Trending Criminal Justice Specialties
Law enforcement | Forensics | Corrections | Homeland Security | Legal and paralegal
Law Enforcement Careers
From beat cops to diplomatic security officer, explore the full gambit of law enforcement career options.
ATF Agent
ATF agents work with other law enforcement agencies to investigate violations of possession and sale of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.
Certified Fraud Examiner
These professionals help identify cases of corporate or government fraud and investigate specific fraud claims.
Crime Prevention Specialist
These specialists work with law enforcement agencies and citizens to create safer communities together.
DEA Agent
DEA agents enforce the nation’s drug policy and curb the illegal sale and use of drugs in cases of federal jurisdiction.
Federal Protective Service Officer
Federal Protective Service officers are uniformed law enforcement agents with all the jurisdiction a sheriff has minus the civil responsibilities.
Fish and Game Warden
These law enforcement officers protect wildlife, people, and other natural resources so that everyone can enjoy them.
Homicide Detective
This detective specialty has police investigators take on cases where cause of death may not be natural.
K9 Officer
K9 officers perform all the standard duties of patrol officers, plus specialized tasks that involve their dog’s unique abilities.
Narcotics Officer
In narcotics, investigators enforce drug-related laws using resources like K-9 units, surveillance, and undercover work.
Park Ranger
Park ranger duties include protecting people and wildlife, educating visitors, and performing a variety of other nature-related duties.
Security Guard
In a security career, you’ll protect property, maintain security, and enforce regulations and standards of conduct.
Sheriff’s Deputy
A sheriff’s deputy is responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing laws and upholding the peace.
SWAT Team Officer
A SWAT team officer specializes in handling critical situations where the risk to lives—both civilian and law enforcement—is extremely high.
Texas Ranger
These Lone Star State law enforcement officers are an elite team of trained and experienced professionals.
U.S. Marshal
The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest law enforcement agency in the country and employs many different federal law enforcement personnel.
911 Dispatcher
As a 911 dispatcher, you’ll field emergency services calls from people who urgently need help.
Forensics Careers
Explore the wide variety of specialties under the umbrella of forensic science.
Arson Investigator
Working as an arson or fire investigator can be challenging and dangerous, but identifying arsonists or ensuring a building’s safety can be very fulfilling
Ballistics Expert
As a ballistics expert, you’ll find critical evidence for the prosecution of crimes using guns and weapons.
Blood Splatter Analyst
A blood splatter analyst is a forensic scientist who specializes in the analysis and interpretation of bloodstains at a crime scene.
Crime Analyst
Crime analysts are criminal justice professionals who use data to help solve crimes, prevent future crimes and increase public safety.
Crime Lab Technician
Crime lab technicians uses knowledge and skills in forensic science and criminal justice to help solve crimes, confirm identities and seek justice for victims.
Crime Scene Investigator
Crime scene investigators are police officers or civilians who specialize in gathering evidence.
Digital Forensics Analyst
Digital forensics analysts specialize in collecting, analyzing, retrieving and preserving electronic documentation to be used as evidence in computer-based crimes.
Digital and Computer Forensic Expert
Computer forensic experts recover data from computers for use in criminal or corporate investigations and hacking and phishing scams.
Evidence Technician
Evidence technicians are the eyes and hands that meticulously collect, analyze and preserve evidence from crime scenes.
Forensic Accountant
Forensic accounting offers accountants the chance to use their skills in law enforcement cases such as fraud or identity theft.
Forensic Anthropologist
A forensic anthropologist combines human biology, archaeology and forensic science to bring clarity to cases involving human remains.
Forensic Fingerprint Expert
Forensic fingerprint experts work behind the scenes to collect, process, analyze and compare fingerprints to find a match that could be the key to serving justice.
Forensic Handwriting Expert
Forensic handwriting experts apply scientific tests to compare handwriting samples in the process of solving a crime. Others work as document examiners who analyze documents for authenticity.
Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses are critical to crime-solving and are involved in the process from victim care to testifying in court.
Forensic Photographer
Forensic photographers use photography to support evidence in a legal case in a court of law.
Medicolegal Death Investigator
Medicolegal death investigators analyze dead bodies using forensic procedures to try to determine the cause of death when it appears suspicious or unexplained.
