Careers in the field of criminal justice grow consistently in the United States. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 64,500 openings per year for police and detectives between 2022 and 2032. Due to concerns with public safety and security, crime and terrorism, there is a continuing demand for criminal justice professionals, especially executive-level leaders who can navigate the complexities of the current social, political and regulatory environment.
If you are interested in pursuing a job in the field, a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in criminal justice can train you for an entry-level position. If you would like to advance into higher-level positions, a master’s degree in criminal justice can prepare you for managerial and administrative careers in the field. A graduate-level criminal justice degree program provides you with additional knowledge and expertise in your desired area of interest while giving you an edge over a job candidate who does not have an advanced degree.
In particular, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Criminal Justice Management can help you develop the organizational and leadership-oriented skills needed to manage modern criminal justice entities effectively. A criminal justice agency is an organization like any other, requiring principled leadership, efficient financial management, strategic policy- and decision-making, and even marketing and public relations. Through integrating the study of business, leadership and specialized criminal justice topics, a program like Lamar University’s online MBA in Criminal Justice can help criminal justice professionals excel in executive leadership positions.
The Value of Advanced Education for Law Enforcement Professionals
Although many careers in criminal justice do not require you to have a master’s degree, some place a high value on advanced education. If you are a seasoned law enforcement professional who wants to move into a senior supervisory role, you need to have the necessary education — the education an MBA in Criminal Justice Management can provide.
Other fields that may require you to complete a master’s in criminal justice include forensic science, criminal law or public affairs. Plus, federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies such as the FBI, the CIA and the Drug Enforcement Administration may prefer candidates for certain positions have a master’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Earning your MBA in Criminal Justice can be the springboard for a leadership role and a potentially higher salary in law enforcement, the legal field, juvenile justice, local, state or federal government or the military.
What Will You Learn in an Online Criminal Justice Master’s Program?
Perhaps you cannot afford to take time away from your current criminal justice job to earn a master’s degree. Today, you can find graduate criminal justice programs like Lamar University’s offered 100% online, allowing you the convenience and flexibility necessary to keep your current job — and your salary.
Online courses in an MBA in Criminal Justice program are designed to teach you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to advance your career in a rapidly changing field. Criminal justice subjects you may study include the theoretical foundations of crime control, applied criminology law, criminal justice systems and policy analysis, criminal justice leadership and ethics.
These studies will help you build on skills you learned during your undergraduate program, such as analysis, problem-solving, how to properly address crisis situations, planning and evaluation, and methods of research and procedures. MBA core studies will cover topics like financial management, managerial decision-making, strategic management and marketing management, giving you the tools you need to run a criminal justice organization successfully.
What Careers Are Available With an MBA in Criminal Justice?
An online master’s degree in criminal justice can offer you expertise in a number of areas to prepare you for a job in criminology, corrections, investigations, law and law enforcement, social services, government agencies and the military.
Whether you want to progress in your current field of interest or enter another career in criminal justice, an MBA in Criminal Justice may be the key that gives you an edge over your competition in landing a job.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online MBA in Criminal Justice Management program.
