Welcome To The Criminal Justice Career Community!

Here you will find career-related information such as blogs, jobs, resources, courses, and events specific to Criminal Justice topics to help you embrace your career and academic journey. You can explore SNHU’s Online Campus career resources all in one central space! You can search this page to find the information you need to make more meaningful and informed career decisions as you navigate your unique career goals! 

What Can I Do With My Degree? Criminal Justice

Step into the realm of justice and order with a career in criminal justice, where every professional plays a pivotal role in upholding the principles of fairness, security, and societal well-being. As a key player in this dynamic field, you have the power to make a tangible impact on the safety and stability of communities. Whether you are a seasoned expert seeking new challenges or an aspiring individual with a passion for ensuring justice, the criminal justice industry offers a diverse range of opportunities. From law enforcement and legal professions to corrections and security, this field provides a pathway for those dedicated to preserving the rule of law and fostering a secure environment for all. Embrace the responsibility of safeguarding justice and maintaining public order – your journey in the criminal justice industry begins here, where dedication and integrity pave the way for a meaningful and impactful career.

Criminal Justice students often focus on specific career-areas when exploring options, including:

  • Courts 
  • Corrections 
  • Criminology 
  • Law Enforcement 
  • Business 
  • Social / Human Services 
  • Education 

Career Paths To Explore

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • Police Officer: Protect the public and uphold the law in order to uphold justice. Learn More
  • Dispatcher: Work hand in hand with local law enforcement to assess the needs of the public and deploy help. Learn More
  • Game and Wildlife Officer: Manage an area of land and enforce regulation related to local wildlife preservation. Learn More
  • Park Ranger: Enforce laws specific to protected areas of land. Learn More
  • Animal Cruelty Officer: Help bring about justice for animals that cannot stand up for themselves. Learn More

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • Immigration Officers: Investigate applications to enter the country through work visas, asylum, or refugee status. Learn More
  • Border Patrol Officers: Prevent crime, disease, and invasive species from entering the country at borders. Learn More
  • Federal Agents: Investigate large scale problems at the Federal level through a number of government agencies. Learn More
  • TSA Agent: Ensure safe flights domestically and internationally. Learn More
  • Diplomatic Security Agent: Protect international places and people. Learn More

CORRECTIONS:

  • Parole Officer: Ensure that the terms of release are met when offenders finish their time in the penal system. Learn More
  • Bail Enforcement Specialist: Make sure that all dues are paid and track down those who may not be maintaining payment. Learn More
  • Correctional Officer: Oversee those who have been arrested or awaiting trial. Learn More

FRAUD & SECURITY:

  • Fraud Analyst: Identify and track suspicious patterns in financial activities. Learn More
  • Loss Prevention Officer: Ensure strict adherence to laws and regulations in a variety of highly regulated industries. Learn More
  • Diplomatic Couriers: Move classified documents across international borders. Learn More
  • Security Officer: Monitor for suspicious activity that threatens a person or place in need of protection. Learn More
  • Insurance Investigator: Make sure that insurance claims are accurate by examining documents. Learn More

LEGAL:

  • Paralegal: Conduct research, organize files, and assist lawyers through their day to day operations. Learn More
  • Bailiff: Ensure a safe trial by enforcing the law inside of courtrooms. Learn More
  • Court Clerk: Assist judges in smaller court systems; a job perfect for anyone considering law school. Learn More

HUMAN SERVICES:

  • Emergency Management: State and Federal administrative roles support the government’s response to natural and manmade disasters. Learn More
  • Victim Advocate: Be the voice of a child in need by representing them in the criminal justice system. Learn More
  • Nonprofit Administrator: Encourage the community to rally behind criminal justice improvements. Learn More

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • State Trooper: Monitor roadways, patrol for accidents, infractions, and people in need. Learn More  

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • DEA Agent: Combat drug trafficking and use by identifying criminal activity. Learn More

FRAUD & SECURITY:

  • Eligibility Specialist: Investigate the qualifications of candidates receiving public and private benefits. Learn More

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • Special Agent: Work on a more specific crime unit such as narcotics, cyber crime or trafficking. Learn More
  • Detective: Earn your stripes in law enforcement and begin to work on intricate cases. Learn More
  • Supervisor: Oversee activities of other police and patrol officers for a specific region or area. Learn More

