Forensics
Forensic scientists collect and evaluate trace evidence. It’s their job to analyze weapons, fingerprints and bodily fluids, and perform tests on other evidence.
Computer forensics and forensic psychology are two related professions that also help solve crime and bring people to justice.
Forensics is a popular field because of TV shows like CSI, and you can do it too if you have the drive … and the right education.
Law Enforcement
There’s more to law enforcement than flashing lights. Law enforcement personnel includes cops and police detectives, as well as agents like the FBI, our national, elite crime-fighting team.
And the law enforcement branches of Homeland Security are at work in every state keeping us safe and sound. In fact, Homeland Security covers much more than you’d think. Read below to learn about the other key responsibilities of not only Homeland Security roles, but community and local law enforcement as well.
There are obviously roles to consider in every branch of law enforcement, but the right education may be paramount to working in the field you want.
Homeland Security
Homeland Security has taken on an ever-larger role in our country since Sept, 11, 2001. Homeland Security includes airport check points, immigration enforcement, the fight against human trafficking, cybersecurity, disaster response, and, of course, fighting terrorism.
Contributing to the security of our country can be a satisfying objective as you build a career. Find out what education can help you achieve your goal.
The Courts (Paralegal)
Once the accused are apprehended, they have the right to their day in court, and our legal system ensures that everyone gets a fair trial. Even if you don’t want to become a lawyer, there are plenty of other roles in law firms, corporations, and government, such as legal secretary, paralegal, court reporter, and more.
Paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. In fact, behind every great lawyer, there are smart, hard-working paralegals.
Read about some of the supporting roles within the legal community, and get the education you need to help the litigation process go smoothly, negotiate settlements, and bring criminals to justice.
Corrections
If you go to trial and are found innocent, you go free. If you’re found guilty by a jury of your peers, then you’ll be put into the custody of the corrections system.
Here, you’ll pay your debt to society, and be rehabilitated so that when your prison term is up, you have technical skills and emotional intelligence to make a successful reentry into society.
With over 749,000 workers providing for the needs of almost seven million clients (inmates, parolees and probationers), the correctional system goes well beyond prison walls. Corrections (including jails, prisons, parole, probation and community-based programs) is an important part of any society, and perhaps more so in the United States than in other countries.
Learn what education may help you find your place within in the American correctional system.
Paying for School
The U.S. Department of Education distributes about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study programs and low-interest student loans to more than 15 million students. This money helps students afford the college education they need to succeed in all branches of criminal justice studies.
Paying for school is one of the top priorities for anyone going to college. “Just how will I pay for it?” we all wonder. The answer is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. According to the Department of Education, this form takes less than an hour to fill out if you have all the required documents, and it’s the first step to qualify for federal financial aid.
So whether you’re thinking of a career in law enforcement, forensics, as a paralegal, or in corrections, read more about getting financial aid you need to afford that all-important college education.
