Criminal Justice Department

Career Information

The following is a list of potential career opportunities for individuals who have a degree in Criminal Justice.  This is only a partial list. There are numerous other opportunities available to Criminal Justice majors.

NOTE 1: Some careers require additional graduate study.

NOTE 2: Some criminal justice agencies require specific physical qualifications, e.g., height, weigh, vision (corrected vs. non-corrected), etc. The student should check with the specific agency in which she/he is interested in order to determine its specific requirements for employment.

NOTE 3: The student seeking this degree should be aware that some careers in Criminal Justice may require a criminal background check.

Careers in Law Enforcement

Federal Agencies:

  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent
  • Central Intelligence Agency Agent
  • Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent
  • Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent
  • Federal Department of Corrections   (diverse positions)
  • Federal Police Officer
  • Federal Postal Inspector
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) Investigator
  • Internal Revenue Service Special Agent
  • National Crime Information Center   (diverse positions)
  • United States Border Protection Agent
  • United States Capitol Police Officer
  • United States Coast Guard
  • United States Department of the Treasury
  • United States Immigration Inspector
  • United States Import Specialist
  • United States Marshal Service
  • United States Park Police
  • United States Postal Service Inspector
  • United States Secret Service Physical Security Specialist
  • United States Secret Service Special Agent
  • United States Secret Service Uniformed Officer

State Agencies:

  • State Bureau of Investigation and Apprehension
  • State Crime Information Center
  • State Crime Laboratory
  • State Department of Human Rights
  • State Department of Natural Resources
  • State Fire Marshal Division
  • State Highway Patrol
  • State Police

County Agencies:

  • County Sheriff / Deputy Sheriff
  • County Police
  • County Coroner / Medical Examiner

Local Agencies:

  • City / Municipal Police
  • Town Marshal

Careers in the Courts

  • Judge
  • U.S. Attorney   (Office of the Attorney General)
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney
  • State Attorney General   (State Attorney’s Office)
  • Assistant Attorney General
  • Prosecuting Attorney
  • Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
  • Public Defender  (Federal or State)
  • Private Criminal or Civil Attorney
  • Paralegal
  • Court Psychologist
  • Court Administrator
  • Court Reporter
  • Victim / Witness Services
  • Juvenile Court Intake Officer

Careers in Corrections

  • Warden
  • Correctional Supervisor
  • Correctional Officer
  • Guard
  • Parole Officer
  • Probation Officer
  • Correctional Counselor
  • Correctional Case Manager
  • Social Worker
  • Recreational Specialist

Correctional Agencies:

  • Federal Bureau of Prisons
  • Federal Correctional Institute (FCI)
  • Federal Department of Corrections
  • State Department of Corrections
  • County Jails
  • County Juvenile Detention Centers
  • County Probation Offices

Careers in Miscellaneous CJ Areas

  • Campus Law Enforcement
  • Caseworker   (Adult or Juvenile)
  • Counselor   (Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Child/Spousal Abuse, Family Services)
  • Criminologist
  • Crisis Centers
  • Drug Treatment Centers
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Insurance Companies (Fraudulent Claims Investigation)
  • Medicare/Medicaid  (Fraudulent Claims Investigation)
  • Private Security Company   (Businesses, Airports, Hospitals, Hotels)
  • Research/Data Analyst
  • Worker’s Compensation Commission

Criminal Justice
501-279-4425
criminaljustice@harding.edu