| At first consideration, you might think a security | | | | much bigger paychecks waiting for them. |
| guard and an attorney don't have too much in | | | | Consider for a moment the New York City Police |
| common. But let's dig a little deeper. There are | | | | Department. When evaluating new applicants, their |
| some similarities in the type of occupation these | | | | policy states, "Earning an associate's degree or |
| individuals have chosen. | | | | bachelor's degree will set you apart from other |
| Of course, not all security guards are created, or | | | | candidates." But it's not just the rookies. Their |
| paid, equal. While some guards are content to | | | | policy also makes it clear that when considering |
| walk the beat and pass the time, there's another | | | | officers for promotions, that again "...holding a |
| group that take it to a whole new level. These | | | | degree will set an officer apart in the testing for |
| are the degreed security guards. These guards | | | | promotional positions." |
| are the cream of the crop, so to speak. They | | | | The job outlook for law enforcement |
| also command a higher paycheck. | | | | professionals is outstanding. Crime remains a |
| And then you've got the lawyers. Once again, not | | | | pressing concern as the government and state |
| all are created equal. Some college graduates, with | | | | try to find effective solutions. According to the |
| no better alternative, decide law school is a | | | | U.S. Department of Labor, there will be a 29% |
| suitable choice. Meanwhile there's another group of | | | | rise in demand by the year 2010 for police |
| students who already hold a degree in criminal | | | | officers, FBI agents, detectives, and other related |
| justice and are well equipped to advance their | | | | positions. The only possible remedy is to keep |
| studies and their careers. They're starting out with | | | | staffing trained individuals in both the private and |
| a clear advantage. | | | | public sectors. It's a simple case of supply and |
| Beyond that, what else do they have in common? | | | | demand. As our needs as a society increase so |
| Increasingly, technology is meeting law | | | | does the pay rate of law enforcement |
| enforcement. This means that a number of these | | | | professionals. |
| professionals have obtained a criminal justice | | | | What's more, many employers will provide tuition |
| degree online. Available degrees range all the way | | | | assistance or even full reimbursement for a |
| from associate's to Master's. Of course, the level | | | | criminal justice degree online. And pursuing this |
| of education a student chooses will have a direct | | | | dream won't take time away from work or |
| impact on the aspect of the field in which they will | | | | family. An online education allows students the |
| work. | | | | convenience of learning when and where they |
| It's not just the lawyers and security guards. | | | | want. |
| Police officers, court clerks, bailiffs, probation | | | | The bottom line is this: a criminal justice degree |
| officers, paralegals, detectives, drug enforcement | | | | online makes the most sense for anyone looking |
| agents, juvenile delinquency case managers and | | | | to make the world a better place. And that's |
| corrections officers across the country have | | | | whether they are already employed in the |
| successfully obtained their criminal justice degrees | | | | industry, and looking to climb up the ladder, or |
| online. And once they have completed their | | | | whether they are just setting out to pursue a job |
| programs, they're finding more opportunities and | | | | in the field. |