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT:

  • Emergency Management Director: Craft master plans to ensure swift action during emergency situations. Learn More
  • Postal Investigator: Assist in identifying criminal activity and patterns in mailing behavior. Learn More
  • Intelligence: Examine information from many sources in order to create a more safe community. Learn More

FRAUD & SECURITY:

  • Compliance Specialist: Ensure strict adherence to laws in a variety of highly regulated industries. Learn More
  • Security Operations Manager: Direct an organization and others towards a safer environment. Learn More
  • Intelligence Analyst: Comb through information to identify evidence of past and future criminal activity. Learn More

Consider Additional Education: Law Degree Resources

SNHU Degrees that match popular areas of Law include: 

Areas/Fields of Law  

It is a great idea to think about the areas of law you are interested in so that you can fill your elective spaces with as much as possible in that area.   

A legal education can open up new and interesting career opportunities. Law schools offer a wide variety of degrees or certificates to match your interests, your goals, and your schedule. 

Animal law is the study and practice of law relating to animals. As an animal rights lawyer, you apply the legal system to speak for animals and their human associates and allies. You might be contesting animal exploiters, defending animal rights activists, and campaigning for the legal status and rights of animals. Animal rights attorneys often work for:  

  • Animal rights organizations  
  • Law firms  

Civil rights law strikes at the balance of governmental power and individual liberties. Although this is a small and competitive field, many lawyers whose main practices are in other fields serve as civil rights lawyers by taking cases on a pro bono (without a charge or a fee) basis. Full-time civil rights attorneys often work for:  

  • Nonprofit organizations  
  • Public interest law firms  
  • Large law firms with diverse practices  

Corporate law focuses on helping clients conduct their business affairs in a manner that is efficient and consistent with the law. The responsibilities of a corporate lawyer range from preparing a business’ initial articles of incorporation to handling a corporate reorganization under the provisions of federal bankruptcy law. Corporate law practice areas include:  

  • Contracts  
  • Intellectual property  
  • Legislative compliance  
  • Liability matters  

Criminal law focuses on the fundamental issues of the law and personal liberties. Lawyers in this field defend many of the basic rights considered crucial to the preservation of a free and just society. There are two main types of criminal law lawyers:  

  • Criminal defense lawyers, who represent clients accused of crimes.  
  • Prosecutors and district attorneys represent the interests of the state in prosecuting those accused of crimes.  

A cyber lawyer is a legal expert who specializes in internet law. They work to prosecute and defend against allegations of fraud using the internet. Their responsibilities include:  

  • Advocating cases related to cybercrimes.  
  • Maintaining the integrity and security of information being communicated between legal authorities.  
  • Advising on implementing strategies to meet legal requirements.  
  • Representing clients before regulatory bodies  
  • Serving as the quarterback and crisis manager during incident response  
  • Providing expert-level advice directly to agents and analysts in support of cyber investigations   

Criminal law focuses on the fundamental issues of the law and personal liberties. Lawyers in this field defend many of the basic rights considered crucial to the preservation of a free and just society. There are two main types of criminal law lawyers:  

  • Criminal defense lawyers, who represent clients accused of crimes.  
  • Prosecutors and district attorneys represent the interests of the state in prosecuting those accused of crimes.  

Education law focuses generally on counseling school districts or other educational agencies. Some education lawyers may represent parents with children with special-education needs or student expulsions against a school district. Education law practice areas include:  

  • Student residency  
  • Governance issues  
  • Personnel issues  
  • Tuition fraud  
  • Student discipline  
  • Special education law  
  • The development of educational policies  

Employment and labor law focuses on addressing the legal rights of workers and their employers. Attorneys in this field might represent an individual employee, a group of employees, job applicants, a union, union employees, government workers, a business, a government agency, or interest groups. Employment and labor law practice areas include:  

  • Wage disputes  
  • Unlawful terminations  
  • Child labor  
  • The right to unionize  
  • Workplace safety  
  • Sexual harassment  
  • Race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability discrimination  

