Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice Online - Job Outlook

Many Career Opportunities for Criminal Justice Graduates
The field of criminal justice provides a wide range of career opportunities across many sectors, including private and government agencies.⁽¹⁾ What can you do with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice? You may choose to maintain order in correctional facilities, provide investigative and/or security services, or help prevent and/or solve crimes. There are many career possibilities and they all have one thing in common - you have a chance to make a difference!



Faster than Average Job Growth in Criminal Justice Careers
With a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice, you may qualify for positions such as private detective, investigator, law enforcement officer, or Federal/State corrections officer. Some of these positions are experiencing faster than average job growth. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), employment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 18 percent over the 2006-2016 decade, faster than the average for all occupations. In 2006, 34 percent of detectives and investigators held a bachelor’s degree, even though it was not required.⁽²⁾
 
Private Detective Career Information
As the BLS reports, increased demand for private detectives and investigators will result from heightened security concerns, increased litigation, and the need to protect confidential information and property of all kinds. The proliferation of criminal activity on the Internet, such as identity theft, spamming, e-mail harassment, and illegal downloading of copyrighted materials, is expected to increase the demand for private investigators.⁽²⁾

Correctional Officer Job Outlook
Employment of correctional officers is expected to grow 16 percent between 2006 and 2016, faster than the average for all occupations (according to the BLS).⁽³⁾ The reasons for this increasing demand for correctional officers, as it states in the BLS, stems from population growth and rising rates of incarceration.⁽²⁾

Security Guard Career Opportunities
Another career opportunity in criminal justice with potential for employment growth is security. According to the BLS, employment of security guards is expected to grow by 17 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. What is contributing to growth in this area? The BLS states that “concern about crime, vandalism, and terrorism continues to increase the need for security.”⁽⁴⁾ Opportunities to work in security may exist with investigation and security services, as well as educational services, hospitals, retail, and government.⁽⁴⁾  

Law Enforcement Job Prospects
The BLS also reports that employment of police and law enforcement officers, as well as detectives, is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-2016 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations.⁽⁵⁾ It cites “a more security-conscious society and population growth will contribute to the increasing demand for police services.”⁽⁵⁾

With a faster than average job growth, and a convenient online learning format that fits your busy life, now may be the right time to pursue a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice.