Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal justice
Listed by colleges as Criminal Justice and Corrections
Study that focuses on the general study of criminal justice and corrections. Covers criminology, criminal justice, correctional science, forensic science, law enforcement, psychology, and ethics.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 22 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
- Study that focuses on the general study of criminal justice and corrections. Covers criminology, criminal justice, correctional science, forensic science, law enforcement, psychology, and ethics.
- Corrections
- Prepares you to study the theories and principles, of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other workers in public and/or private incarceration facilities.
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
- Prepares you to apply theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice to the administration of public law enforcement agencies and operations. Covers law enforcement history and theory, operational command leadership, administration of public police organizations, labor relations, incident response strategies, legal and regulatory responsibilities, budgeting, public relations, and organizational leadership.
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Covers criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues.
- Forensic Science and Technology
- Moved from 43.0106 to 43.0406
- Criminal Justice/Police Science
- Prepares you to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
- Security and Loss Prevention Services
- Prepares you to perform routine inspection, patrol and crime prevention services for private clients. Covers the provision of personal protection as well as property security.
- Juvenile Corrections
- Prepares you to specialize in the provision of correction services to underage minor populations. Covers corrections, juvenile delinquency, juvenile development and psychology, juvenile law and justice administration, social services, record-keeping procedures, and communication skills.
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Moved from 43.0111 to 43.0402
- Securities Services Administration/Management
- Prepares you to plan, manage, and supervise services providing private security protection for people and property and related investigative and consulting functions. Covers security and loss prevention services, private security and investigation techniques, security technologies, personnel management, business operations, marketing, applicable law and regulations, and client relations.
Also called Business and Organizational Security Management
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
- Median pay
- $76,210
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.5%
- Job openings a year
- 51,500
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyManagers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.9%
- Job openings a year
- 100,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing slowlySecurity Guards
- Median pay
- $38,020
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.9%
- Job openings a year
- 156,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingCorrectional Officers and Jailers
- Median pay
- $58,940
- Hiring change through 2035
- −7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 28,400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Median pay
- $106,040
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.3%
- Job openings a year
- 10,600
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing slowlyDetectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 7,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing slowlyCriminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $76,590
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.5%
- Job openings a year
- 1,100
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyChild, Family, and School Social Workers
- Median pay
- $59,550
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.4%
- Job openings a year
- 33,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyCompliance Officers
- Median pay
- $80,730
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 32,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Median pay
- $62,280
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.4%
- Job openings a year
- 11,200
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career GrowingPrivate Detectives and Investigators
- Median pay
- $51,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
- Job openings a year
- 3,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingFirst-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
- Median pay
- $77,970
- Hiring change through 2035
- −2.5%
- Job openings a year
- 3,700
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $33,886 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 21 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.