Environmental and natural resources law focuses on the legal and regulatory issues relating to natural resources. Environmental and natural resources lawyers may work directly for governmental agencies, public interest groups, or organizations concerned about protecting the environment. Environmental and natural resources law practice areas include:  

  • Air and water quality  
  • Hazardous waste practice  
  • Natural gas transportation  
  • Oil and gas exploration and development  
  • Electric power licensing  
  • Energy trade regulations  
  • Mining  
  • Public land use

Family and juvenile law focuses on the relationships between individuals within the context of family. Many lawyers in this field are members of small firms or practice law on their own. Family and juvenile law practice areas include:  

  • Adoptions  
  • Child support  
  • Domestic abuse  
  • Divorce  
  • Prenuptial agreements

Health law focuses on regulations that impact the health care industry and its patients. Health law lawyers can represent hospitals, physician groups, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), individual doctors, universities, and many others. Health law practice areas include:  

  • Medicare policy and compliance  
  • Public health policy  
  • Biomedicine and telemedicine  
  • Mergers and acquisitions  
  • Risk management  
  • Bioethics and clinical ethics

Immigration law focuses on the legal issues and policies relating to immigrants who come to the United States on a temporary or permanent basis. An immigration lawyer may work for the government, a law firm, a community-based organization, or in-house for a company employing immigrants. Immigration law practice areas include:  

  • Asylum/refugee law  
  • Business immigration law  
  • Criminal and deportation defense  

Intellectual property law focuses on the protection of discoveries, creations, and identifying marks for inventors, authors, and businesses. Intellectual property lawyers usually specialize in a specific practice area, which include:  

  • Patent law  
  • Copyright law  
  • International trade negotiations  

International law focuses on the legal implications of increased travel across borders for business, tourism, and permanent residence. Fluency in other languages or familiarity with other cultures can be an advantage for law school graduates who want to practice in the international arena. There are two main types of international law:  

  • Public international law, which works with national governments, international institutions, or public interest groups  
  • Private international law, which provides extensive opportunities with law firms, corporations, banks, or telecommunications firms

Municipal law is the law specific to a particular city or county (known legally as a “municipality”), and the government bodies within those cities or counties. This can cover a wide range of issues, including police power, zoning, education policies, and property taxes. Most attorneys who handle municipal law cases are hired by the municipalities themselves. Related practice areas include:  

  • Land use law  
  • Real estate–property taxes, zoning  
  • Small business law

Real estate law focuses on issues relating to land. Some real estate lawyers focus on litigation issues while others focus on contractual issues around land and property. Real estate law practice areas include:  

  • Land and building ownership  
  • Rights to possess and use land or buildings  
  • Sale and purchase of real property  
  • Landlord-tenant issues  
  • Development of real property  
  • Compliance with local, state, or national regulations

Securities law focuses on the formation, organization, and financing of corporations. This is a complex area of law that almost always requires the services of a specialist. Securities law practice areas include:  

  • Stocks  
  • Mergers  
  • Acquisitions  
  • Corporate takeovers 

Sports law focuses on the legal aspects of both amateur and professional sports. At the amateur level, sports lawyers work with athletes, donors, colleges, and universities. At the professional level, sports lawyers serve as agents to individual players or represent team owners. Sports law practice areas include:  

  • Contract and antitrust issues  
  • Title IX compliance  
  • Entertainment law focuses on assisting clients with employment law issues and contract negotiations and disputes. 

Entertainment law practice areas include:  

  • Employment law  
  • Intellectual property law  
  • Compensation/royalties disputes

Tax law focuses on the regulations set in place by the federal Internal Revenue Code. Tax law constantly changes and lawyers in this field are challenged to stay current with each new development. Tax law practice areas include:  

  • Income taxes  
  • Capital gains taxes  
  • Tax evasion  

Trust and estate lawyers help clients plan for the transfer of assets to beneficiaries, such as spouses, family members, or charities. They can also help clients achieve personal goals and reduce taxes through proper planning.    

