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Associates Degrees in Criminal Justice Tips
Careers With An Associates Degree In Criminal Justice
The term "criminal justice" has now become a very broad term for a variety of specialized career interests. There are associates degrees in criminal justice, crime scene technology, and terrorism/security management.
Note, that if you decide to embark on an associates degree program (rather than a bachelor's, master's or PhD program) that your job options may be more limited to state and local jobs. While this sound inhibiting at first, these types of jobs often offer excellent benefits packages, as well as ample vacation time and opportunity for educational advancement at no additional charge to you.
The recommendation is that since you have a great wealth of curriculum focus options that you make a list of what draws you to the field of criminal justice, complete further research on the specific tasks associated with each emphasis, and make an educated decision on what tasks, time-schedule and level of commitment are most amenable to your lifestyle and needs. Weigh the pros and cons. Consider your monetary and familial duties. Consider your energy level and desire for commitment. After you have a more detailed picture of your needs, you can look further into areas of special interest within the field.
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Education Connection Tip: What Is An Associates Degrees in Criminal Justice?
Education Connection Tip: An associates degree in criminal justice usually takes about two years to complete. It is common for people to obtain an associates degree from a local, community college. Currently, the most popular way to obtain this type of degree is through online universities.
If you are interested in working in the criminal justice field it is suggested that you consider what type of work you are interested in prior to determining whether or not an associates degree is appropriate for you.
Common jobs for recent graduates with an online associates degree in criminal justice are corrections officer, security officer and some lower level jobs in the field of social work (social work is a very broad term, but in order to practice this work at a higher level, you would need to obtain a masters degree). The type of job you would find with this degree would be more of an entry -level position.
That being said, however, this field of criminal justice is rapidly growing, especially with the emphasis on homeland security in recent years. While you may not be the head of the company when you first begin your job with an associates degree, it is a quicker, less expensive way to get into the field. Once you get into the field, there is always room for advancement. And many state and federal agencies where people practice criminal justice work will pay for their employees to go back later and get higher-ed degrees.
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Terrorism and Increased Security Jobs
If you are interested in obtaining an associate's degree in criminal justice, now is an excellent time to do so. Despite all the other recommendations regarding biding your time and putting forth the footwork, the job market is currently wide open in this field, and seeking increasing numbers of support people. The need is so great and the time commitment necessary to achieve higher-level degrees so consuming, that agencies are being forced to higher employees with less experience. In fact, many retired military personnel are being called back to service (at an extremely high salary requirement) to fill these needs. It is very possible that in order to avoid paying such extreme salaries for retired personnel with more experience, the option to hire someone with a new degree and less experience would be appealing.
While it is unfortunate that our country is struggling so intensely with issues surrounding war, terrorism and foreign relations, this does mean job opportunities for people with degrees in criminal justice. Since the job need is vastly increasing, this is a good time to try and get a higher level position with an associates degree (which will save time and money overall).
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Education Connection Tip: Online Degree In Criminal Justice
Education Connection Tip: Online degree programs are rapidly becoming the preferred way to earn an education. Where once online programs may have been thought of as "less than" or not as adequate as attending school in a building, this is no longer the case. Research information regarding online associates degrees in criminal justice through various course programs. It is suggested that you begin with this as a resource and then broaden your "investigation" to libraries, people who already work in the field and other criminal justice/career related sites.
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Juvenile Justice Jobs
One of the areas in the criminal justice system with increased need and fewer educational programs is in the field of juvenile justice. Many people often think of social workers, psychologists and DCFS workers when they think of juvenile justice, but there are opportunities for those with an associates degree in the field as well.
While juvenile justice is certainly an admirable career venture, it is recommended that you really examine your motives prior to entering work with juvenile delinquents. While these adolescents and teenagers have a lot to offer if given the right set of treatment, boundaries and circumstances, it is very difficult to experience what is is like to see such youthful appearance tempered by a great deal of anger, abuse and violence. This field is not recommended for people who have not either worked with troubled teens/young adults or who have not done an ample amount of research on the difficulty in making lont-term changes when faced with juveniles who have been harshly treated, or neglected and responded to this in anti-social ways.
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Education Connection Tip: Local Level Jobs In Criminal Justice:
Education Connection Tip: Local level jobs are going to be available to you prior to obtaining any experience. Jobs such as being a park police officer, a county police officer or working for the sheriff's office are common with this type of degree program (at least early on).
Some people think of the term "criminal justice" and fantasize about an exotic life that will lead to saving people and going undercover in foreign countries. While this reality may be true for a select few FBI or CIA agents, this wildly romantic experience is not the reality for anyone in a new, and entry-level position.
It is suggested that prior to even embarking on your criminal justice associate degree online you make an appointment with a local police station (or officer) or that you meet up with a park police officer and explain your situation and interests. If you let the person know that you respect what they do and want to make sure that you are entering the field for the right reasons, they will most likely be open to speaking with you further about the realities (both positive and negative) about this type of entry-level position.
