Many people are under the impression that a criminal justice degree is required to work in law enforcement. This is not necessarily always the case. Here are a couple of examples of instances where a criminal justice degree may not be required.
In agencies such as the FBI or DEA, a bachelor’s degree is required but it can be in any discipline. If you earned a degree in business you will still meet the education requirements for a job in these types of agencies. You would not have to go back to school to earn a degree specifically in criminal justice.
Many police departments will hire high school graduates or individuals who have not yet finished their college degree. Hires often are, however, required to earn a degree by a certain date in order to maintain their position within the department. In Wisconsin, for example, police departments are implementing a rule stating that all new hires have 5 years to meet the educational requirements for their position. Each state has its own rules and time frames, and some states do not yet have education requirements for officers.
Reasons to Earn a Criminal Justice Degree
Although criminal justice degrees are not always required at the time of hire, degrees are required for better pay and better promotions. More and more law enforcement agencies are rewarding those who earn college degrees, or take advanced courses, by providing tuition assistance and pay incentives.
If you have always dreamed of working in criminal justice or are preparing specifically for a criminal justice career, it is a good idea to major in criminal justice or another related field. A degree in Criminal Justice can serve as a strong background for law enforcement and administrative duties in Police Departments, Sheriff’s Offices, State Patrols, or Federal Governments.
