Criminal Justice & Legal

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Criminal Justice and Legal Degree Curriculum

Most criminal justice and legal degree curriculums are relatively similar. They are composed of a general education section and a larger section devoted to the student's major. The general education piece takes about 1/3 of the curriculum and provides students with a well-rounded course load across different subjects. These subjects include mathematics, history, English, and science. The rest of the curriculum will be geared towards the student's major. Most courses involve significant amounts of writing essays. One curriculum that is significantly different, however, is a law degree.

A law degree curriculum is quite different from that of other majors since it is highly specialized. Students spend a majority of their time reading cases and writing briefs (summaries of the case) on them. Many obtain positions as law clerks to gain some experience in the field while studying.

What Levels of Education are Available for a Criminal Justice and Legal Degree?

A criminal justice and legal degree is offered at all levels. An associate's degree in the criminal justice field takes about two years to complete. It is mostly a general education program which gives an overview of criminal justice. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice or legal  provides more than an overview of the field and goes into specifics regarding the student's topic of study. Those wishing to advance in their careers can obtain master's degrees or doctorate degrees. Students who are trying to become lawyers must obtain a juris doctorate (JD).

Skills Learned in a Criminal Justice and Legal Degree Program

Criminal justice and legal degree programs teach students the following skills:

• Ability to use logic and reasoning to solve a number of differentiated problems
• Critical thinking skills that can be applied to many other disciplines
• Ability to analyze situations and determine the various factors affecting them
• Variety of knowledge including history, English, and mathematics through liberal arts classes
• Understanding of the foundations behind our justice system, how it came to be and where it is headed
• All aspects of the law from family issues to corporate governance

Where Can I Get a Criminal Justice and Legal Degree?

Criminal justice and legal degrees are offered at a variety of locations. They can be earned at any university with an accredited criminal justice and legal program. Those who do not want to attend a brick and mortar school can earn their criminal justice and legal degrees online through various online universities.

Possible Careers for Criminal Justice and Legal Degree Holders

Graduates of criminal justice and legal degree programs can become a number of different professions. The law enforcement field is a viable option as graduates can become police officers, correctional officers, FBI agents, among others. Graduates may find work in government creating policy or running for elected office. Those who obtain a law degree can become lawyers, while less advanced degree holders may become paralegals or clerks.