Careers in Criminal Justice Administration
Careers in criminal justice administration span a variety of occupations, including investigations, loss prevention, security and correctional supervision. You can compare these careers by using the chart below.
| Police Officer | Corrections Officer | Probation Officer | Private Investigator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Overview | Police officers enforce the laws of a particular jurisdiction. | Corrections officers oversee incarcerated individuals in a prison or related facility. | Probation officers monitor alternative sentencing for individuals. | Private investigators provide investigation services for clients. |
| Education Requirements | High school diploma and police academy training are required; employers may prefer an undergraduate degree | High school diploma and corrections officer or military training; federal prisons require a bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma required; some employers prefer a bachelor's degree |
| Program Length | Varies by jurisdiction; approximately 10 weeks to 6 months | 4 years | 4 years | 0 to 4 years |
| Experience | None | 3 years of full-time experience for federal prisons | Work as trainee for up to 1 year | Varies |
| Certification/Licensure | Police academy certification | Optional certifications available from the American Correctional Association | Certification required by some states | State licensure requirements vary; optional professional certifications are available |
| Job Outlook (2014-2024) | Below-average growth (4% for all police and sheriff's patrol officers)* | Below-average growth (4% for all correction officers and jailers)* | Slower-than-average growth (4% for all probation officers and correctional treatment specialists)* | Fast-as-average growth (5% for all private detectives and investigators)* |
| Mean Salary (2014) | Roughly $59,560 (for all police and sheriff's patrol officers)* | Roughly $44,910 (for all correction officers and jailers)* | Roughly $53,360 (for all probation officers and correctional treatment specialists)* | Roughly $52,880 (for all private detectives and investigators)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Police Officer
Police officers respond to incidents and patrol specific areas to enforce laws. This can include conducting traffic stops, issuing tickets and making arrests. They're often asked to testify in the criminal prosecution of suspects. Police officers are employed through local, state or federal law enforcement agencies, including local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and state and federal investigations bureaus.
Requirements
Police officers are generally required to complete police academy training offered through their state or local jurisdiction. Police academy applicants must possess a high school diploma and be at least 21 years of age by the completion of their training. Training covers criminal procedure, firearms, basic life support and other aspects of police work. If you want to enter police work right after graduation from high school but prior to your 21st birthday, you might be able to work as a cadet, taking classes and learning on the job. All cadets and police recruits must complete a criminal background check and drug screen, as well as pass physical and psychological evaluations.
Here are some real job postings for police officers from November 2012:
- A Tennessee police department sought patrol officers to perform duties including responding to citizens' needs, keeping the peace and assisting in crime prevention. Available specialized units included patrol, detective, SWAT and canine units.
- A Minnesota police department was looking for a police officer. Candidates needed to have met state training requirements.
- A California police department sought a police officer. Candidates needed to be a lateral applicant, a currently-employed California peace officer or an academy attendee or graduate.
Standing Out
Although a high school diploma is generally the minimum education requirement for police officers, many 2-year and 4-year colleges offer postsecondary criminal justice programs that can help you gain an advantage in your career. You also might wish to pursue training in a specialized area of police work, such as narcotics enforcement or special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team.
Corrections Officer
Corrections officers oversee incarcerated individuals in jails, prisons and reformatories. They enforce facility rules, sometimes by conducting searches, and supervise the daily activities of inmates. Correctional facilities are often plagued with physical conflicts, so corrections officers have a high rate of injury, as well as stress and anxiety. Due to declining crime rates and the increasing use of alternative sentencing for offenders, the BLS 2010-2020 projections indicate below-average growth for these professionals in the coming years.
Requirements
A high school diploma is generally a sufficient educational background for corrections officers. However, in most states, entry-level corrections officers must be at least 21 years of age. Many hiring agencies prefer candidates with military training or some criminal justice experience or education. As with a police officer career, you'll need to complete academy training designed to prepare you for work in a correctional facility. For work in federal prisons, you must complete a bachelor's degree program and 200 hours of training.
Here are some real job postings for corrections officers from November 2012:
- A Colorado facility sought a part-time correctional officer to oversee inmates or detainees. The successful candidate needed a high school diploma or equivalent with required college coursework in behavioral science or correctional services or related professional experience.
- A state department of public safety in Baltimore, Maryland, was looking for a correctional officer. The candidate had to be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- A North Carolina county sheriff's office sought a detention officer. The candidate had to be at least 21 years of age and a resident of the region. A high school diploma or equivalent was required; applicants who had earned an associate's or bachelor's degree would be eligible for pay increases.
Standing Out
Hiring agencies might prefer candidates with some postsecondary education. According to O*NET, in 2010, 57% of surveyed professionals held a high school diploma, while 43% possessed some college experience. Professionals also have the option to pursue certification, such as that offered by the American Correctional Association, for advancement or specialization in correctional supervision.
Probation Officer
Also known as correctional treatment specialists, probation officers oversee offenders sentenced to probation. In addition to monitoring offenders, they provide resources and evaluate offender treatment. They are often asked to testify in court, providing judges and prosecutors with sentencing recommendations. Correctional treatment specialists who oversee long-term sentencing deferment are known as parole officers.
Based on BLS 2010 data, 56% of workers in this profession were employed at the state level, while 41% were employed by local governments. Some professionals found work with private contracting firms. The recent popularity of alternative sentencing should produce about average job growth, according to BLS 2010-2020 projections.
Requirements
The vast majority of professionals possess a bachelor's degree in an academic field such as social work, criminal justice or psychology. According to O*NET, in 2011, 86% of surveyed professionals held a bachelor's degree, while 7% had a master's degree. Appropriate postsecondary education could include a bachelor's degree program in criminal justice administration with courses covering probation. You also might be required to complete a state training program that includes a certification examination.
Here are some real job postings for probation officers from November 2012:
- A California offender services contractor sough a probation officer/case worker. The candidate needed a bachelor's degree and professional communication skills.
- The federal judicial branch was looking for an assistant director of probation and pretrial services. The candidate needed a degree in a behavioral sciences field or commensurate experience.
- A Montana corrections department sought a probation and parole officer with a bachelor's or master's degree in a field such as criminology, psychology, counseling or social work. Related experience could substitute for educational achievement.
Standing Out
Alternative sentencing for drug and alcohol abusers, as well as domestic violence offenders, often includes treatment services. Obtaining specialized training or certification in domestic violence treatment or alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment could provide you with a competitive advantage. You also might stand out by gaining some experience in pretrial services.
Private Investigator
Private investigators are employed by clients to conduct background checks, security analysis and surveillance. They often collect evidence and conduct interviews in preparation for criminal or civil court cases. Insurance companies employ or contract investigators to provide liability or fraud investigations. The increasing prevalence of cybercrimes and the demand for corporate security should lead to above-average job growth over the coming years, according to BLS 2010-2020 projections.
Requirements
Education levels vary for professional private investigators, but licensure is required in most states, including registration and licensure for firearm use. Voluntary certifications are available from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Legal Investigators. Corporate employment might require a bachelor's degree or specialized training in computer forensics. Private investigators must be prepared to work irregular hours while encountering dangerous situations.
Here are some real job postings for private investigators from November 2012:
- A North Carolina investigative firm sought a licensed private investigator to perform surveillance related to insurance claims for worker's compensation and general insurance liability cases. Candidates needed valid state licenses, computer skills and some criminal justice or military experience.
- A third-party administrator in Illinois was looking for a special investigator to conduct claims investigations and compile comprehensive reports. A bachelor's degree and three years of experience were preferred qualifications.
- A government contractor in Atlanta, Georgia, sought a threat analyst with top-secret clearance to provide cybersecurity for a variety of information technology environments. Candidates needed to possess familiarity with a variety of network systems and demonstrated experience in monitoring and intelligence analysis.
Standing Out
While postsecondary criminal justice or cybersecurity training could be useful, obtaining specialized experience in insurance, networks, surveillance and evidence collection also could prove beneficial. Some professionals are able to obtain experience under the supervision of experienced investigators and can advance to supervisory roles or, eventually, firm ownership.
