Criminal justice can be a good major if you’re interested in examining a knowledge base and skill set that can be applicable to a wide range of careers. A major in criminal justice can lay a foundation for pursuing an entry-level career or for continuing your education at the graduate level or at a professional school.

Is criminal justice a good major for you? It may be helpful to understand the potential impact of your future career. You may decide to pursue a career in law enforcement. Alternatively, working in the court system or in law practices could be a good option if you don’t see yourself as a future officer. Another possibility is a career behind the scenes working on public policy that affects the judicial system.^{(See disclaimer 1 )}An emphasis in public administration would be the best fit for a path like this.

The criminal justice system comprises three main branches with many different divisions. The three major branches are law enforcement, the court system and corrections organizations. When considering your career choices, it may be helpful to narrow your options down to one of the branches and then take a look at individual career paths. 

You should major in criminal justice if you have an interest in the justice system and a desire to pursue a related career. The justice field encompasses an incredibly diverse range of career options, including entry-level options and mid- to late-career options that may require additional education or experience. There are also options to switch careers to a different pathway in the criminal justice field.

Why study criminal justice if you aren’t quite sure about your career path yet? You might be attracted to it because it’s a versatile choice. This major teaches a range of transferable skills that can be applicable to a variety of career fields.

Course content includes criminal behavior, ethics in criminal justice and crime prevention.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can serve as an excellent starting point for specializing in one of the three branches of criminal justice: law enforcement, the courts and corrections. For example, you may decide to apply to a police academy after earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice degree, pursue further education to become a paralegal or court administrator or seek a position as a probation officer. Each branch offers unique career paths and opportunities to serve your community.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Earning a master’s degree can help you position yourself for potential career advancement. By furthering your education in criminal justice, you can more closely examine important subjects like constitutional rights under the law, including due process, equal protection and freedom of speech and religion.

The criminal justice courses you’ll take during your undergraduate program cover a broad framework of knowledge and skills that may be broadly applicable across careers. 

These core competencies typically include the following:

• Civil and criminal law
• Case management and justice technology
• Public safety practices and threat assessment
• Organizational psychology applied to justice organizations
• Professional responsibility in criminal justice fields

A criminal justice curriculum teaches students a wide range of knowledge in all major branches of the criminal justice system. In addition, students will have opportunities to refine their communication skills, become effective servant leaders and understand ethical decision-making. These specific skills can apply to most careers, including the criminal justice system.

A master’s degree in the criminal justice field will have a narrower focus than a bachelor’s degree, depending on the student’s preferred specialization. For instance, criminal justice master’s degree students may choose to focus on legal studies or law enforcement. 

Students who earn a specialization in law enforcement will work through a curriculum that focuses on crime prevention, criminal behavior, crime analysis and the intersection of law and public policy. Students who earn a specialization in legal studies will explore topics like legal communication, legal research and best practices in consulting. 

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop hard and soft skills during your time as a criminal justice major. Some of the skills you may be taught include: 

• Criminal behavior analysis: You will examine criminal behaviors, including common motivators, and review theories of victimology.
• Organizational behavior and leadership: If you want to take on a leadership role in your future career, you can delve into organizational behavior, leadership styles and effective management strategies.
• Law and public policy: Criminal justice majors tend to closely examine laws and public policies, including both criminal and civil law.
• Research methods: Research skills can be used in a wide range of careers. Here, you’ll focus on research methods in the criminal justice field.
• Ethics and decision-making: Professional responsibility and ethical decision-making are crucial in every field but are especially applicable for criminal justice majors. You’ll be prompted to reflect on what it means to be an ethical public servant.

There is a wide range of career possibilities that students with a focus in criminal justice may pursue, depending on the general or specialized content in the degree program. Some of these career fields may require a master’s degree or additional education and training.

Is criminal justice a good major to become a lawyer? Yes, it’s one possibility,^{(See disclaimer 1)} although you’ll also need to go to law school and pass the bar exam following your undergraduate degree.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Other career paths may require other types of education or training beyond a baccalaureate degree. 

Some examples of career options related to criminal justice include the following:^{(See disclaimer 1,3)}

• Probation officer: Probation officers work with offenders during their probation period. They attempt to help the offenders they supervise make progress toward successful lives after probation. Other tasks that probation officers complete may include filling out reports, evaluating success plans and investigating backgrounds.
• Police officer: Police officers work for local and state law enforcement agencies. They are responsible for responding to emergencies, patrolling an assigned area, conducting investigations and testifying during court cases.
• Private investigator: Private investigators have a variety of duties, depending on the case they are working on. They may conduct interviews, conduct research and carry out surveillance while they search for information on their case.
• Corrections officer: Corrections officers work within prisons and jails to make sure rules are being followed and conditions are safe. Because corrections officers work so closely with inmates, this career can be dangerous at times. Some tasks that corrections officers may perform include supervising activities, conducting inspections and writing reports.
• Lawyer: An example of a law specialty that lawyers work with is criminal and/or civil law. They are responsible for representing their clients in court, providing legal counsel and negotiating on behalf of their clients outside of court. Other examples include constitutional law, administrative law, international law, contract law, tort law, property law, family law, employment/labor law, environmental law, corporate/business law, tax law, immigration law, intellectual property/patent law, bankruptcy law, military law and cyber/technology law.
• Paralegal: Paralegals work with attorneys to assist them through research, administrative work, interviews and documentation.

Law school is a popular destination for those who major in criminal justice. Do note, however, that there is no single major that is appropriate for law school. Law schools will consider applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

If you do wish to go to law school, you might pursue entry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. It’s a good idea to research the requirements for the law schools you wish to apply to before enrolling in a baccalaureate program.

After graduating from law school, you will need to pass the Uniform Bar Exam in order to become a licensed lawyer. Some types of lawyers need additional qualifications. For example, aspiring patent lawyers need an academic background in science or engineering, and they need to pass an exam administered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Prepare for a career in the criminal justice field by enrolling as an undergraduate in Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree program. If you already hold an undergraduate degree, consider applying to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement degree or the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies program. For the working professional, these programs are offered online as an alternative to weekly evening courses. 

To learn more about these programs and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, fill out the form on this page.