Online Law Degree

Posts Tagged ‘justice’

With the increasing rate of criminal incidences and security issues, criminal justice is emerging as an important course to be learned and is gaining wide popularity over the years. The recent events of terrorism have generated a rave amongst citizens to gather knowledge about the subjects quite unknown to them, and hence criminal justice has become a really interesting topic to study as of now. Criminal law bachelor’s degree will provide the student a rare chance to understand the laws and regulations enforced to keep the criminal justices at par and also comprehend upon the cj theory, corrections, law enforcements, courts, forensics and paralegals.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal law will also help an individual to gain entry-level jobs or can also make the person eligible for enhanced career options like the corrections, public safety, parole, investigation, juvenile justice, court systems, private protective services, probation and law enforcements.

It is interesting to note that there are a huge number of universities and colleges who are offering the bachelor program in this category and with specialization in specific areas in criminal law. Kaplan University is amongst the top class universities of the country and enjoys a unique position of providing bachelor programs in criminal justice highlighting on eleven varied areas of the subject. The university provides BS programs in Legal studies and a BS programs in Paralegal studies. Everest University Online also provides diverse bachelor degrees in criminal investigation, paralegal studies and homeland security, which gives this great chance to the students to concentrate on their area of interest.

American InterContinental University Online provides an accelerated bachelor program on the subject. Capella University offers BS in Public Safety with specializations including Homeland Security and paralegal education. Strayer University is quite different in its approach of providing degrees based on the tastes of the students like the BS in Criminal Justice with Homeland Security and Emergency Management or Homeland Security Technology as the specialization subjects. Bachelor degree programs in Crime Scene Investigation, Cyber Crime and Juvenile Justice is offered by the South University and is quite popular for its exclusive contribution of different degrees which is based on the needs of the students. Walden University provides an exclusive program known as the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal law and Criminals.

It is important to know that a bachelor’s degree in criminal law will enrich the student with knowledge about the various criminal justice procedures and the knowledge for public safety research and principles. Criminal Justice Bachelor degree programs will put you in front of your career lane and will allow you to be a specialist at your task, displaying professionalism and commitment towards your job.

Introduction

The legal field is growing at a rapid pass, one of the encouraging factor for this growth is the investment of government in homeland security. The investment in homeland security has also lead to the increase of demand in public and private safety. Many law enforcement departments now have increased the academic requirements for law enforcement officer, security personnel or other position that requires knowledge in criminal justice, most of them require at least an associate degree for the position or career promotion. This means that in the field of criminal justice, qualified and skilled professionals are always in demand.

Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree Online

To upgrade the skills & knowledge in criminal justice or to enter into this highly demand field without stopping your current work (or simply busy) isn’t as hard as it used to be. The time, distance and financial constraints of higher education have all but disappeared with the arrival of distance learning and now everyone who are interested in this field can earn the criminal justice degree via online technology. Today, many traditional universities and online colleges offer Criminal Justice Degrees and the students can attend the courses online. Among the universities who offers Criminal Justice Degree Online are:

University of Phoenix Online
Kaplan University
Boston University
American InterContinental University Online
Colorado Technical University
Grantham University
Keiser College Online

Career Opportunities A criminal justice degree can put you on a career path in Law Enforcement, Investigations, Courts, Security, Corrections, Law, Forensic Science and Public Safety. Among these careers are:
Crime Scene Investigation Crime scene investigators are responsible for carrying out complex crime scene investigations. They are accountable for the initial evaluation of the scene, and use various types of equipment to cultivate, secure, and package any physical evidence found at the scene. Base on the degree level and experience, the annual salary range for this career may range from $35,000 to $55,000.

