Criminal Justice Certificates

Correctional officers usually work inside jails or prisons, supervising arrested and incarcerated people. These professionals perform various safety inspections and procedures as they enforce rules, oversee activities, and transport incarcerated individuals. Also called marshals or court officers, bailiffs work in courthouses, delivering evidence and court documents, assisting legal professionals in enforcing courtroom order, and protecting the safety of all present. Consult this career guide for more information about becoming a bailiff.

Median Annual Salary: $44,400
Projected Growth Rate (2018-28):-7%

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers protect people and property from illegal activity. Security duties depend on context, but the job often entails performing security checks, restricting building access, and monitoring surveillance cameras. These professionals also make reports, respond to emergencies, and detain rule-breakers when necessary. This guide includes information on how to become a security guard.

Gaming surveillance officers ensure fair game play and security by observing gambling patrons using audio and video surveillance equipment.

Median Annual Salary:$28,530
Projected Growth Rate (2018-28):4%

These professionals gather information for a variety of purposes, including locating missing persons, solving cybercrimes, and detecting dishonest or illegal behavior. They may conduct background research and interviews, collect evidence, and perform surveillance of people of interest. Aspiring private investigators may consult this career guide for additional information.

Median Annual Salary:$50,090
Projected Growth Rate (2018-28):8%

Firefighters respond to emergencies, extinguish fires, and prevent harm to living things and property. Daily duties may include operating emergency vehicles and equipment, rescuing victims and/or providing medical care, and maintaining readiness through drills and equipment maintenance. Firefighters also fill out incident reports and educate the public on fire safety. Some firefighters work for national or state parks to protect wildlands from fire destruction, while others perform hazardous material clean-up. Meanwhile, arson and fire investigators work to determine fire causes.

Median Annual Salary:$49,620
Projected Growth Rate (2018-28):5%

Responsible for protecting people and property, police officers perform various tasks, including police call responses, area patrol, and traffic law enforcement. Police also perform searches, issue warrants, and complete forms and reports. See this career guide to learn about becoming a police officer. Police duties sometimes overlap with those of detectives, who observe suspects, gather evidence from crime scenes, and testify in court.

Median Annual Salary:$63,380
Projected Growth Rate (2018-28):5%

Students without a college education may turn to certificate programs to qualify for entry-level criminal justice jobs. Additionally, some students earn a criminal justice certificate to prepare for related undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Criminal justice certificates qualify graduates for entry-level law enforcement positions, such as jailer, deputy, police officer, and corrections officer. Certificates also qualify graduates for court system employment as bailiffs or court administrators. Nature-lovers may seek careers as U.S. park police officers or conservation officers.

Unlike associate degrees, which often take two years to complete, certificates in criminal justice often take only a few months to complete. Most programs entail about 12-15 credits, though more comprehensive programs may require up to 24 credits.

According to the BLS,police officers and detectivesmake an annual median salary of about $63,000. Criminal justice careers such asfire inspector,forensic science technician,emergency management directoroften fall within the $50,000-$75,000 range, but these jobs may require education beyond the certificate level. Higher-levelpolice and detective supervisorsoften earn more than $90,000 annually.

Intended to deter crime, stand up for victims, and rehabilitate criminals, criminal justice constitutes a series of interlocking governmental systems that process criminals and crimes. Law enforcement, the first stage of processing, identifies criminals and crimes. The court or legal system then takes over and governs the criminal's trial and potential conviction. If necessary, the corrections system handles punishment through measures such as incarceration and parole.