work on developing the security policies that other security team members must follow. If a breach occurs, the security director will be the first one to respond and handle the problem.
Get Your Advanced Degree in Criminal Justice with Keiser University
If one of these jobs appeals to you, then an advanced degree in criminal justice may be the starting point. Keiser University has three degrees for your consideration. Our master’s in Criminal Justice is a fully online program you can complete in as little as 12 months. It provides the education needed to pursue opportunities for work in law enforcement and the court system, including case management and managerial roles. The Doctorate of Criminal Justice is an advanced degree that merges criminology with practical job-relevant skills. If you are looking for a more philosophical approach to your advanced training, then the PhD in Criminal Justice could be the right approach.
Are you unsure which graduate degree is right for you? Reach out to the Keiser University graduate admission’s team to get practical advice or start your application.
