Get Your Degree in Criminal Justice

If you want a career in criminal justice/law enforcement, you have nationwide employment options. Local and state level law enforcement careers include some of the following.

• Uniformed Police Officers
• Sheriff and Deputy
• State Troopers
• Fish and Game Wardens

However, you'll have to meet the challenges of your career choice. In addition to fulfilling the civil service requirements, you'll also need training. Although you'll get on-the-job training at a police academy, most agencies require college--online or campus-based--coursework and even degrees in criminal justice. Certificates, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees prepare you for different careers and levels of responsibility. Military experience is valuable as well.

Competition for federal jobs is the strongest and many require advanced college degrees. Some of the federal criminal justice careers include the following:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA)
• U.S. Marshals
• Homeland Security (Several agencies)

Would-be FBI agents need college degrees, professional work experience, and must meet other criteria as well. If you measure up, you'll receive additional training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

It is important to know that online degrees are available at all levels of study. The benefit of studying online is that you can maintain your current work schedule while you are taking classes.