Property and Evidence Custodian
Property and evidence custodians are vital to a law enforcement agency’s ability to properly manage their evidence, which in turn affects the agency’s investigative efficiency.
Trace Evidence Technician
Trace evidence technicians analyze key pieces of data such as hair, footprints, gunshot residue and broken glass to help solve crimes.
Wildlife Forensic Geneticist
Wildlife forensic geneticists study non-human biological evidence for the sake of, or relating to legal cases and criminal investigations.
Corrections Careers
Explore impactful corrections specialties that you may be surprised to know exist.
Bailiff
As a bailiff, your primary duty will be to see that the courtroom and all of the people in it, from judge to jury, remain safe. Other duties may include juror security and evidence handling.
Correctional Administrator
In correctional administration careers, you’ll make our prison system run more efficiently.
Correctional Counselor
Those working in rehabilitation use their correctional counselor training to evaluate the progress of inmates in jails and prisons.
Human Services
Human services workers include a variety of roles, but they all play an integral role in preventing crime, supporting victims, and guiding offenders in a different direction.
Penologist
You’ll study and practice prison management and the rehabilitation of inmates as a penologist, looking at architecture, self-help programs, inmate treatment, and more.
Probation Officer
Probation officers supervise offenders, either those placed on probation or parolees, as they adjust to and serve out their restrictions.
Homeland Security and Foreign Service Careers
Explore careers that keep U.S. citizens secure on land, air and sea; abroad or at home.
Air Marshal
Air marshals have a big job: protecting passengers and crew in the air from crime and acts of terrorism.
Air Traffic Controller
As an air traffic controller, you will help to ensure that arriving, departing and maneuvering planes stay safe.
Border Patrol Agent
U.S. border patrol agents protect and monitor more than 7,500 miles of land borders and 2,500 miles of coastal waters.
Consular Officer
Working as a consular officer can allow you to see other parts of the world while helping your fellow Americans.
Diplomatic Security Special Agent
These agents work around the world to maintain the security of foreign U.S. owned facilities and investigating threats to U.S. soil.
Foreign Service Officer
These officers work advocating for America, promoting peace, and providing protection for Americans traveling and living around the world.
NSA Police Officer
NSA police protect NSA facilities, participate in counterterrorist operations and administer weapons training to other NSA employees.
TSA Officer (TSO)
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) play a key role in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure airport safety for travelers and staff.
U.S. Secret Service Special Agent
Working in the Secret Service means you are responsible for protecting national leaders and investigating complex financial and cybercrimes.
Legal and Paralegal Careers
Whether on track for legal or paralegal work, law offices are full of critical, specialized roles.
Bankruptcy Paralegal
These paralegals act as support to both lawyers and clients through bankruptcy proceedings.
Corporate Law Paralegal
This role covers internal business and corporate litigation in addition to typical paralegal tasks.
Criminal Law Paralegal
Paralegals in criminal law require knowledge of basic crime classification and evidence and arrest procedures.
Family Law Paralegal
People in this field will need to be prepared to deal with child custody, divorce, asset division, and more.
Immigration Paralegal
These paralegals assist lawyers working on deportation, immigration, and citizenship cases.
Insurance Paralegal
Insurance paralegals work in all types of insurance—auto, medical, homeowners, to name a few.
Labor Law Paralegal
Labor strikes and union negotiation disputes are just a few of the conflicts paralegals in labor law will encounter.
Legal Secretary
Legal secretaries perform traditional secretarial tasks as well as tasks like preparing legal documents.
Mediator
Mediators attempt to resolve legal disputes out of court before adverse parties go to trial.
Notary
Notaries confirm signers are who they claim to be and they attest to the willingness of parties to sign a document.
Patent Paralegal
For those interested in intellectual property and patent law, this field can be highly engaging.
Personal Injury Paralegal
In personal injury, paralegals focus on a person’s injury or accident caused by a third-party.
Probate Estate Paralegal
These paralegals will need additional skills to handle accounting in estate tax.
Put Your Passion to Work
If you’re ready to start researching schools that can help you apply your skills and passion for helping all kinds of people, click the Find Schools button below.