ATF Agent ATF Agent usually Work for the U.S. Treasury Department and they are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of U.S. laws concerning the possession and sale of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. Base on the degree level and job grade, base annual salary range for this job range from $30,000 to $130,000. (see example hiring ad for ATF agent at USAJobs – jobsearch.usajob.opm.gov )

CIA Agent The CIA Agent roles include providing accurate, timely, comprehensive, evidence-based, foreign intelligence associated with national security; and conducting special activities, counterintelligence activities, and other functions related to national security, and foreign intelligence, as directed by the President. The annual salary for this job may vary by job functions but this is one of the high income categories in criminal justice field.

Criminologist Criminologist primarily involved in research and teaching, criminologists supply a great deal of knowledge to the study of policing, police administration and policy, juvenile justice and delinquency, corrections, correctional administration and policy & etc. According to a 2002-03 survey by the American Association of University Professors, salaries for full-time faculty averaged $64,455. By rank, the average was $86,437 for professors, $61,732 for associate professors, $51,545 for assistant professors, $37,737 for instructors, and $43,914 for lecturers.
FBI Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are the Government’s primary researchers, accountable for investigating infringement of over 260 statutes and performing susceptible national security investigations. The average annual salary for a FBI Agent is in range of $40,000 to 100,000.

Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychologists apply psychology to criminal justice. They frequently deal with legal issues such as news law, and public policies, and are asked to determine the mental state and competency of the defendant at the time of the crime, and throughout the legal proceedings. Psychologists earned between $45,000 and $100,000 annually. (see example job ad at (see example hiring ad at USAJobs – jobsearch.usajob.opm.gov)

Forensic Science Forensic scientists help to solve crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence and other facts found at the scene. They specifically analyze fingerprints, blood, semen, firearms, saliva, and drugs, and may also reconstruct skeletal bones. Experienced forensic scientists earn an average salary of $55000 per year. Federal salaries are usually higher. (see example job ad at (see example hiring ad at USAJobs – jobsearch.usajob.opm.gov )

Paralegal Paralegals are supervised by licensed attorneys. They offer assistance by completing legal research, preparing notebooks for trial, interviewing clients, helping write legal briefs, reviewing and updating files, and drafting documents. Salary and benefits for paralegals vary according to location, job responsibilities, and the type of law office they work for. Starting salaries usually range from $1,300 to $1,800 per month in smaller towns and law firms. Paralegals employed by the federal government earn an average annual salary of between $20,000 and $25,000, according to their experience and skills.

Summary

The career opportunities mentioned above are not the full job list, there are many jobs related to criminal justice field for you as a graduate major in this area. Please note that the salary figures stated for each job types are for your reference purpose, the figure may vary by hiring locations, degree types, job requirement & etc.

The requirements to get a criminal justice degree vary from school to school, but there are some things that remain consistent from one institution to the next, as there are certain standards for accreditation that require a certain level of consistency throughout the programs.  Anyone who is considering getting one of these criminal justice degrees should definitely be prepared for the expectations of the program.  Not all degree programs are alike, though, so it’s also important to understand the different options.

Criminal justice degree programs tend to be set up in either one of two ways.  Some programs are more academic and focus on the many theories that explore the social dimensions of crime.  Others are set up to prepare individuals for specific vocations.  And with a criminal justice bachelor’s degree, there will also be general education and elective courses required.  The criminal justice degree at Villanova University, for example, focuses on the perspective of criminology, with required courses including Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Police and Society, Criminal Courts, Penology and Corrections and Criminological Theory.

The requirements to get a criminal justice degree like the one from Villanova will also require a course centered on statistics, but these aren’t just any stats classes that you’d normally take in college.  Course options include Criminal Justice Research and Statistics, Data Analysis for Social Scientists and Applied Research Methods.  Students must also choose from electives such as The Supreme Court, Capital Punishment, White Collar Crime, Victimology, Drugs and Society, Sociology of Deviance, Juvenile Delinquency, Sociology of Law and Race and Ethnic Relations.

