3 answers
Kimberly
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
4
Questions
Updated
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What is it really like to study Criminal Justice?
What are the education requirements to study Criminal Justice? What degrees do I need? And whats the environment like? How hard would it be to be a Criminal Justice enforcement. How many years would it take to study?
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3 answers
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Studying criminal justice is similar to working in law enforcement. It is challenging and rewarding at the same time. The most challenging part of studying criminal justice for me was the culture of law enforcement in the United States. It creates a polarizing classroom environment where emotions run hot. There are a lot of ethical dilemmas and scenarios brought up in class. You'll also frequently be analyzing the worst in human behavior and society. It can be desensitizing at times. But there is no other subject like criminal justice. There is never a dull day, and the subject is constantly evolving.
James, your schooling sounds awesome! If I may ask, where'd you go?
Kim Igleheart
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1738
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Kimberly,
"Criminal Justice" is a very broad field, which area you choose to pursue will dictate your education requirements. There are some police departments that will still hire applicants with no college education, although, they might require you to get it after they hire you. Most require at least a 2 year degree. Dispatcher - not sure. . . . attorneys (prosecutors and criminal defense) - 4 yr degree + 3 years law school; people who do "social work" but might not be classified as social workers - victim's advocates, - 4 yr degree; social workers - 6 yr degree; Teachers who teach in the prisons - 4 yr degree, etc.
If you don't know which way you want to go, I'd recommend a 2 yr degree, which should help you realize what area most appeals to you. If you can get a job with that, and then continue your schooling, there is a strong possibility the employer will provide some tuition assistance. Also not to be overlooked is the US Military. It will instill a strong sense of self-confidence in you. You will need it when dealing with some of these people. Police training also provides it, but, not to the same degree as military experience.
Hope this helps!
Kim
"Criminal Justice" is a very broad field, which area you choose to pursue will dictate your education requirements. There are some police departments that will still hire applicants with no college education, although, they might require you to get it after they hire you. Most require at least a 2 year degree. Dispatcher - not sure. . . . attorneys (prosecutors and criminal defense) - 4 yr degree + 3 years law school; people who do "social work" but might not be classified as social workers - victim's advocates, - 4 yr degree; social workers - 6 yr degree; Teachers who teach in the prisons - 4 yr degree, etc.
If you don't know which way you want to go, I'd recommend a 2 yr degree, which should help you realize what area most appeals to you. If you can get a job with that, and then continue your schooling, there is a strong possibility the employer will provide some tuition assistance. Also not to be overlooked is the US Military. It will instill a strong sense of self-confidence in you. You will need it when dealing with some of these people. Police training also provides it, but, not to the same degree as military experience.
Hope this helps!
Kim
Baljit Gill
Lawyer paralegal
127
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Kimberly,
You can look into the college requirements for criminal justice. If its at post graduate degree i.e a law degree you would need your Bachelors degree first. The environment is pretty fast paced, even more so for criminal justice because of all of the common law cases that you would need to study. But of course it all depends on your professor and their teaching habits. There is a lot of reading to do as the cases are very long. In the class that I took, we needed to know the dissenting decision as well as the actual decision of the case. To work in criminal justice it would take a post graduate degree in the same field as well as the training. It requires references, a lie detector test, physical endurance test as well as a board of legal individuals interviews.
You can look into the college requirements for criminal justice. If its at post graduate degree i.e a law degree you would need your Bachelors degree first. The environment is pretty fast paced, even more so for criminal justice because of all of the common law cases that you would need to study. But of course it all depends on your professor and their teaching habits. There is a lot of reading to do as the cases are very long. In the class that I took, we needed to know the dissenting decision as well as the actual decision of the case. To work in criminal justice it would take a post graduate degree in the same field as well as the training. It requires references, a lie detector test, physical endurance test as well as a board of legal individuals interviews.