Future law enforcement officers commonly have to complete criminal justice courses prior to entrance into a law enforcement academy and the majority of entry-level Louisiana criminal justice jobs require candidates to hold a bachelor degree in criminal justice. Obtaining a bachelor degree in criminal justice is also a popular choice for undergraduate students who plan to go on to law school.
Common career choices within the field of criminal justice include police patrol officer, sheriff’s patrol officer, probation officer and correctional treatment specialist. According to data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition, there were 742,000 criminal justice professionals working in these four careers in the United States in 2006. An expected 11% increase in employment opportunities in these criminal justice careers will add an additional 80,000 criminal justice jobs across the nation by 2016. Louisiana criminal justice professionals are set to see a similar growth rate in criminal justice careers in Louisiana.
If you would like to learn more about the field of criminal justice, or are ready to make your next move towards starting a Louisiana criminal justice career, find the Louisiana criminal justice program that is right for you by browsing our comprehensive list of schools below.