Other schools such as the University of Southern Illinois have a very different approach with their criminal justice degrees, which use a much more pragmatic methodology.  The required courses for this program include Introduction to Criminal Justice Administration, Policing in America, Analysis in Criminal Justice, Prosecution and Adjudication, Introduction to Private Security, Introduction to Corrections and Victims of Crime.  These courses are designed for students who plan on entering vocations in the criminal justice field as soon as they graduate.  Both of these programs, however, will require some standard criminal justice courses as well as general education courses.

In recent years, due to increased   amount of criminal practices and terrorist attacks, there is enormous demand of educated security force. Because of this, numbers of criminal justice degree online courses are introduced. Some of the popular online criminal justice degree courses are homeland security degree, degree in law enforcement, online public safety & security degree, bachelor and master degree in corrections,  computer security online Degree, online forensics degree and crime investigation degree.

Online Homeland Security Degree

The online degree provides education and skills needful for progress in corporate and governance security. A variety of degrees and diplomas are obtainable in homeland security degree like bachelor and master degree in homeland security, Diploma in homeland security, undergraduate documentation in homeland security and homeland security associate degree.

Law Enforcement Degree

Law enforcement officer is generally has the fundamental duty to safeguard innocent and weak mankind against violence and to respect all fundamentals and constitutional rights of a person. Law enforcement officer has variety of duties depending on the size of union.  Locomotive superior opportunities with online degree and postgraduate degree in law enforcement from different authorized criminal justice colleges.

Corrections Online Degree

Computer Security Degree

Computer crime is global theft and increasing day by day. Cyber crime like hacking is a very  severe   danger  for national security and economy . A degree in computer security enables very basic  kind of the cyber crime and computer crime. . Computer security degree includes understanding  and safeguarding computer cyberspace and digital assets .

Crime Investigation Degree

Crime Scene Investigator  undertake  with some  detailed type of cases.  Crime scene investigator  scans  and gathers records,  monitor the  tricks of the crime areas. With  superior criminal justice degree in crime investigation, Graduates may pursue  career as fingerprint technicians, print examiners and evidence technicians.

Public Safety and Security Degree

The degree in public safety and security degree  permit emergency  reaction and skills to lead and motivate  weak during emergency situations. . Walden University and Capella University  get ready candidate to tackle  and address  dissimilar   crisis situations.

Online Forensics Degree

Online degree in forensics  consist of  crime scene investigator, computer forensics specialists and  inspect cheaters and fraud.

In recent years, there is an increase of 27% in demand of FBI agents, forensics and police officers. All these criminal justice degrees and courses are  accessible online and  qualified  from popular  criminal justice colleges like university of phoenix, Everest University, Kaplan University, Westwood College and many more.

I am about to finish my online degree from the University of Phoenix.
It is a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice.
I want to apply to Law School after.
I am about to finish my online degree from the University of Phoenix.
It is a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice.
I want to apply to Law School after.

Not the online program. I am talking about attending their 3 year in-class program for a bachelors degree in criminal justice.
There have been a lot of negative comments about the school, but when I called my local police and sheriff’s departments, they said Westwood was on the list of accredited schools.

Candidates for the Faculty of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice must meet the following requirements.

1. Hours for the Degree: Completion of a minimum of 124 total semester hours, with 24 of the last 30

hours completed at UNT; a minimum of 42 hours must be advanced, with at least 12 hours of advanced work in the major and 24 of the 42 advanced hours completed at UNT.

2. General University Requirements: See “General Degree Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog.

3. General Academic Requirements for Degree (including University Core Curriculum): Minimum of

52 hours. See “Summary of Degree Requirements” for exact hours.

4. Major Requirements: Major of 57 hours, including 45 hours of criminal justice courses and 12 hours of supporting courses.

5. Electives: 15 hours.

6. Other Requirements:

• All students entering the criminal justice program must have a cumulative grade point average of at least

2.0 or otherwise be in good academic standing.