It is also recommended that you speak with at least two people (more if possible), because we are all subject to burn-out and negative experiences no matter what our job/career focus. It is important to get a breadth of experience/knowledge about what to expect under your belt prior to making a decision that will cost you money, time and valued energy.
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Associates Degree in Criminal Justice: More Areas of Specialty
It would be impossible to list in a few tips the broad spectrum of career opportunities and specialties within the field of criminal justice. Associate's degree programs offer a wide variety of special interest or curriculum focused options. Some areas to consider, which haven't already been outlined above are:
criminal justice administration
paralegal studies
forensics
homeland security
legal administrative assistant (secretary)
Jobs in the area of law can be fulfilling, offer great benefits and not involve some of the "dramatic" or even traumatic things you may experience or witness if you choose to have a more hands-on emphasis. That being said, however, those areas of focus may not provide you with the excitement and intensity you may be seeking by obtaining a degree in criminal justice.
As with all degree/career pursuits it is highly suggested that you really research what you are getting yourself into prior to making a decision to commit your time and money (and life) to this endeavor.
Go to the library and read about your options
Talk to the career counselors at the school that interests you
Ask if you can converse with any current or former students with that area of focus (it is very common that students will work with admissions personnel on such matters)
Do some online research
And remember, that every bit of information you receive will be subjective, so that you will ultimately have to really practice self-awareness and examination to make the balanced decision that is right for you.
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Education Connection Tip: State-Level Jobs In Criminal Justice
Education Connection Tip: Another possibility in seeking a job with an online criminal justice associate degree is on the state level. Common areas of focus on the state-level of criminal justice are state police, narcotics bureau, state crime commissioners, and attorney general's office positions.
While these jobs are attainable with an associate's degree in a focused area of criminal justice, they are not always readily available. One of the positive things about working for the state is that they tend to hire internal employees and to provide opportunities for advancement from within. The bad news is that you may have to bide your time prior to getting a job.
If you are certain that your ultimate goal in obtaining an associates degree is to work on the state level, here are some tips to abide by:
If possible, while you are in school get a local level job on a part-time basis. This will provide you with experience and connections, as well as recommendations for future applications.
Become connected to the staff/faculty at your institution. While this may seem more difficult with an online degree, it is still possible. You can be proactive in writing to your professor (s), making yourself known and being clear about your talents/interests during the entire process.
If your program offers any internship opportunities, take one in the area of highest interest for you. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about whether or not this focus is right for you.
And finally, be willing to put in the time. Many of us go into degree programs expecting to obtain maximum results prior to doing the footwork upon graduation. The criminal justice field is not the same as some fields (like investment banking, consulting) where you will make tons of money from the get go.
There is potential, however, if you are willing to form relationships, offer the best of what you have in whatever your first job is, and be honest with yourself about your strengths, weaknesses and expectations prior to embarking on your degree program.
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Associates Degree in Criminal Justice: Salary Ranges
While each job is going to vary with an associates degree in criminal justice, it is possible to estimate your opportunities and your needs prior to fronting the money to obtain your degree. The research in all areas of specialty in the field-from paralegal studies to homeland security to correctional officer jobs indicates that the salary range to expect is, on average, from the low 30's to the mid 40's.
It is recommended that you do further research on the specific areas of speciality and their related salary ranges. It is also recommended that you not only consider salary when making a career choice (while this is, of course, a major factor to consider), but benefits, job tasks, working environment, and opportunity for advancement (which includes opportunity for further education and salary increase at no additional cost to you). And remember, that if you decide to look for a job in this field, this is a prime time to negotiate salary ranges, because the need for criminal justice employees is dramatically increasing.
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Associates Degree in Criminal Justice: A Realistic Perspective
Many people get into the field of criminal justice with a desire to help people or society as a whole better themselves. For some, entry into this field comes from a humanitarian desire to "make a difference" or reach out to those in need. While these goals are admirable and certainly attainable on a micro-level, this kind of thinking must be examined prior to entry into any service-oriented profession.
The reality is that the magnitude and depth of unjust experiences and situations all over the country (and world) cannot be alleviated by one person or one career. The good news here is that if you have positive intentions and are seeking to make a difference, it is possible to do so on a one-to-one basis by maintaining a strong level of ethics and job commitment.
If you have a difficult time seeing painful truths about people and society or if you tend to internalize other people's sadness, anger and violent behavior it is recommended that you either talk with a professional or trusted companion prior to entering the field of criminal justice. Join with someone who really knows you and be willing to receive an honest answer about your ability to set and maintain internal boundaries. In searching for any new career, particularly when it comes to the field of human and societal relations it is most important to determine your ability to engage and be successful without losing out on the quality of your own life.
