Most Arizona criminal justice careers will require a bachelor degree in criminal justice, although some careers, such as becoming a police officer or sheriff, will often accept candidates with criminal justice coursework who have not obtained a bachelor degree in the field. Prospective students who are considering becoming an attorney in Arizona may also want to consider obtaining a bachelor degree in criminal justice prior to attending law school in Arizona.
Arizona criminal justice careers include a wide range of options. One example of a common career choice is becoming a probation officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition, there were 94,000 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists working in the United States as of 2006, earning a mean annual wage of $42,500. This field is expected to experience an 11% rate of growth by 2016, resulting in the addition of 11,000 jobs throughout the nation. Arizona probation officers can expect to see the industry in their state grow at a similar rate.
If you are interested in entering the field of criminal justice in Arizona, the first step is finding a criminal justice program that meets your needs. Browse the comprehensive list of schools, listed below, to find the Arizona criminal justice program that is right for you.