A career in Criminal justice offers an individual numerous challenges, opportunities and room for growth. The latter paper is a rough draft of what it entails to follow such a line. This information was obtained through a personal interview between myself and a Sergeant in the Department of Corrections. The interviewees name was Sergeant B. Harris. He has been with the Department of Corrections for a number of years and was also my supervisor during my term of service within the force.

Physical fitness was another important milestone in this process. He was required to demonstrate that he could run for long distances, do long jumps, push ups, bench presses and even vertical leaps within a short span of time. As if these were not enough an officer in that line is required to demonstrate their mental capabilities through a series of interviews. Here, one is required to show that they are capable of making good decisions under high stress situations since police work my subject one to choose between life or death. Also, high levels of discipline, respect for authority and passion for police work had to be demonstrated.

Having a online degree and was given extra points for doing a post graduate diploma in accounting. It took a lot of patience for him to enter the force because he was rejected three times. The reasons given were that there were no vacancies within the Department of Corrections at that time and that he had no prior experience.

After gaining admission into the Department of Corrections, the Sgt. warned that all is not over. In fact, this is where the real challenge begun. First of all, he had to maintain his level of physical fitness because any sloppiness in the job could result in a very big repercussion. Additionally, the officer was challenged to lead a clean life because members are subjected to random checks and trials every now and then. On top of these, there was a need to have multitasking abilities since officers are required to make frequent reports of everything that they have done within any given day. The Department of Corrections was a particularly interesting one owing to the fact that one has to come in contact with some dangerous criminals. In certain circumstances, the Sergeant explained dealing with these cases was the most challenging aspect of his career. He added that the situation was particularly tricky owing to the fact that one could not be able to predict another’s reaction within a high stress scenario. In this regard, he asserted that it was indeed difficult for him to handle such situations because if he demonstrated bad judgment, then he would be answerable for it.

The officer also explained that a good memory was an important part of the job within the correctional department because in certain scenarios, he was expected to testify in the court of law. Therefore a police officer has a lot of responsibility in his hands. If anything like a false accusation is made, then chances are that the individual under trail will miss a chance in justice. Additionally, such kind of conduct could put one’s job on the line after it has been established that there are some problems with the testimony given by a police officer.

Being a sergeant also requires a different set of challenges. First of all, one has to be committed to the job because one can get called at any time of the day be it day or night. On top of these, the needs of the unit are always the most important and sometimes, this may come in the way of one’s personal life. In fact, the sergeant asserted that this was one of the most difficult issues that he had to face in his position.

The police officers in general and sergeants in particular have a wide online criminal degree of job incentives such as health insurance for their family members. Also, one enjoys a relatively high level of security within their job positions in this particular Department. However the Sergeant was quick to add that one’s own security was the major issue within this line of work. He claimed that the hardest point for him was when a close associate was knifed twice in the stomach when trying to capture a suspect that had tried evading this respective officer. Sgt Harris had a hard time recovering from that sight because he was there when the events unfolded. At the back of his mind, he knew that the same thing could happen to him as well. However, he claims that no such thing has happened in subsequent periods.

The sergeant also explained that pressure levels in such a line of duty were extremely high. He asserted that one had to be on their toes most of the time because one could never be sure when or where their services were required. In fact, he claimed that the most important quality within his line of work was having multitasking abilities. One had to be able to respond to another call from their associates, supervise other individuals while at the same time review performance records and job ratings.

Summary of Degree Requirements:

