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- WHAT IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE

What Is Criminal Justice?
More than a popular TV series, criminal justice explores the impact of criminality on individuals, communities and society. Criminal justice students typically pursue public service in order to make a positive difference in the world. They aim to investigate the heart of criminal behavior and its role in society.
Why Choose a Criminal Justice Degree?
Typically combining psychology, sociology, public policy and organizational management, criminal justice study opens a graduate to a diverse range of professional opportunities. Students who concentrate in criminal justice administration also acquire knowledge of the main criminal justice agencies, including their operation, funding and service delivery models.
An education in criminal justice equips graduates to serve in law enforcement, courts, corrections systems or other associated private industries. Additionally, it explores theories about why people commit crimes, the effects of criminal behavior on society, and how to address and reduce crime in today’s world. It also covers the practice of investigation and the roots of the criminal law and justice system.
Knowing how human and behavioral services are integral to addressing the core of criminal issues is important. Finally, an examination of key policy trends affecting the U.S. justice system, as well as an understanding of standard operating procedure in both the corrections system and the criminal justice system, is critical.
The Criminal Justice System and Reform
Criminal justice professions encompass an entire system. The system consists of occupations in law enforcement, courts and corrections, as well as their private counterparts. It includes police officers, detectives, forensic specialists and criminal investigators. It is also the realm of attorneys, paralegals, caseworkers, probation officers, correctional officers and other kinds of certified specialists.
A quick look at news headlines will reveal federal criminal justice reform to be a hot topic, with criminal justice reform legislation currently backed by law enforcement organizations and a popular bipartisan movement. People interested in fundamental societal change should be attracted to this field due to the chance to significantly impact today’s legal system, law enforcement and corrections environments.
Opportunities abound for those students who are inspired by civic responsibility to mobilize for social justice by fighting systemic inequality, ill-advised policies and wasteful government spending.
For more about the job field, see Criminal Justice Jobs. Or learn about the popularity of online criminal justice degrees.