Few careers carry the prestige and importance of one in criminal justice. This line of work is responsible for keeping the community and nation safe.
The criminal justice career field is stable and pays well. For these reasons, it should come as no surprise that job growth in this field is strong. In fact, the number of police officers and detectives is forecasted to increase by 5% over the next eight years.
Read on to learn what a degree in criminal justice can do for you. Explore 6 benefits of an online criminal justice degree to help you make a decision.
1. Job Security
Criminal justice is a recession-proof career field. It does not matter what is happening with the national or state economy.
The truth is that crime typically goes up when economic conditions deteriorate. This means that you have incredible job security.
There are more than 813,000 police officers and detectives in the United States. This figure does not include all the other jobs in criminal justice.
In spite of the high numbers, another 40,000-plus are expected to be hired over the next eight years. This is all in spite of a political movement to defund the police.
2. Rewarding
A criminal justice degree paves the way for you to land a rewarding job. With a career in criminal justice, you are going to spend a lifetime helping vulnerable people.
Whether it is investigating a crime or helping prosecute a criminal, you are contributing to a better world. This involves getting bad people off the street and helping those in duress.
3. Great Pay
Great pay is another benefit to working in the criminal justice field. The median annual wage is more than $67,000 per year.
This salary varies depending on your employer and what state you work in. The annual mean wage in some states, like California, is over $100,000.
4. Stellar Benefits
Employees in the criminal justice field are represented by powerful unions. This means that the union is fighting for the best possible benefits.
Police officers, detectives, and other public employees have incredible health care plans. They also have generous pension programs.
5. Potential Employers
When people think of criminal justice, they automatically envision local governments and police forces. However, the criminal justice field has many potential employers.
For example, you can work for the federal government. A degree in criminal justice opens up opportunities working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Others opt to work for the U.S. Secret Service or Border Patrol.
6. Online Education
You do not need to go away to college for a degree in criminal justice. There are many online programs available that are convenient for students.
Websites like https://www.criminaljusticeprogramsonline.com/ show all the different programs out there. An added benefit is that attending school online is cheaper than traditional schooling.
Six Benefits of an Online Criminal Justice Degree
Now, you are ready to pursue a fruitful career from the convenience of your home. You do not need to reside at a college in order to do so.
Online programs allow for an efficient alternative at a fraction of the cost. If you enjoyed this article about the benefits of an online criminal justice degree, check out our blog for more great content.