Criminal Justice (and supporting courses): 57

General Academic Requirements (including Core): 52

English 15

History 6

Political Science 6

Laboratory Science 8

Economics 3

Mathematics 3

Visual and Performing Arts 3

Computer Science 3

Oral Communication 3

Wellness 2

Electives: 15

Criminal Justice Major: 57

CJUS 2100, Crime and Justice in the United States 3

CJUS 3201, Criminal Law 3

CJUS 3300, Police Systems 3

CJUS 3400, Correctional Systems 3

CJUS 3600, Criminology 3

CJUS 3700, Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice 3

CJUS 4200, Criminal Procedure 3

CJUS 4500, Administration of Criminal Justice Agencies 3

CJUS 4901, Senior Seminar: Criminal Justice and Public Policy 3

Criminal Justice Electives 18

PSYC 1630, General Psychology I 3

SOCI 1510, Individuals in Society 3

PADM 2100, Diversity in Urban Governance 3

SOCI 4870, Research Methods and Practice 3

There are many online universities that offer online criminal justice and criminal psychology degree programs and they are all over the internet. It is very important that you enroll in a reputable, accredited online university such as Wilson State University. WSU is nationally and internationally, recognized and also accredited by the World Higher Educational Association Services (WHeAS). WSU educational documents can be verified 24/7, from any where around the globe. when a working adult requires such verification, our management sends the required educational documents to his/her employer (s) through postal mail, FAX, or e-mail. If an employer requires verification come directly from the university, our education verification personnel, on your request we will provide that service.

Many individuals are drawn to considering law enforcement or criminal justice as career choices. Next to psychology, most people today consider a profession in law to be one that’s desirable and that offers strong job security. Colleges and campuses offering instruction in criminal justice are easy to find, but choosing to train for a criminal justice degree online may be the smarter choice, taking into consideration our technological world and its increasing need to crack down on virtual law enforcement. Receiving training in the very environment that many individuals will end up actually working in can boost appeal for prospective employers. What’s more, the personal requirements needed to obtain an online degree including determination, dedication and the will to achieve, are desirable ones for criminal justice areas, portraying to potential employers an individual serious about his or her career.

An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can open the door to many positions in the field, such as courtroom administrator, police officer, private security officer, probation or parole officer, juvenile delinquency case manager, corrections officer, or police detective. Even the very jobs that one would think need on-site training at campuses can be a possibility via online education. Colleges can provide a solid start in enforcement positions and once an individual has completed their criminal justice degree online, he or she can certainly move on to more in-depth training to narrow down the career of their choice and receive more pertinent, specific skills. Students wanting to increase their credentials can pursue a Master’s degree, which certainly makes any individual a strong contender for positions in the law enforcement industry.

A criminal justice degree can also involve other job options, such as becoming a paralegal or working in computer network security. Many enterprises and corporations look to save costs by hiring the services of paralegals or even employing a paralegal directly and having one on staff at all times. Tasks that were once thought to only involve lawyers are now being delegated more and more to paralegals, and the prospectus for employment options for this occupation is expected to rise as more businesses become savvy and seek to reduce expenses.

For network security considerations, technology and law enforcement meet head on, and skills tailor-made to deal with security breaches and cyber terrorists nearly guarantee job security in a high paying position. Insidious stealth attacks designed to bring companies crashing to their knees require highly skilled individuals with critical training toward valuable database information and protect businesses from unwanted infiltration, either by hackers, attackers or viral activity. Cyber security is claimed to be the top priority by 81% of business executives, and salaries are double what other online degrees might provide. The rewards of such a high-tech employment position and the growing demand for professionals makes this field a solid choice with strong job placement opportunities.

Online training is a good option for those individuals who need to work at their own pace or blend employment and family. The convenience of being able to earn college credits towards valuable certification, combined with pertinent instruction that rivals any education directly on site at college campuses, makes studying online an excellent option. Curriculum is offered by colleges that have a fine reputation and are recognized by employers and businesses, as well as large corporations. The business world has moved to embrace and accept technology, and also shown its approval of distance education. A criminal justice degree online is more than enough for individuals to be attractive additions to any enterprise and can provide job security in an age where turnover can be high and solid qualifications are important to professional survival.

At first consideration, you might think a security guard and an attorney don’t have too much in common. But let’s dig a little deeper. There are some similarities in the type of occupation these individuals have chosen.

Of course, not all security guards are created, or paid, equal. While some guards are content to walk the beat and pass the time, there’s another group that take it to a whole new level. These are the degreed security guards. These guards are the cream of the crop, so to speak. They also command a higher paycheck.

