Criminology & Criminal Justice Careers

As students learn in their CCJ 308 Careers in Criminal Justice course, there are a wide variety of jobs—inside and outside of the criminal justice system. Professions in the criminology and criminal justice field fall into multiple job classifications including regulation, enforcement, and investigation jobs, human and social services jobs, law and legal jobs, public policy jobs, and private business and industry jobs, such as those focusing on security, risk assessment and risk mitigation.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, advanced degrees may be required for some types of positions. For example, you will need to go to law school if you plan on being a prosecutor or a defense attorney. You may need to get a graduate degree (master’s or doctorate degree) for certain types of research and analysis, education, and human services positions.

Make the Best Use of Your Time in College

While you are a student, look for ways to build your resume and gain experience that will give you an advantage in the job market. Key ways to do that are:

• Complete an Internship. This gives you experience and builds your professional network. It also helps you decide whether a particular type of job is right for you. CCJ students are fortunate to have access to a very large number of internship opportunities in the field of criminology and criminal justice. Visit the CCJ Internship page to learn more about completing an internship. Click the link to view a list of active internship opportunities.
• Take courses that build your job skills. In picking your electives, look for classes that focus on subjects and skills that are most relevant to your job of interest. If you aren’t sure which to pick, ask your professors! Some general suggestions are to consider taking second language and technology courses. Those skills can often come in handy, as well as serving to enhance your resume. You can also consider adding a minor or certificate to your degree. These areas of specialization can help distinguish you from other job candidates, while giving a broader foundation of career-relevant knowledge and skills.
• Plan for letters of recommendation. Many employers, as well as most graduate and law schools, will require you to submit several letters of recommendation when you apply. You should be thinking about this as you interact with your internship agency supervisors and your professors. The CCJ faculty have prepared some tips for how to be successful in getting a good letter of recommendation from your professors. Be sure to check it out!

Starting Your Job Search

First check out the job category listings on the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) website. 

Another useful career resource to explore is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here you can find job descriptions, education requirements and general salary information about careers you might be interested in.  

The CCJ department regularly receives job announcements and recruitment inquiries from a variety of agencies and employers. Click the link for a curated list of current employment opportunities in our area. 

PSU’s University Career Center also provides a variety of career services for students and alumni, including position postings, job search resources, and resume and cover letter assistance. Make sure to check out the Career Center’s job search resources, including Handshake - PSU’s job database of employment opportunities specifically for PSU students and alumni. Handshake includes jobs and internship opportunities both on and off campus. Current PSU students and alumni can book a free in-person or video appointment with a PSU Career Coach to get help and guidance.