I want to go into criminal justice but dont want to be a beat cop. What other options are there for me?

Question

- I love science
- I hate math
- Love teaching

Answer 1

You touched on my HEART.

I was a criminal justice major in college and got my degree. I was in training with the Arizona Highway Patrol and that did not work out for me. Too Lonely, too dangerous, and the hours are too long. I did not get into the local police because usually you have to serve two years on graveyard duty or serve two years working in a prison. I did not want either.

Here are other options:

The FBI
The Secret Service
Military Police/ you start as an officer after college
Detective (Juvenile, Victims Unit, Murder, Drug Enforcement)
Go to Law School
Border Patrol (many job opennings right now)
Sherrifs Department/Jails
Prison Guard
Dispatcher (dont need an education for this one)
Private Investigator
Body Guard

After you get some time working in Law enforcement you can teach at a College or head-up cadets in the Police explorers or teach in the Police Academies. But they dont hire here until you get some experience.
The Degree is the main goal. Once you get that like I did you can be more selective on Jobs and get better pay. It is a fun major and I enjoyed it. I did not stay with it because my husband and I went into business. But I always have it to fall back on.
And I can tell you I have used the knowledge I learned to mentor teens.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I am currently enrolled in the criminal justice program at ITT tech,it is a very interesting program,but the best answer to your question is ,you can become anything that has to do with the state,local,and federal government.My advice to you is that if you decide to go into the criminal justice field,pick a career in the federal government it pays more money and the benefits are way better than state and local government jobs.I hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

There is always Law school,criminal psychology, FBI, private investigations. CSI etc.
I had the same thought about being a cop but I did love the process of the investigator. The only way to get a leg in is by way of cop or if you are lucky you could go for fingerprint analyst or Evidence clerk and then work your way up through the ranks that way.

Answer 4

my husband has a BA degree in CJ, from Sam Houston State U in Texas. some things he has done and/or people in his class do etc. Adult Protective Services/Child PS etc. Investigator. Adult or Juvenile Probation. Working as a Case Worker, Program Administrator etc. for the Texas Youth Commission. Working with Texas Dept Criminal Justice Institutional Div in Project RIO (helping offenders get jobs before release). Caseworker in prison for inmates. work for District or County Attorney Office as investigator. work for FBI, ATF, CIA. work at the state level in governmental or departmental level. also u can get a teaching certification 1 additional year in TX, (husband just got) and teach at the Jr high HS level criminal justice. teach at a Youth Facility such as TYC, teach in the prison system. he is now pursuing his masters in CJ, and with that you can go into consulting and working as a warden and etc. depends on what state u are in but there are many things you can do. HTH

Answer 5

Nevada Pokerqueen has some good comments.

In Virginia, at the state's criminal lab - one of the secretaries like listening to the police so much she started doing Ride-Alongs with them. She heard more stories.

Eventually she started writing stories. Became successful at it and stopped being a secretary.

Her name - best selling author Patrica Cornwall. Have you ever thought about....

Answer 6

You could be a professor, a corrections officer, a forensics specialist (paired up with other courses), a defense lawyer (also will need more courses... same thing with judge/magistrate), a parole officer, a mountie (if you're canadian)... I'm not sure what else, best to contact a school and inquire what the course can lead to.

Answer 7

with loving science, math and teaching, you could go into Forensic Science. Don't know how old you are, but look into the FBI, opportunities abound in different areas.

Answer 8

Well, no matter what you choose, you'll probably start out in patrol. Don't let it get to you, its a great experience. You should also consider the Military Police, Corrections, or Private Security Management. Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

Priviate investigator
You could go to law school
Criminal Justice professor
etc.

Answer 10

You have the makings of a great " shark " lawyer!