Well Educated Means Well Qualified in Criminal Justice

By Joe Cooper
Career Colleges Columnist

The US Department of Labor says that police jobs will increase by nearly 25 percent by 2010. This new growth will create more demand for criminal justice education, which has changed with modern technology. Learn what kind of training you need to fight crime (and win the hiring war)!

Competition Strong Among Educated Criminal Justice Candidates

A New England coastal town needs a new police chief. The hiring manager is having a tough time—it's tough to choose just one resume from a stack of well qualified candidates. Two candidates are almost identical, earning bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, not to mention more than 15 years of experience as policemen. Another candidate holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a master's degree in criminal justice, and a master's degree in counseling, plus a whopping 25 years experience in the police force. How would you stack up against the competition?

This candidate pool is becoming common within the criminal justice field. Jobs require degrees, and sometimes multiple degrees. In order to remain competitive, the criminal justice professional must be educated. What’s more, you’ll have to continue to attend classes to keep pace with your peers, even after yo'’re in the field. How? Through online criminal justice degree programs.

Degrees for a Career, not a Job

Degrees in criminal justice are growing in popularity thanks to industry growth, military programs, and the increasing number of positions available. Some students are turning to the Internet for their education, pursuing online bachelor's degrees and/or online master's degrees in criminal justice.

Online Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice

Many schools, colleges and universities offer both bachelor's and master's degrees, making students' education paths shorter. A bachelor's degree online typically takes 3-4 years, and most online master's degree programs last 18-24 months. Online bachelor's and master's degrees programs are accredited by similar accrediting institutions (if not the same) as traditional campus-based colleges. Earn online bachelor's or master's degree from the comfort of home and on your own schedule. Don’t worry if you can’t afford to quit your job to attend school—just do what you can in your spare time. Remember, you’ve got steep competition. Invest in your education and you’ll not only improve your job security, but your earning potential as well.

About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.

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