General Information:

Many criminal justice professions require candidates to possess strong oral and written communication skills and good computer skills. The ability to speak a second language is also desirable.
Develop good listening skills and the ability to work well with a wide range of diverse populations.
Most entry-level positions for criminal justice majors reside with law enforcement and social service organizations.
Be willing to start in an entry-level job in order to prepare for more advanced career opportunities.
Obtain experience through volunteer, practicum, or internship opportunities.
Supplement program of study with courses in business, psychology, anthropology or sociology. Course work related to the hard sciences (biology, chemistry or biochemistry) is preferred for career opportunities in forensics.
Depending upon one’s career goals, earn a master’s degree in disciplines such as criminal justice, forensic science, social work, counseling or business to obtain positions involving therapy, higher levels of administration, forensics or research. Earn the doctorate degree for university teaching positions.
Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest to learn more about opportunities.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in Criminal Justice:

Social Services: Areas & EmployersAreas – Social Services
Corrections
Counseling
Juvenile Justice
Casework
Administration
Probation & Parole
Victim Advocacy
Employers
State and federal correction facilities
County jails
Precinct station houses
Prison camps
Youth correction facilities
Medium-security correction facilities
Voluntary correction facilities
Halfway houses and pre-release programs
Reintegration programs
Alternative schools
Juvenile detention centers
Juvenile group homes
Women’s and family shelters
Domestic violence agencies
Immigration and naturalization services
Other nonprofit organizations
Social Services: StrategiesStrategies
Seek courses or training in topics such as victimology, social problems, diversity issues or grieving. Supplement curriculum with courses in psychology, sociology or social work. Gain experience working with a juvenile population in any capacity (i.e., sports teams, summer camp counselor, parks and recreation programs, and community/religious youth groups). Gain related experience in employment interviewing, social casework, substance abuse and rehabilitation.
Learn to work well with people of diverse backgrounds. Consider learning a second language. Maintain a blemish-free driving and criminal record. Gain firearms and self-defense training. Earn a master’s degree in social work or counseling for therapy positions. Obtain a masters degree in criminal justice or business for upper-level positions in facilities management or administration.
Judiciary and Law: Areas & EmployersAreas – Judiciary and Law
Court Reporting
Legal Assistance
Legal Research
Administration
Employers
Local, state and federal courts
Law firms
Corporate legal departments
Public interest law organizations
Judiciary and Law: StrategiesStrategies
Consider a double major or minor in the social sciences such as psychology, anthropology, sociology or political science. Attend a postsecondary vocational or technical college that offers court reporting or paralegal certification programs.
Obtain a law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Learn to use software packages such as CD-ROM research databases. Develop strong research, computer and writing skills. Maintain a high grade point average to gain admittance to law school. Participate in mock trial groups.
Law Enforcement: Areas & EmployersAreas – Law Enforcement
Patrolling
Investigating
Forensics
Probation
Security
Employers
City/County Government Organizations including: Police departments, Correction facilities, County sheriff departments, Liquor Control Commission
State Government Organizations including: State troopers, Crime labs, Penitentiaries
Federal Government Organizations including: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Department of Homeland Security, Postal Service, Federal Marshals, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Parks Service
Crime laboratories
Colleges and universities
Law Enforcement: StrategiesStrategies
Obtain related training or certifications such as CPR, first aid, or EMT. Complete a formal police academy program upon graduation. Maintain a healthy and physically fit lifestyle. Volunteer to work in a police department or campus safety department. Complete an internship in a crime laboratory to gain experience in the forensic application of science. Obtain a double major in criminal justice and a hard science (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) if interested in a career in forensics. Consider earning a master’s degree in Forensic Science or related discipline. Become familiar with the government application process. Learn a second language.
Business: Areas & EmployersAreas – Business
Private Security
Consulting
Investigating
Systems Integration
Global Intelligence
Private Investigation
Internet Security
Loss and Prevention
Employers
Insurance companies
Banks
Private security companies
Software companies
Hotels and resorts
Health care facilities
Transportation services
Nuclear power plants
Manufacturers
Online companies
Other large corporations
Business: StrategiesStrategies
Minor in business or computer science. Seek practicum/internship experiences that include training in the hardware and software of security systems. Maintain good physical fitness. Develop exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Seek leadership opportunities and develop strong interpersonal skills. Attend firearm safety courses. Obtain first aid and CPR certification. Gain military experience and training. Earn a graduate degree in business or law for upper-level positions.
Education: Areas & EmployersAreas – Education
Teaching
Research
Employers
Colleges and universities
Adult education providers
Public and private high schools
Education: StrategiesStrategies
Earn a graduate degree for post-secondary teaching opportunities. Get a teaching certificate for elementary or secondary education. Gain a dual certification for increased opportunities. Serve as a tutor to other students.
Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Assist a professor with research. Take additional coursework related to research and statistics.