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Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Career Outlook

Excel in your field.

  • Median annual wage for correctional officers and bailiffs is $45,3001
  • Median annual wage for private detectives and investigators is $50,5102

A degree in criminal justice is extremely versatile. When you graduate, you can pursue entry-level and advanced roles across fields like law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, and law, or you can continue to graduate school.

This program has helped graduates pursue employment at notable organizations. Methodist University alumni include professionals at the Secret Service, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Police and Detectives

$65,170/year

Enforce laws and regulations to protect people and property as a correctional officer. In another law enforcement role, detective, you’ll gather evidence and investigate crimes.3

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$54,290/year

Help rehabilitate probationers or parolees. In this role, you’ll work with law offenders in custody by connecting them to resources for work or substance abuse counseling.4

Other positions you could qualify for with your criminal justice degree:

  • Crime scene investigator
  • DEA agent
  • FBI agent
  • Fish and game warden
  • Immigration and customs enforcement agent
  • Private security guard
  • Secret Service agent
  • State trooper
  • U.S. Marshal
  • U.S. postal inspector

Request More Information

If you’d like to learn more about Methodist University’s application process, admissions requirements, tuition and financial aid or specific program details, fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Program Outcomes: Shape Your Understanding of Crime

In the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, you’ll:

  • Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the causes of and responses to criminality.
  • Demonstrate research skills in conducting a research project in the capstone course.
  • Demonstrate the application of forensic science within the context of the investigative process.
  • Acquire the necessary skills in interpersonal communications, program and policy development, community organization, planning and research to function in a professional position in the field of criminal justice.

Ensuring Your Success Beyond Graduation

From the moment you become a student at Methodist University, you’ll have access to the support needed to obtain career readiness skills, internships, employment, and other career opportunities. And you can tap into a wide variety of career services long after you’ve graduated.

Here are just a few examples of what you can expect for career support as a student or alumnus. You can benefit from all of them remotely.

Individual and Group Workshops

Whether you need help with assessing your skills and defining your career goals or want a crash course in job searching, our staff can help.

Career Readiness

MU Career Services is committed to empowering students with career readiness tools. Contact us for details about our signature programs, the MU Career Challenge and the Senior Seminar Series.

Mock Interviews

Learn how to respond confidently to general and behavioral interview questions while articulating your strengths with mock interviews.

Resume and Cover Letter Assistance

Get feedback on how your resume and cover letters can stand out from the competition and showcase what you offer to organizations.

MU Career Hub

The MU Career Hub is your resource for job announcements, event registrations, and other Career Services information from the Office of Student Affairs. Join us each spring for the career fair. Stay up to date by creating a Purple Briefcase account today. You should also follow us on social media (Instagram and Facebook) for the latest job postings and event announcements.

Sources:

  1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm
  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/private-detectives-and-investigators.htm
  3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
  4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm