Both criminal justice and homeland security offer the chance to learn about defending justice and your community. Master’s degree programs in both fields open the door to potential career advancement and leadership roles. Yet many people do not understand the difference between these two-degree paths. While there is overlap between them, there are also substantial differences. As you consider your options for graduate work in these public service areas, here is what you need to know about these degree options to choose the best one for your education.
What Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
A master’s in criminal justice is a graduate-level degree that deeply looks at the criminal justice system. This degree is not focused on why criminals commit crimes but on how the criminal justice system holds them accountable.
According to Dr. Frederick W. Turner II, chair of the Criminal Justice Graduate Department at Keiser University, the school created its program for students who “may not have a bachelor’s in criminal justice” but want to work in the field. The graduate program gives them the insight and information they need to do just that.
This program’s courses focus on the justice system’s main branches. Students will learn about the courts, corrections, policing, and the juvenile justice system. Like most graduate-level programs, research is also part of the program. Students complete a capstone project that incorporates research into the criminal justice field.
What Is a Master’s in Homeland Security?
A master’s in homeland security focuses on the type of work the Department of Homeland Security performs. Dr. Turner states that this includes “everything from protecting the borders to immigration, terrorism, and emergency management.” Homeland security is a broad degree that focuses on areas where the government steps in to help law enforcement officials. It covers many of the same subjects as criminal justice but adds border security, disaster management, and terrorism.
Similarities and Differences in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Students who study criminal justice will graduate with a broad knowledge of the criminal justice branches and United States law. This opens the door to various opportunities within the government and private and nonprofit areas. In some ways, criminal justice incorporates homeland security, as immigration law, border control law, and similar concerns are part of the criminal justice degree.
Homeland security degrees focus on the type of work performed through the Department of Homeland Security. This degree will study immigration, border control, infrastructure protection, and emergency planning. While it will cover some of the same things as criminal justice, the focus is more specific.
Both degrees will cover criminal justice issues and criminological theory , and often have some shared curriculum typical in courses like theory, ethics, and leadership. Where they differ is the primary focus. Homeland Security focuses on problems that affect all Americans or create devastation across the population. Criminal justice focuses on crime and the criminal justice system.
Who Is a Good Fit?
While any student can choose to study criminal justice or homeland security if they are looking for a career change, some populations are naturally a good fit for these two programs. These include:
Veterans
Dr. Turner indicates that veterans are an excellent fit for these degree programs. A veteran himself, he believes that the skills gained serving in the military transfer nicely into criminal justice or homeland security work. Veterans already know how to support justice and have the training & experience to work within government agencies.
Security Professionals
If you already work in security, getting a graduate degree in one of these two fields is a good choice. Your knowledge of helping keep people safe will transfer well into these programs, and your additional education will help pave the way to leadership roles and higher potential salaries.
Past Work Experience
Students with past work experience in security or public administration often find they fit well with a graduate degree in criminal justice or homeland security. The ability to navigate challenging situations and protect other people that is gained through these jobs transfers well into these degree programs. Getting a graduate degree will often open the door to higher-paying career opportunities within either of these fields.
Past Undergraduate Experience
If someone already holds a degree in security or criminal justice, earning a graduate degree in the same field can make sense. It allows you to expand your knowledge and appeal to potential employers by advancing your degree. However, this is not a prerequisite for these degree programs. Sometimes, people with a bachelor’s degree in a completely different field looking for a career change can use a graduate degree to spark that change. Other times, with similar programs like criminal justice & homeland security, it may be beneficial to broaden your expertise by getting a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a master’s in homeland security – or vice versa.
Career Outlook
As you consider career options within the world of criminal justice or homeland security, there are many potential paths open to someone with a graduate degree. Here are some common ones:
Government Jobs
Both criminal justice and homeland security can open the door to careers within the government. Criminal justice graduates can work in leadership roles within the criminal justice field, such as:
- DEA agents
- Detectives
- Prison wardens
- FBI agents
- U.S. Marshalls
- Probation officer managers
- Sheriffs
- Compliance officers
- Investigators
These roles are often within the government because city governments control police departments. Some roles, such as working for the FBI or the Secret Service, are federal government positions.
If you want to work for the federal government, a degree in homeland security may be the better choice. The Department of Homeland Security has many potential career paths focused on protecting the general population from terrorism and helping them recover from other disasters. Homeland security graduates can find employment as:
- Border patrol directors
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Transportation security agents (TSA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agents (FEMA)
- Customs and Border Patrol Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- Policy Analyst
These federal careers draw on the information learned in homeland security degree programs. While there is a wide range of career opportunities, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates an average yearly pay for police and detective work. This field has quite an extensive range of possible pay rates, however. For example, those who land roles in the federal government are among the highest-paid professionals in this field, with a potential income of over $93,000 annually. Also, a graduate degree usually means the potential for a higher-paid position.
Teaching Roles
One of the perks of earning a graduate degree is the ability to impart your knowledge to the next generation of criminal justice professionals. If you have been working in the field for a while and are ready to have a career change, transferring into a teaching role could be a good choice. This requires a master’s degree and often a Ph.D. The BLS indicates an average salary for college professors of over $79,000 a year, much faster than average job growth potential.
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts work with private companies or government organizations like the FBI to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities. A degree in criminal justice and homeland security can open the door to this field. Intelligence analysts will be helped by courses in research, policy, and ethics. In addition to identifying risks, these professionals help build strategic defenses to avoid those risks or deal with them if the threat becomes a reality. Recent data from O-Net Online indicates an average wage of over $83,000 for this role.
Private Security
Private security or detective work can be lucrative in the right location. Many companies and individuals need professionals with criminal justice training to help them manage their security. Your advanced degree in this field will be an excellent credential to add to your work experience. The BLS estimates that private detectives earn nearly $60,000 a year.
Grow Your Career with a Master’s from Keiser
As long as there are people, they will need protection. If you are passionate about playing a role in protecting the people in your community, then the right degree is essential. A master’s degree in criminal justice or homeland security can open the door to these potential careers and help you land a lucrative and rewarding job. Reach out today to learn more about these graduate programs and see where your future could take you with help from Keiser University.
