The world needs law and order to help protect us and keep our communities flourishing. However, the safety of our society requires motivated and passionate individuals to take on jobs in the criminal justice system. If you’re a police officer looking to advance, or you previously started a degree in criminal justice and want to finish it, turn to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. We offer an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice leadership to help you level up in this thrilling field.
What Is Criminal Justice?
The criminal justice system incorporates laws, agencies, and procedures that help determine and punish criminal behavior. It is designed to hold criminals accountable and prevent crime in general. The criminal justice system is made up of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections – three entities that work in conjunction to carry out these policies and procedures.
What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
There are many avenues you can take with a degree in criminal justice, which is why it’s such an exciting career choice. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our criminal justice leadership degree provides curated instruction and training geared toward helping students get into leadership roles in the industry. Let’s learn more about the different positions you can consider:
Law Enforcement
Those who work in law enforcement are dedicated to using their skills and knowledge to help keep the public protected. If you’re already a police officer and are looking to advance in rank, this program can help you develop the proper skills and knowledge. Some law enforcement leadership careers you may be qualified for include:
- State trooper
- Deputy sheriff
- Criminal investigator
- Detective
- FBI agent
Corrections
As criminals are tried and convicted or awaiting trial, they’ll enter the corrections branch of the criminal justice system. The corrections system involves those who have been sentenced, which can result in incarceration, probation, or parole. Careers in corrections require a different skill set than those in law enforcement. Those seeking a career in corrections leadership should look into the following positions:
- Correctional officer
- Parole officer
- Probation officer
- Juvenile correctional officer
- Prison warden
Border Patrol
Another sector of law enforcement that requires leadership roles is border patrol, a federal law enforcement agency that protects the United States’ borders. People working as border patrol agents help secure borders, prevent illegal entries, seize contraband, and more. Other related leadership positions include narcotics officers, court warrant officers, and K9 police officers.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Careers
Anyone exploring these positions will be encouraged to learn that these careers are both respectable and stable. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of police and detectives alone is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, which will result in nearly 63,000 job openings each year, on average. This means that more jobs will be available, and those jobs should be easier to keep.
In MN, particularly, those looking to get into this field are sure to enjoy financial success as well. As of 2024, police and sheriff’s patrol officers averaged around $79,000 a year, while detectives and criminal investigators averaged over $85,000 a year. Corrections officers earned an average of $57,950 per year in 2024, according to BLS, while probation officers earned $64,520 annually. This means that you’ll be able to make good money doing a job that you love.
Getting Your Criminal Justice Degree with Us
The criminal justice leadership program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is designed for police officers seeking career advancement or preparing for another related career. This online bachelor’s program can be started with or without any prior credits. Credits can be transferred from other universities, technical colleges, and other institutions.
Attendees can expect to take on a challenging curriculum that will get them ready for life after graduation. Our comprehensive courses help students understand what it takes to thrive in law enforcement or corrections leadership. This includes insight into decision-making, critical thinking, leadership principles, inclusion, adaptability, respect, ethics, and more.
Taught by instructors who have real-world experience in the field, this program provides an in-depth education in criminal justice and leadership roles.
Let Us Help You Advance Your Career
If you’re looking to take your career in a new direction, getting your criminal justice leadership degree is a great choice. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, nonprofit Lasallian Catholic university that offers a specialized program for those looking into this well-respected career. We feature a career services department that helps students and alumni prepare for and find work. To learn more about our admissions or to get any questions answered, request more information today.
