Dallas Criminal Justice Careers, Jobs, & Salaries

Criminal justice covers a number of specialties including forensics, information security, law enforcement, and social work, to name just a few.

Criminal justice degrees are offered at all levels and those interested in getting an introduction to the field and starting in an entry level position could earn a diploma or certificate. Many students opt for the associate's degree, while still others go for the bachelor's or even a graduate degree. The great thing about criminal justice degrees is that you can build on your credentials depending on how your career unfolds. For more information about criminal justice degrees, read Degrees in Criminal Justice.

An associate's degree in criminal justice can be completed in two years. Providing students with basic essential criminal justice skills, an associate degree in criminal justice often highlights specialized skills and lays the groundwork for the student to move on to a 4-year program. Local and state law enforcement agencies often want recruits to have at least some college under their belt.

A bachelor's degree is required for those wishing to find positions with federal law enforcement agencies, and is helpful for career advancement for state and local officers. Bachelor's degrees include courses on criminology, sociology, reasoning, and law.

Higher level degrees, such as master's degrees and PhD's, often feature a concentration in the sciences and are geared towards public safety and philosophy. They often (but not always) focus on the administration of law enforcement and security, and so can lead to more advanced positions in corrections, probation, the court system, or research.

If you are looking to study criminal justice online, then you are in luck. Criminal justice is one of the most popular online degrees offered today, and it's offered by a variety of top, accredited institutions. Online criminal justice students can earn a degree at any level, all from the comforts of their own home. Pursuing an online criminal justice degree allows students to find the best school for them, regardless of where it's located, while capitalizing on local resources for internships and other experiences.

Areas of study may include:

• History of the Law
• Juvenile Justice
• Court Systems and Procedures
• Crime Theory
• Criminal Justice Ethics
• Security
• Law Enforcement and Police Operations
• Prisoner and Victim Rights
• Investigation

Criminal Justice Careers

As a graduate, you can pursue employment at federal, state, and local government agencies; security companies; private investigation services; businesses and retail stores; law firms; and in private probation.

Careers in criminal justice include:

• Criminal Investigator
• Coast Guard
• DEA Agent
• FBI Agent
• Police Officer
• Sheriff
• US Marshall
• ATF Agent
• Corrections Officer
• Legal Assistant
• Customs Agent
• Court Administrator

Outlook & Salary

Careers in criminal justice administration have great outlooks through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual earnings and job growth expectations for several criminal justice careers in Dallas include:

Correctional Officers: $35,760
Excellent job growth of 16% through 2016

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists: $42,500 (higher wages in urban areas)
Employment growth is projected to be 11% through 2016

Detectives: $53,990
Projected job growth of 17%, with especially high need in urban and other high crime areas;

Police Officers: $47,460 for local officers, $68,990 for state officers, and $85,170 for Federal government officers
Police officers have a good to excellent job outlook in most areas, with an anticipated job growth of 11%, due to an increasingly security-conscious society. The most opportunity exists in local police forces, and in urban areas where crime rates are higher and there is greater need.

Have more questions about careers in Criminal Justice or looking for criminal justice degree programs and colleges? Visit CriminalJusticeDegree.org for more information on degree programs in your area.