School Info: Criminal justice is a very complex career field that covers a wide area of systems and practices. The courses in the bachelor of criminal justice program outline and identify components of the criminal justice system in the US, and its relation to law enforcement, the court systems, and corrections. The University of Phoenix offers students a bachelor of criminal justice program, a total of 120 credit hours, which offers students courses in criminology, policing and theories, foundations of criminal justice, criminal procedures, criminal law, research methods, and organizational behavior, amongst many others. The tuition rate for this program is $550 per credit hour and financial aid assistance is available for students that meet the requirements to qualify.

Career Info: Students who have earned this degree are taught the components of the criminal justice system, the concepts and components behind criminal law and procedure, and are familiar with methods and practices involving criminal justice and corrections concepts and practices. Students who earn this degree pursue careers as probation officers, police or sheriff officers, loss prevention managers, and security managers. According to Payscale, probation and correctional officers earn a median annual salary range of $30,634-$39,441, police and sheriff officers earn a median annual salary range of $40,742-$64,342, and loss prevention managers earn a median annual salary range of $35,820-$46,055. Additionally, security managers earn a median annual salary range of $40,922-$85,000. A bachelor degree in the criminal justice field is highly beneficial, as current criminal justice technology and practices continue to be updated, employers of related organizations will be looking to employ candidates with degrees and the necessary training and skills needed to work in the field.