| The field of criminal justice has fast become a | | | | includes certifications as well as degrees at any level |
| services industry in the US in recent years. The | | | | from undergraduate to doctorate (indeed many |
| system of courts and corrections is ever expanding | | | | institutions offering online Criminal Justice education |
| and requires numbers of dedicated and career | | | | even offer a PhD in criminology). |
| oriented professionals in every aspect of criminal | | | | There are many institutions that offer criminology |
| justice from corrections to process serving. The | | | | education. Make sure to choose one which provides |
| criminal justice system in North America consists of | | | | an accredited certificate or degree at the end of the |
| law enforcement, policing, courts and corrections. An | | | | course. Accreditation information is usually provided |
| education in criminal justice can lead prospective | | | | along with course description. The modes of study and |
| graduates and trainees the opportunity to begin | | | | delivery of instruction also varies, with most institutions |
| careers in every area from crime scene investigation | | | | offering blended/ optional-blended programs (the |
| to federal intelligence. | | | | students choose lectures, videos or slides and can |
| Now-a-days, while global recession ravages | | | | alternatively attend classes). |
| economies all over the world, professionals in the | | | | The following are only some of the categories of |
| criminal justice industry are stretched to the limit due to | | | | study in criminology: |
| the need for manpower. Such professionals find it | | | | Crime, Justice and Punishment |
| difficult to further their careers by improving their | | | | This is the study of the structure and process of the |
| education and skills profiles for the fact that there is | | | | criminal justice system. The study imparts |
| simply no time or money available to most people to | | | | understanding of how courts balance competing |
| be able to. The same is true for most professionals in | | | | interests and how penalties and punishments are |
| other industries who wish to enter the criminal justice | | | | shaped. |
| system (only as workers!). Online criminal justice | | | | Community Crime Prevention |
| education (online criminology courses and online | | | | This is a study on how crime occurs and is prevented |
| probate courses etc) provides people in any field the | | | | in communities. This study involves identifying crime, |
| opportunity to receive criminal justice training online, at | | | | formulation strategies for prevention, implementing and |
| their own convenience, requiring lower fees, less time | | | | finally evaluating the outcome. |
| and no classroom hassle. | | | | Victimology |
| Although the opportunities available to individuals may | | | | This is study of victims and their relationship with |
| vary with their education and experience, the most | | | | society and how it is affected due to crime. |
| lucrative areas in criminal justice are criminology (which | | | | Drugs and crimes - everyday Life |
| is also the most extensive and difficult to study), | | | | This is the study of the criminal abuse of drugs and |
| probation, and correctional service (in 2006, 90% | | | | alcohol, the reasons and the factors important for |
| workers from these areas earned more than $30,000 | | | | prevention. |
| annually while at least 50% earn between $35,000 to | | | | Gangs and Crime |
| $56,000 1). Specialists in criminology can potentially earn | | | | This is a study of gang mentality and violence in gang |
| several times more. | | | | behavior. The study includes focus on youth |
| Criminology | | | | subcultures (street gangs), organized crime and |
| Criminology includes the study of incidence and forms | | | | terrorism. |
| of crime as well as its causes and consequences. | | | | References |
| These also include social and governmental regulations | | | | 1. |
| and reactions to crime 2. Education in criminology | | | | 2. |