Most Florida criminal justice careers require a bachelor degree in criminal justice to enter the field in entry-level positions. Florida law students often choose criminal justice as their undergraduate major prior to attending law school, and law enforcement officers are often required to complete criminal justice courses before acceptance into a law enforcement academy.
Salaries and projected employment prospects vary widely within the criminal justice field; however, one popular choice – probation officer – can be used as an example of the current status and expected growth rate for criminal justice careers. 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 in 2006. Estimated projections show that this career is expected to see an 11% increase in job openings by the year 2016, resulting in approximately 10,000 additional probation officer and correctional treatment specialist jobs across the country. The Florida criminal justice field can expect to see a parallel increase in criminal justice jobs in Florida.
Find more information on available Florida criminal justice careers, or take the next step towards your career in criminal justice by browsing our comprehensive list of criminal justice schools listed below.