Criminal Justice & Legal

Imagine a degree that puts you in the forefront of preventing crime, enforcing safety and ensuring justice for the betterment of society. Pursuing a legal degree can lead you to many career paths. Each college offers its own law concentration ranging from forensic investigation to internet security to public safety. There is an ever-growing demand to fill positions in various areas of law and order, you’ll be sure to find the right job for you.

Medical Assistant Overview

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and most healthcare professionals. Their responsibilities may differ depending on the type or specialty of the healthcare office they’re working in. Medical assistants are not to be confused with physician assistants, who are licensed and trained to do medical procedures with supervision from a physician.
Medical Assistant Role & Responsibility

Homeland Security and Emergency Management (Emergency Management Directors

Obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management will immerse students in the five National Preparedness System mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. Through the course of their studies, public safety and business continuity issues.

Role & Responsibility
  • Assess hazards and prepare plans to respond to emergencies and disasters in order to minimize risk to people and property
  • Meet with public safety officials, private companies, and the public regarding emergency response plans
  • Organize emergency response training for staff, volunteers, and other responders
  • Coordinate the sharing of resources and equipment within and across communities to assist in responding to an emergency
  • Analyze and prepare damage assessments following disasters or emergencies
  • Review emergency plans of individual organizations, such as medical facilities, to ensure their adequacy
  • Apply for federal funding for emergency management planning, responses, and recovery, and report on the use of funds allocated
  • Review local emergency operations plans and revise them if necessary
  • Maintain facilities used during emergency operations
2020 Median Pay $76,250 per year | $36.66 per hour
Work Experience in Related Occupation

5 years or more
Number of Jobs, 2020

10,500
Job Outlook, 2020-30 6%
Employment Change 2020-30

700
How to become

Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree and many years of work experience in emergency response, disaster planning, or public administration.

Psychology

Students with a bachelor’s degree in psychology can explore a deeper concentration in criminology or criminal justice to become a criminal psychologist. Once the degree is earned, graduates often work in various branches of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the court system, and prison as well as private practices, government organizations or a mental health clinic. Students examine the feelings, thoughts, behavior and crimes to get a better understanding about an offender’s personality and motivation.

Role & Responsibility
  • Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
  • Observe, interview, and survey individuals
  • Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
  • Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
  • Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
  • Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
  • Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
  • Supervise interns, clinicians, and counseling professionals
2020 Median Pay $82,180 per year | $39.51 per hour
Work Experience in Related Occupation None
Number of Jobs, 2020

178,900
Job Outlook, 2020-30 8%
Employment Change 2020-30

13,500
How to become

Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license.

Forensic Science Technicians

A forensic science program provides students with analytical skills to examine evidence and develop conclusions in criminal cases. It can take two to four years to complete a forensic science degree depending on the student’s preferred concentration which can include forensic anthropology, digital forensics and forensic toxicology. Forensic science graduates can apply their skills to a career in the legal system to help identify evidence that will promote justice.

Role & Responsibility
  • Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how
  • Take photographs of the crime scene and evidence
  • Make sketches of the crime scene
  • Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence
  • Collect evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids
  • Catalog and preserve evidence for transfer to crime labs
  • Reconstruct crime scenes
2020 Median Pay $60,590 per year | $29.13 per hour
Work Experience in Related Occupation None
Number of Jobs, 2020

17,200
Job Outlook, 2020-30 16%
Employment Change 2020-30

2700
How to become

Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in natural science, such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science. On-the-job training is usually required both for those who investigate crime scenes and for those who work in labs.

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

In just two to four years, an aspiring court reporter can obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in court reporting where they will learn legal terminology in addition to voice-transcript programs. Court reporters must capture and provide an extremely accurate report of a trial or meeting that takes place in a courtroom or law office. They can also secure employment producing closed captioning for televised court cases.

Role & Responsibility
  • Attend depositions, hearings, proceedings, and other events that require verbatim transcripts
  • Capture spoken dialogue with special equipment, such as stenography machines and digital recording devices
  • Report speakers’ identification, gestures, and actions
  • Read or play back portions of events or legal proceedings upon request
  • Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements or testimony
  • Review notes they have taken, including the spelling of names and technical terminology
  • Provide copies of transcripts and recordings to the parties involved
  • Transcribe television or movie dialogue for the benefit of viewers
  • Provide real-time transcription of presentations in public forums for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
2020 Median Pay $61,660 per year | $29.64 per hour
Work Experience in Related Occupation None
Number of Jobs, 2020

21,300
Job Outlook, 2020-30 3%
Employment Change 2020-30 500
How to become

Many community colleges and technical institutes offer post secondary certificate programs for court reporters and simultaneous captioners. These workers typically have on-the-job training; the length of training varies by type of reporting or captioning. Many states require court reporters and simultaneous captioners to have a state license or a certification from a professional association.