From Defending a Nation to Upholding Its Laws

BY ERIN FLYNN JAY, MAE CORRESPONDENT

The field of criminal justice offers transitioning servicemembers a variety of career paths, both in government and the private sector. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is critical to success in this field. Military workers should first look at federal and then state, local and county government areas. On the private side, a growth industry is private security.

In the public sector, positions within the criminal justice system are available on both the federal and state levels. “It must be noted though that federal and state governments may require additional training and/or education for certain positions,” said Joseph Burruano, program director for the criminal justice program at Penn Foster College. “They may also require applicants to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as well as to pass standardized tests, such as civil service examinations. In most cases, veterans of the armed forces would receive credit for the service that they rendered.”

The ability to speak a second language provides the applicant with a valuable skill that is attractive to many employers, especially the federal government, said Burruano.

On the federal level, a large agency that employs numerous investigators, analysts and agents is the Department of Homeland Security. This agency incorporated the customs and border enforcement roles previously handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). “Positions vary from customs agents, airport security, and border enforcement agents to intelligence analysts and investigators,” Burruano said. “Additional career options in the federal system, particularly for individuals with military backgrounds, would include the U.S. Marshall’s Service, Treasury Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Secret Service and the federal probation and parole departments.”

On the state level, government positions can be found with investigative jobs in local and state prosecutor offices, county attorney offices and legal aid societies; positions in local and state police departments; probation and parole agents; and court and correctional officer careers.

“In the private sector a criminal justice degree, with its strong emphasis on government administration and the law, provides a solid background for advanced legal studies and law school,” Burruano said. The Penn Foster program is diversified enough to allow students to pursue graduate studies in such fields as psychology, sociology, political science and criminology. “Career options would include, within the private sector, security, administrative, investigative and counseling positions in the insurance industry, banks, private industry, corporate compliance and domestic abuse/ social rehabilitation programs.”

The objective of the Penn Foster criminal justice degree program is to teach students advanced administrative skills, criminal justice policies, legal procedures and operational proficiencies. Courses include correctional institutions, introduction to public policy, juveniles and the legal process, administration of justice and organizational behavior.

Students also choose courses of specific disciplines to coincide with their field of interest. These options include substance abuse and treatment in criminal justice, organized crime, crime scene investigation, family law, white collar crime and others.

Penn Foster College is designed especially for busy people who know what they want out of life, but don’t have the time to attend classes. Penn Foster offers convenience—the lessons and learning aids that students need to complete their training are sent to their homes. Students study where and when they choose, but they can also get help from instructors, consultants and other dedicated staff when they need it. Books, equipment and learning aids are included in the tuition price. Penn Foster has been accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council since 1957.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS

“A criminal justice undergraduate degree is a door opener even beyond the criminal justice field, because students will be getting a number of general educational requirements in our program in order to get their diploma either exclusively with us or through beginning at other schools and completing their criminal justice program with Ashford University,” said Marty McAuliffe, lead faculty member for criminal justice programs at Ashford University.

In order to understand employment opportunities in the criminal justice field, transitioning servicemembers should first look at federal and then state, local and county government. “At the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security, created after 9/11, established the largest bureaucracy in U.S. history. A short list of organizations under Homeland Security would be the FBI, CIA, and DEA,” said McAuliffe. “The INS is looking to expand as border patrol becomes a security issue. FEMA, Secret Service, Federal Marshall and the attorney general’s office always need investigators.”

There are probation officers on the federal side—federal correctional positions. Entry level would be a prison guard, but there are all kinds of management positions, from middle management all the way up to warden. “Other federal positions include customs agents and the domestic branch of the military, the Coast Guard. Paralegals are needed in many federal agencies, along with people knowledgeable in forensic sciences,” McAuliffe said. “Students can also work in various crime laboratories. Anybody with a technical sense and the ability to conduct scientific experiments can explore this dynamic area of employment. These governmental positions are mirrored on the state, county and local levels.”

On the private side, McAuliffe said one of the newer things he doesn’t think people look too much at but is a growth industry are private security companies that are both large and small. These organizations can be paramilitary organizations, like Blackwater, but also other companies engaged in a wide range of security initiatives. “My recent Google search listed 641 private companies throughout the United States that provide security. There are any number of jobs in private security companies from entry level to upper level management,” he said. Private investigators, private detectives and paralegals can work with various private companies.

One of the real growth industries is technical security—for companies’ Internet security and “policing” employees’ Web usage. “We will never know all the threats in this area. Information technology security will always be a growth industry, because as software and technology is developed, there is always somebody out there choosing to be mischievous trying to hack the system, so there is always going to be a need for Internet security,” McAuliffe said.

