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Benefits of a Criminal Justice Degree

Many support the idea that a solid education is vital for one to succeed in any career. The field of criminal justice has a wide range of professions, which raises the question of what level of education is required to get into the field and go up the career ladder. Many careers in the field of criminal justice only require a high school diploma or a GED. To answer the question as to whether a college degree is necessary to succeed in criminal justice, it is only basic to describe success. As mentioned, since many careers in this field do not require a college degree, then success in any of them would render the degree not very important. However, I define success as going up the ladder from a graduate level. So this essay will discuss why a college degree equals success in the field of criminal justice.

For any field and success in every path in life, a college degree is beneficial in various ways. In order to go up the career ladder in the field of criminal justice, advancement in education is also necessary. This means that obtaining a degree before gaining employment will be instrumental to career growth since the next step will be a master’s degree, which is always a basis for most promotions. In comparison to a person that begins with a high school diploma, the one with a college degree will most likely be promoted faster. A college experience is also very beneficial to the achievement of success besides those of having that level of education. Spending time in an academic institution is very crucial to laying the groundwork for future success. There is the aspect of creating contacts with people that will hold certain positions in the same field in the future. The environment created by college enables students to hone and perfect skills that will be instrumental in the field of criminal justice regardless of the exact job. A good example is writing a report, which is a crucial part of any job in criminal justice.

Subjects that are taken through the course of the degree give the graduate an opportunity to develop articulation skills and the ability to defend points of view. Considering the nature of this field, articulation is very important in dealing with people, either the general public or those within a potential chain of command. A career in criminal justice means scrutiny in every single way one conducts themselves or takes action or inaction. In order to succeed in the field then, one should be able to positively deal with criticism and give feedback as to why they have taken this point of action.

The most important college-level class one can take in the field of criminal justice is interpersonal communications. The ability to operate in a field filled with various sorts of personalities can only translate to either failure or success or even in extreme circumstances getting home safely. Tests are a major assessment tool to measure the performance of various criminal justice professionals. These tests also include written ones, which means test-taking in college is essential and applicable in the field.

The field of criminal justice is extensive, with many career opportunities. It can be a point of entry into law studies or send one into the field of politics, advocacy, law enforcement, and academia, to mention a few (TBS). Going into the prestigious and more competitive world of corporate law means a rise in social status. This is because it means huge salaries and a rise in income, which translates to a different level of social class. Also, the field of criminal justice sends one to ethically driven causes such as politics and public policy. Politicians are respected figures in society and hold a high position in society. Within any social class, occupation is essential because it offers financial rewards, stability, and other benefits. With a degree in any field of criminal justice means movement from the lower middle class to upper-middle class, which is made of lawyers to the upper social class, made up of the elite who include corporate lawyers, politicians, and capitalist elite.

A path in the field of criminal justice most often leads to entry into the legal field, with some majors going into law school to become lawyers. A degree in criminal justice is a crucial steppingstone to becoming a lawyer. Many politicians start as lawyers before running for office mostly because of their ability to effectively articulate themselves and their extensive knowledge of the law. In the same manner, investigation groups and think tanks on any political concern or issue have at least one individual with criminal justice expertise, if not a lawyer (Lesley). In addition, the contributory use of criminal justice as a basis of democratic projects has evolved over the eyes, putting criminal justice majors at the center of politics. Criminologists have played a crucial role in political projects and have been influential in shaping the political terrain. This is a demonstration that the field of criminal justice has a direct connection with politics, and getting up the political ladder is easy with a criminal justice basis.

Because of the nature of the field of criminal justice, certain skills and traits are essential to longevity and growth in whatever career pattern affiliated to the field one chooses. Learning does not stop with the degree, which makes continuous learning and development important to achieve success. The changes in technology make it essential for students in law enforcement to create a plan that helps in adapting to a landscape that is under continuous evolution (Malvik). With the hope of moving into a leadership position, higher education is necessary.

Essentially, the course of action, in addition to a bachelor’s degree in order to advance in the field of criminal justice, is to hone certain essential skills. These skills include critical thinking because of the nature of the field, which presents one with high-pressure situations requiring quick reaction. Being able to adjust with speed and calculate the outcome of certain actions is key to accomplishment in this field. The other skill is ethical leadership. The field of criminal justice is filled with critical dilemmas, which calls for the ability to uphold moral principles. Acting in violation of ethical rules may lead to the loss of credibility, job, and in worst cases facing litigation. Verbal and non-verbal communication is another key skill since experts in this field find themselves in circumstances where they are required to make public speeches or conduct briefings, stating the status of a certain case. Non-verbal communication skills apply in reading the body cues presented by another person, be it a criminal or a witness. It would not also be bizarre to want to be physically fit because of safety reasons.

Works Cited

Lesley McAra, Can Criminologists Change the World? Critical Reflections on the Politics, Performance and Effects of Criminal Justice, The British Journal of Criminology, Volume 57, Issue 4, July 2017, Pages 767–788, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azw015Malvik, C. “Experts Explain Everything You Need to Know About Careers in Criminal Justice.” 13 July 2014, www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-careers-in-criminal-justice/.

TBS. “What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice or Law Degree?” TheBestSchools.org, The Best Schools, 17 Sept. 2019, thebestschools.org/degrees/criminal-justice-law-degrees/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2019.