Trust and estate lawyers can:  

  • Help clients create legal documents and strategies to manage assets  
  • Plan for inheritance  
  • Minimize taxes after death  
  • Help clients resolve disputes involving estates  
  • Provide advice to beneficiaries and estate trustees  
  • Help clients transfer property efficiently to beneficiaries  
  • Help lower estate, gift, generation-skipping, and income taxes  
  • Help clients avoid probate, the legal process by which a deceased person’s estate is appraised and administered after death  

Explore Careers By Major

What Can I Do With This Major? features 100 major profiles with information on common jobs and career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities. Scroll to the bottom of each profile for links to professional associations, occupational outlook information, and job search resources.

Sidebar

Career Resources

Criminal justice students can pursue multiple paths after graduation. This guide explores jobs you can get with a criminal justice …

The best way to get a start on the path to where you want to be is to take on …

LinkedIn Learning

GDPR Compliance: Essential Training

Taught by Mandy Huth
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a privacy-related regulation in the EU that became active and enforceable in May…

Building Trustworthy AI Systems: Transparency, Explainability, and Control with ISO/IEC TR 24028

Taught by Lyron Andrews
As the global regulatory and legal environments work to catch up to the rapidly changing and evolving world of AI,…

CIPP/US Cert Prep: 5 State Privacy Laws

Taught by Mike Chapple
In the world of privacy, the federal and state governments of the United States have overlapping authority. As a privacy…

CIPP/US Cert Prep: 3 Government and Court Access to Information

Taught by Mike Chapple
The United States restricts government and court access to private sector information. These regulations protect citizens from unfair prosecution and…

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Essential Training (2020)

Taught by Mandy Huth
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is the first major privacy act to come out of the United States. Instructor…

Tech Ethics: Avoiding Unintended Consequences

Taught by Raina Kumra
Both users and creators of technology are starting to notice projects with a troubling lack of ethical considerations. News headlines…

Business Ethics

Taught by Bob McGannon
Ethical behavior is critical to the success of your career and your company. But ethics are not always black and…

Leadership Ethics

Taught by Bob McGannon
Today’s headlines are rife with stories of corporate corruption. These incidents are often pinned on the decision-makers at the top—and…

The State of AI and Copyright

Taught by Garrick Chow
The issue of copyright in AI-generated content is a moving target, but clear patterns are emerging. In this conversation, LinkedIn…

Protecting Yourself as a Content Creator

Taught by Shontavia Johnson
Protect yourself and your online content by understanding how copyright law applies to the world of social media and Creator…

Influence versus Manipulation: The Ethics of Persuasion

Taught by Madecraft
Success in business depends on being able to get your viewpoint heard and your ideas taken seriously. So how do…

Copyright for Photographers

Taught by Carolyn E. Wright
The intersection of photography and law is a complex place. At one of those crossroads lies copyright. Many photographers aren’t…

Tech on the Go: Ethics in Cybersecurity

Taught by Jerod Brennen
Never before has there been so much power available literally at your fingertips—from a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. That’s…

The Data Science of Government and Political Science, with Barton Poulson

Taught by Barton Poulson
Are you interested in enhancing your understanding of how government and politics actually function? If so, this brief course can…

Business Law for Managers

Taught by Jo-Ná Williams
Did you know that you have legal responsibilities as a manager? Even if you work with a corporation, you can…

The Data Science of Nonprofit Service Organizations, with Barton Poulson

Taught by Barton Poulson
Learn how to use data science to do good. Data science can be a huge help to nonprofits that are…

Copyright for Creatives: Protecting Your Work

Taught by Von Glitschka
Many creative people are familiar with the frustrating experience of discovering that their work is being used online without their…

Business Ethics for Sales Professionals

Taught by Dean Karrel
Regardless of your profession, the subject of ethics is an important one to review. That said, it’s particularly critical for…

Recruiting Veterans

Taught by Lida Citroën
With roughly 200,000 men and women transitioning out of the military each year, veterans are a rich source of talent…

Music Law: Copyrighting a Song

Taught by Richard Stim
Registering a copyright to a song is not the easiest process, but it’s helpful for songwriters. It preserves your legal…

Career Service Hours

Monday 8:00 am- 8:00 pm ET
Tuesday 8:00 am- 8:00 pm ET
Wednesday 8:00 am- 8:00 pm ET
Thursday 8:00 am- 8:00 pm ET
Friday 8:00 am- 7:30 pm ET