Careers with a PhD in Criminal Justice
Doctorate degrees in criminal justice encompass a wide variety of career paths. Usually those who wish to pursue a PhD in criminal justice are interested in expanding their understanding of criminal behavior and how to deal with it. Some areas that PhD programs focus on are prevention, intervention, effective consequences, and public policy development, all pertaining to criminal justice cases. A PhD in criminal justice is not a small undertaking. While these are not all the areas that PhD programs focus on, it’s a good example of some of the typical areas people focus on.
With a PhD in Criminal Justice, you can get almost any job you desire. You could start a career in law enforcement, federal law enforcement, correctional positions, forensic science or SCI, legal or court positions, private security and contractor positions. A PhD is required for many advanced level positions that typically do not require field work. In terms of staying safe and off the beat, it’s the best way to go. Since the field of criminal justice has such a wide range of jobs that can be explored, let’s take a look at some of the routes typically explored by those with a PhD.
Most Popular Careers with a PhD in Criminal Justice
The most popular option for those who acquire their PhD in criminal justice is to work in high-level academic or research positions. This is because much of the work to be done in criminal justice is based on researching effective methods for improving the different parameters within the justice system, ranging from police ethics to prison sentences, as well as much more. Some work in expert consulting firms or public policy groups as well.
In order to teach within a university department you need your PhD. With your PhD in criminal justice you will be an expert in your field and you’ll be capable of teaching others about your field. You can teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Additionally, by being a professor you can contribute to research in criminal justice, and even do a combination of both teaching and research.
Working in Criminal Justice
If becoming a professor doesn’t seem appealing, there are many other job options available for those with a PhD in criminal justice. Those with PhD’s make significant contributions in a wide variety of criminal justice-related organizations. It’s important to explore the different jobs within criminal justice. Those with degrees in criminal justice also focus on becoming a part of the CIA and FBI, among other fields such as the secret service and more. When considering careers in the field, just remember all the available options.
Salaries for Criminal Justice Careers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the salary for criminal justice graduates who become postsecondary teachers is a mean average of $65,690 annually.
The top paying industries for professors of criminal justice are as follows:
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $65,830
- Junior Colleges: $65,760
- Business Schools and Computer and Management Training: $59,630
- Technical and Trade Schools: $57,150
