Criminal_Justice

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Criminal Justice covers the broad system of government practices and institutions directed at maintaining social control, deterring crime, upholding the law, and giving fair punishments to offenders. Criminal justice draws from many disciplines including sociology, psychology, political science, philosophy, and law.  Students who are interested in pursuing careers in criminal justice will find a wide array of options in the field such as working in a police station or a government agency.  By focusing on this concentration within the program of sociology, students will become effective citizens learning to deal with issues such as multiculturalism, inequality, and globalization.

To view the Sociology department’s website:  http://www.wpunj.edu/cohss/departments/sociology/

Interests & Skills…

Good communication skills   

Desire to help others/promote justice
Critical thinking

Ability to handle stress and physical tasks
Attention to detail

Leadership

Work Environment:

Careers in criminal justice can focus on aspects of social justice, crime-solving, prevention, and more.  The work settings can be located in a variety of industries and environments, which could be at the federal, state and local levels, as well as private sector organizations.  Some criminal justice positions are in an office environment while others are primarily mobile. 

Possible Job Titles:

Police Officer

Probation Officer

Criminologist

Paralegal

FBI Agent

Crime Scene Investigator

Correctional Officer

Airline Security Representative

Police Detective

Animal Control Worker

Security Guard

Bailiff

Customs Agent

Nonprofit Organization Advocate

Social Worker

U.S. Marshal

Youth Advocate

Border Patrol Agent

Probation and Parole Officer

Postal Service Investigator

Military Officer

Employment Agency Recruiter

CIA Agent

ATF Agent

DEA Agent

Court Clerk

Enhance Your Qualifications:

Students who focus in Criminal Justice within the Sociology major at William Paterson University have numerous opportunities to enhance their academic experience.  Students can join the Sociology Club, which will enable them to meet others in their major with similar interests and career goals, and participate in events to increase awareness of social issues relevant to your interests.  Students can obtain internships ranging from police stations to government agencies through the Sociology department.  Students can also apply for membership in a professional organization that fosters networking for those seeking opportunities in the field.

Related Web Sites:

National Criminal Justice Association   http://www.ncja.org/

The U.S. Department of Justice     http://www.justice.gov/

Occupational Outlook    http://www.bls.gov/oco

Criminal Justice USA    http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/

Other sources:

Please drop by the Career Development and Advisement Center to learn more about careers in criminal justice. Visiting the Sociology department may also prove valuable in addressing questions.