Wondering what you can do with a criminal justice degree? From policy roles to leadership in law enforcement, explore high-demand careers and how a master’s in criminal justice can advance your future in public safety and beyond.
Why Consider a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
Why should you pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice? Earning a master’s degree in criminal justice can create career opportunities in the private and public sector, ultimately leading to safer communities and support for the rule of law.
High-Demand Jobs You Can Get with a Criminal Justice Master’s
What can you do with a criminal justice degree? Graduates can pursue a number of career paths with a master’s in criminal justice, and many of these careers are in high demand. Top options include the following:
Probation or Parole Officer Supervisor1
Probation and parole officers assess the progress of offenders who are on probation or have been released from correctional facilities on parole. Supervisors can benefit from a master’s in criminal justice and manage lower-level officers, hire and train new staff, and review parolee assessments that are completed by parole officers.2 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists is expected to grow by more than 3,000 jobs between 2023 and 2033.
Criminal Policy Analyst3
A criminal policy analyst conducts research and contributes to policy briefs, for either a governmental or non-governmental organization (NGO) on topics such as prison regulations, policing practices, and criminal prosecutions. A master’s degree in criminal justice can help potential policy analysts learn the background and history of criminal justice policy as well as the analytical skills necessary to pursue this type of career.
Victim Advocate Program Director4
A victim advocate program director oversees programs designed to support victims of crimes by assisting with victim impact statements, recovering restitution funds, and accessing mental health services. Victim advocate program directors may be available as part of a local government program or at an NGO. Program directors will manage employees as well as develop and implement policies and procedures within their programs.
Federal Agency Leadership Positions
Federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may require a master’s degree or higher to pursue leadership positions. Leaders in federal agencies can help shape federal policy as well as influence the hiring and training of agents. The government is in need of qualified leaders,5 although exact demand numbers are not publicly available.
Is a criminal justice master’s worth it? Dedicated students who want to jump start new careers or further their current opportunities in the criminal justice field enjoy the support of dedicated and experienced faculty and can develop a strong foundation for long-term careers, making the investment of time and resources well worth it in the end.
Criminal Justice Jobs in the Public Sector vs. the Private Sector
Both prospective master’s degree students and undergraduates may wonder which jobs they can get with a criminal justice degree. A criminal justice degree does not limit a graduate’s career opportunities to only law enforcement or government positions. Both public and private sector jobs are available to criminal justice graduates.
In the public sector, most criminal justice graduates go on to work in areas related to law enforcement and the court system, such as roles as victim advocates or parole officers.
In the private sector,6 criminal justice graduates often pursue careers with private security firms, NGOs, non-profit advocacy organizations, and private investigation firms.
Employment Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates
Clearly, a range of jobs are available with a criminal justice degree, but each career path has its own demand and long-term outlook. In law enforcement, for example, according to the BLS,7 demand for police officers and detectives is expected to grow by 4% between 2023 and 2033, which is about average for all jobs. Similarly, the demand for private detectives and investigators is expected to grow by 5% over the same period.
The demand for victim advocates, which falls under the BLS category of Social and Human Service Assistants,8 is expected to grow by 8% between 2023 and 2033, which means significant demand for these types of service roles.
It is more difficult to measure the overall demand for leadership positions within law enforcement or federal agencies, although it’s logical that training and investing in new leaders should be a priority in the coming years. Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice can prepare graduates to take on some of these rewarding roles, depending on where they are prepared to start and how far they want to go.
How the Master of Criminal Justice Program at Sage Prepares You for These Roles
At Russell Sage College, the Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections is an online degree program that focuses on the development, operation, leadership, and evaluation of alternatives to incarceration. The Master of Criminal Justice Program at Sage prepares graduates to be advocates for safer communities and a more just society while working within the confines of the current criminal justice system.
How is Sage shifting to community corrections in criminal justice? Sage is shifting the conversation with its first-of-its-kind program that puts the focus on community corrections, such as reentry and reintegration programs, pre-trial diversion programs, and community supervision like probation as opposed to institutional corrections.
With a deep understanding of U.S. law, criminal behavior, forensic mental health, and restorative justice, Sage graduates bring valuable insight to a wide range of roles in the criminal justice field.
Ready to Advance Your Career in Criminal Justice?
If you’re ready to advance your career in criminal justice, Sage is the perfect place for you. The Master of Criminal Justice and Community Corrections can help launch a new career or open doors to more leadership positions. Request more information or start your application today.
FAQs
Does a master’s degree in criminal justice lead to higher earning potential?
Generally speaking, a master’s degree in criminal justice leads to higher earning potential. For instance, a leadership role at a law enforcement agency that requires a graduate degree is likely to offer a higher salary than a lower-level position that does not have the same educational requirements. However, employment for criminal justice degrees varies quite a bit with a broad range of salaries within the field. In particular, you can expect to see big differences between public and private sector salaries and benefits.
What is the difference between criminology and criminal justice at the graduate level?9
At the graduate level, criminology is focused on the reason crimes occur, from criminal behavior and psychology to social and economic factors that influence crime rates. On the other hand, criminal justice looks at the application of the law and its enforcement, from arrest and prosecution to corrections. The differences between the fields of criminology and criminal justice persist through undergraduate and graduate level programs.
Do graduate students typically complete a thesis or capstone project? 10
Graduate students in the Sage MS in Criminal Justice program complete a culminating project based on the background and interests of the student. Projects must be approved by faculty and integrate knowledge and skills learned over the course of the master’s program.
How do graduate internships in criminal justice differ from undergraduate internships?
At Sage, criminal justice master’s students can complete externships with local agencies based on their interests. Externships are typically shorter and more observational than internships but are also more tailored to specific career goals. Graduate level externships at Sage include at least 240 hours of supervised work as well as related course assignments and discussions.
Undergraduate internships for criminal justice programs are more useful in helping students determine where they might like to pursue specializations, offering exposure to different departments and roles over the course of the internship.
