YOUR GATEWAY TO LEGAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
WHAT IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE?
Whether we realize it or not, criminal justice touches just about every part of our lives. We see cops on the beat, helping normal people like you and me every day and responding to 911 calls.
When a crime’s committed, police detectives kick it into high gear to find the criminals and bring them to justice. Once they’re apprehended, our court system decides on the guilt or innocence of the accused. And when people are found guilty of a crime, our prison system steps in to punish and/or rehabilitate wrongdoers. At all levels, criminal justice schools play a role in educating police, paralegals, corrections officers, and more.
Whatever we think about this system, it’s doing an important job every day. The United States has more police officers than all but two other countries (China and India). There are more lawyers in the U.S. than in all but one other country (India). And there are more people in American jails and prisons than anywhere else in the world.
And this means there are plenty of career opportunities in policing, forensics, law enforcement, the legal field, and corrections.
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 training.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
HOMELAND SECURITY
THE COURTS (PARALEGAL)
CORRECTIONS
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.