And then you’ve got the lawyers. Once again, not all are created equal. Some college graduates, with no better alternative, decide law school is a suitable choice. Meanwhile there’s another group of students who already hold a degree in criminal justice and are well equipped to advance their studies and their careers. They’re starting out with a clear advantage.

Beyond that, what else do they have in common? Increasingly, technology is meeting law enforcement. This means that a number of these professionals have obtained a criminal justice degree online. Available degrees range all the way from associate’s to Master’s. Of course, the level of education a student chooses will have a direct impact on the aspect of the field in which they will work.

It’s not just the lawyers and security guards. Police officers, court clerks, bailiffs, probation officers, paralegals, detectives, drug enforcement agents, juvenile delinquency case managers and corrections officers across the country have successfully obtained their criminal justice degrees online. And once they have completed their programs, they’re finding more opportunities and much bigger paychecks waiting for them.

Consider for a moment the New York City Police Department. When evaluating new applicants, their policy states, “Earning an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree will set you apart from other candidates.” But it’s not just the rookies. Their policy also makes it clear that when considering officers for promotions, that again “…holding a degree will set an officer apart in the testing for promotional positions.”

The job outlook for law enforcement professionals is outstanding. Crime remains a pressing concern as the government and state try to find effective solutions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there will be a 29% rise in demand by the year 2010 for police officers, FBI agents, detectives, and other related positions. The only possible remedy is to keep staffing trained individuals in both the private and public sectors. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. As our needs as a society increase so does the pay rate of law enforcement professionals.

What’s more, many employers will provide tuition assistance or even full reimbursement for a criminal justice degree online. And pursuing this dream won’t take time away from work or family. An online education allows students the convenience of learning when and where they want.

The bottom line is this: a criminal justice degree online makes the most sense for anyone looking to make the world a better place. And that’s whether they are already employed in the industry, and looking to climb up the ladder, or whether they are just setting out to pursue a job in the field.

Acquiring a criminal justice degree online can provide many benefits. For instance, you will have the flexibility of an online degree, you will have access to different degree programs, from associate’s to doctorate degrees, and finally, depending on which degree option you choose, you will be able to better determine your earning power.

 

Obtaining a criminal justice degree online is flexible for many reasons.  First off, online schooling is ideal for people who are working and studying at the same time.  You will be given the luxury to arrange your classes around your work schedule.  Flexibility is especially convenient for working parents who need to rearrange their schedules around their children.  With lowered costs than traditional universities, attaining an online criminal justice degree is extremely resourceful.

 

There are many different degree programs offered for criminal justice and criminology.  For example, if you decide to pursue a two year associate degree, you can focus your studies on careers such as: corrections, law enforcement, paralegal, private security and court reporting.  If you opt to pursue a four year degree, you can obtain a bachelor degree for the following careers: a probation officer, a correctional treatment specialist and a social worker. 

 

Depending on which degree program you choose, your earning power can vary. The four types of degrees students can pursue are: associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate.  Many studies reveal that achieving the next level of a degree results in a higher income.  For example, those who earn a PhD in criminal justice will earn $2.2M more than high school graduates in a lifetime and $900,000 more than holders of master’s degrees.  To start, an individual who has attained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can receive around $900 per week, whereas an employee with only a high school diploma receives $554 per week. 

 

Once you’ve received your degree, you’ll have the ability to enter into a variety of careers ranging from police officers to paralegals. Individuals have the opportunity to pursue many criminal justice careers on a local, state or federal level, varying from a local social worker to a member of the FBI. 

 

Attaining an online criminology degree is not only beneficial because of its flexibility and reduced costs, but because of its expanding options.  With over 100 careers to choose from and several types of certificates and degrees, you will be given the opportunity to expand your career path as well as your salary.

 

For more information regarding obtaining an online degree in criminal justice, or information on the different degree programs, you may find the website freecareerinfo.com very useful.