Most Alabama criminal justice careers require a bachelor degree in criminal justice or a related field. Some popular criminal justice careers, such as police officer, sheriff or detective, do not generally require a bachelor degree, but may require coursework in criminal justice prior to academy acceptance, and obtaining a bachelor degree in criminal justice will increase your chance of acceptance. A bachelor degree in criminal justice is also a popular choice for students who plan to continue their education by attending law school.
Going into the field of probation is one common career track for students who choose to obtain a criminal justice degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition, as of 2006 there were 94,000 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists working in the United States making a mean annual wage of $42,500. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that these careers will experience an 11% growth rate by 2016, which would result in an additional 11,000 jobs across the country.
If you would like to learn more about earning a criminal justice degree in Alabama, or would like to take the next step towards your Alabama criminal justice career, look through the comprehensive list of schools offering criminal justice programs listed below.