Other career options are criminologists— people who are hired to investigate what the government has done with its case or to provide evidence for the defense and private forensic firms. “People could teach at high school or the college level if they get the appropriate credentials or degree beyond their undergraduate education. There are no ‘pre-law’ majors in colleges; criminal justice is an appropriate undergraduate degree for those seeking to attend law school,” McAuliffe said. “An Ashford University student graduating with a major in criminal justice would have an advantage applying for and succeeding in law school due to the fact that we require a lot of writing in our program. If you understand how to write and organize your thoughts logically and concisely, you stand a good chance of succeeding during law school. That’s an option with a criminal justice degree.”

Transitioning military can gain a broadbased approach to working in the law enforcement and criminal justice market through a Bachelor of Arts in social and criminal justice from Ashford University. Students develop additional understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society.

In this program students investigate both the social and legal sides of working in the criminal justice system. By examining topics in forensics, psychology, crime prevention, law, the U.S. Constitution, terrorism and the correctional system, they will develop the skills and gain the knowledge needed to build an effective career.

Classes in this Ashford program are taught by faculty with graduate degrees and real-world experience in the fields they teach. The program integrates the legal and social forces that shape American culture into a degree that offers opportunities in a wide range of professions.

At Ashford, military service and life experience could translate into college credits that will accelerate degree completion. Military can transfer up to 99 approved credits, including prior learning credits, toward a bachelor’s degree. Servicemembers can talk with a military admissions adviser about maximizing credits from AARTS, SMART, CCAF and USCG transcripts. Ashford University will request all college and military transcripts on their behalf.

SECURITY SPECIALIZATION POPULAR

Servicemembers transitioning into the path of government already possess many of the skills necessary for successful transition into a civilian career. “Hugely popular career paths within government organizations are those with security responsibilities,” said Thaiesha Smith, chair, criminal justice program at American Sentinel University (ASU). These include several departments within the Pentagon, FBI, Food and Drug Administration, and Homeland Security.

Generally speaking, military training has prepared servicemembers for careers in law enforcement and security specializations. “Having learned how to protect lives and property and having been trained to act in emergency situations becomes invaluable in a number of civilian careers,” Smith said. “However, many criminal justice careers require more than practical expertise. The best way to prepare for this transition is by beginning to work toward your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.”

There are several paths for transitioning into the field of criminal justice in the private sector. The amount of criminal justice education one needs depends on their career goals.

With a criminal degree, transitioning military personnel can work in corrections, criminal law, security or in a civilian police department, said Smith.

Military personnel can begin taking online courses toward a degree in criminal justice at any time. Available coursework includes criminal investigations, security operations, risk management and computer forensics. “Starting a degree now can help servicemembers transition from the military to the private sector with ease. In addition, earning a criminal justice degree online will allow military personnel to study wherever they are stationed,” said Smith. “Online learning is able to complement the military lifestyle.”

A bachelor’s degree provides in-depth preparation for positions in federal agencies or for promotion within a police department or private company. A bachelor’s degree is useful to expand career opportunities. In addition, bachelor’s degrees can prepare students for master’s programs in criminal justice.

There are many career fields available in the private sector of criminal justice. A few examples are private detective, paralegal or private security agent, Smith said.

The criminal justice degree at ASU will prepare military personnel to enter a professional career in criminal justice, as well as to develop the skills necessary for advancement.

“Because the program’s overall goal is to equip students with the fundamental critical thinking, management knowledge and technological skill necessary for career success as a criminal justice professional, military personnel will be able to consider a wide range of career options, ranging from administration to human services,” Smith said. The B.S. in criminal justice has four areas of emphasis:

• general degree
• law enforcement emphasis
• administration emphasis
• cybercrime emphasis

The general criminal justice program is designed for students seeking a career in a variety of criminal justice fields such as law enforcement, security, corrections, juvenile justice and adult supervision services as well as more generalized fields of application. The law enforcement emphasis is focused on preparing the student with coursework specifically designed for those desiring to become law enforcement officers.

The criminal justice administration emphasis prepares the student for advancement into administrative areas and their associated duties.

Students specializing in cyber criminology will be prepared to enter information security and related computer crime industries. This is the newest and potentially one of the most exciting and growing criminal justice fields.

“Criminal justice careers encompass an assortment of jobs that welcome people with military backgrounds and criminal justice education,” said Smith. “Employment possibilities have expanded in private business, as well as the traditional areas such as the courts, corrections and law enforcement.” ASU programs are approved for tuition assistance and VA benefits. Reduced tuition rates are available for servicemembers and their spouses. ASU offers active Army TA tuition reimbursement deferment. Military personnel can talk to an admissions adviser about using their TA benefits so they don’t have to pay upfront.