What Can You Do With A Criminal Justice Degree?

Some criminal justice jobs only need an associate’s degree or a bachelor's degree, while others require a master's degree. Below, we included some career options — from entry-level to senior — that you can qualify for with different criminal justice degrees, depending on the level that aligns with your ambitions. We also included salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Victim advocates help others who are experiencing hardship, such as those who have been the victims of crime, live in difficult situations, or undergoing rehabilitation. Social and Human Services Assistants are victim advocates who tend to work for non-profit organizations, social service agencies, and the state/local government. There are approximately 59,100 job openings each year through 2030.

Police officers work within communities to prevent and solve crimes. They are often assigned to patrol a specific area and may eventually be promoted to a detective position. This career path would allow you to interact with the community and ensure the safety of its citizens. Over the next decade, 67,100 job openings for police officers are projected each year.

Insurance investigators look into claims that may be fraudulent. These claims could be made by individuals or larger corporations committing crimes on a broader scale. This field deals with a lot of data, testimonies, and in-person inspections. Unfortunately, the job outlook for this position is significantly lower than the U.S. average of 8%, with only 25,200 jobs projected to open annually through 2030.

Paralegals work with lawyers to help their cases run smoothly. Most Paralegals do research, draft legal documents, and file documentation with the courts. This job fits those who like researching the law and supporting lawyers throughout their cases. Overall, approximately 43,000 jobs will become available on an annual basis through 2030.

Information security analysts — also known as cybersecurity investigators — can work in the criminal justice system as well as the private sector. This field requires an interest in technology and cyber security. Investigators that work with law enforcement or lawyers analyze technology to find flaws that can be fixed, evidence that can be used in the court system, and signs of fraud. In terms of the role's job outlook, there will be about 16,300 job openings each year through 2030.

Forensic science technicians analyze evidence and data that they help collect by visiting crime scenes and taking pictures. Then they perform chemical and microscopic tests in their lab. This field requires a sharp eye, good memory, and a general interest in science. Overall, there will be about 2,500 job openings each year through 2030.

Social workers are an integral part of the criminal justice system. They can work in a variety of settings, such as child welfare, human service agencies, healthcare, and schools. This field could be a good fit for those interested in working directly with those in need, and it's experiencing above-average job growth, with about 78,300 job openings each year through 2030.

Although counselors usually have a bachelor’s degree in fields such as psychology or sociology, a degree in criminal justice could set you apart. These counselors can work in schools, rehabilitation centers, prisons, or private practices. Becoming a counselor has the potential to be rewarding for those who want to provide prevention and support services, and the field is growing, with 41,000 new jobs opening each year until the end of the decade.

Sociologists work with data to understand the way individuals and groups of people interact, behave, and function on a global level. They prepare reports, analyze data, and research the potential impact of new laws and regulations. Often, sociologists may specialize in a specific area, such as education, health, poverty, and racial relations. Through 2030, the job outlook is lower than average, with about 300 annual job openings.

Forensic anthropologists use science to help law enforcement identify remains, determine cause of death, or conduct research to advance the criminal justice system’s ability to solve crimes. They may work closely with local departments after a large natural disaster or survey a crime scene to determine when a crime took place. After earning their master’s degree, prospective forensic anthropologists need to be certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropologists. Roughly 800 job openings are projected through 2030.

Survey researchers often work with sociologists and other criminal justice experts to develop surveys and research methods. They analyze data they gather and synthesize the information into reports. Unlike sociologists and psychologists, however, survey researchers focus on the methodology of the surveys by evaluating them and working to improve their performance. Approximately 1,200 jobs are expected to open up each year through 2030.