Careers in Criminal Justice
The criminal justice major is designed for students who are planning a career in criminal justice areas, such as law and judicially-related fields, law enforcement and administration, probation and parole, criminology, adult and juvenile corrections, or urban planning and affairs.
There are a wide variety of criminal justice careers at the local, state, and national levels. Students who major in criminal justice can pursue many career paths. Graduates have gone on to work as police officers, probation officers, sheriff’s deputies, pre-trial case workers, and lawyers.
Possible career paths
- Police Officer
- Attorney
- Case Manager
- Corrections Officer
- Court services Officer
- Customs Agent
- Deputy Sheriff
- Fish and Game Warden
- Immigration and Naturalization
- Inmate Employment Specialist
- Lawyer
- Parole Officer
- Pre-trial Services Officer
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Security Officer
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- U.S. Marshal
- Victim Services Specialist
Where are Carthage criminal justice graduates now?
- Police Officer — City of Chicago Police Department
- Police Officer — City of Kenosha Police Department
- Police Officer — City of South Milwaukee Police Department
- Police Officer — Johnsburg Police Department
- Dispatcher — Winthrop Harbor Police Department
- Recruiter — Aerotek
- Probation Officer — State of Wisconsin
- Deputy Sheriff — Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department
- Deputy Sheriff — McHenry County Sheriff’s Office
- Special Agent — ATF
Salary and Career Outlook
Turnover in law enforcement is fairly low, but opportunities can be expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2018. Most growth will be in urban areas. Employment of police officers and detectives is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018.
Nationally, criminal justice majors with bachelor’s degrees reported starting salaries of $34,800 in 2012. Starting salaries for police patrol officers is $50,100.
Visit The Aspire Center for more information on careers after carthage