Author: Jim Greenberg

Before you enter a college or university to get your online criminal justice degree there are certain things that you should know. These are:

1. Find out the difference between different levels of online degrees:

You can get online associate level degrees, bachelor level degrees, master level degrees and even PhDs. Depending on your existing level of educational achievement you have to make an appropriate choice as to what level of online degree you can go for or are eligible to get.

1. Find out the difference between different types of online degrees:

Online criminal justice degrees are available in many different majors or specialisations. Depending on your own inclinations and research about various career options you have to decide which type of online degree will be just right for you – which major, program or degree you should opt for. So find out about all the options available to you when it comes to online degrees in criminal justice.

1. Find out which online university or college is best for you:

There are hundreds of colleges and universities offering online degrees. But not all of them are equally good. Some are good, some are not-so-good and some are outright bad. Look at costs, time factor, course content, faculty, accreditation and transferability of credits, and all other possible factors that can impact your decision about which college or university is best for you. It is not easy to compare different colleges and universities and there are many dangers. Hence, the more thorough your research the better will be your choice.

1. Find out all you need to know about accreditation:

Almost all online colleges and universities offering online degrees boast of some accreditation or the other. But all accreditations are not the same. Accreditations by any of the eight regional accrediting bodies funded by the US Department of Education and authorised by the department to grant accreditations, are the most valuable and absolutely risk-free. Accreditations from other bodies are risky. Two states – Michigan and Oregon – have also put out negative lists as to which colleges and universities are not recognised or rather degrees from such colleges and universities are not recognised. The Michigan list also contains a list of accreditation bodies that are not recognised. Make it a point to find out whether the college or university you are thinking of entering is not in any of these two lists because then the degree that you earn will be worthless. In short, avoid colleges and universities known as diploma mills.

1. Find out about for-profit institutions such as ITT Tech:

For-profit institutions such as ITT Tech market their programs very aggressively. While such institutions may have a lot of good things going for them there are many bad points that these institutions do not care to advertise. Please research thoroughly all aspects before entering for-profit institutions such as ITT Tech.

1. Find out about for-profit universities such as the University of Phoenix:

The University of Phoenix is the unchallenged market leader in the for-profit education services industry. It is also the largest and the oldest university offering online degrees. It is also a very aggressive advertiser. Though it is a pioneer in online education and can boast of many innovations in the field of online education, not everything may be right about the University of Phoenix. Thoroughly check all the facts that they do not care to advertise and then make your choice – don’t just go by advertising or past reputation.

1. Find out the basics of an online criminal justice degree:

Find out about various careers, majors and specialisations. Find out about course curriculum, misconceptions about online degrees and all else that you need to know before going for an online criminal justice degree.

1. Find out about careers and salaries:

An online degree can open up many different types of careers. Find out which type of degrees will open up which type of careers as well as the possible or average salaries associated with each of these types of careers before deciding on any particular online degree in criminal justice.

1. Find out what all you will need to get an online criminal justice degree:

Find out what materials you will need, what kind of pre-requisites you must have, how difficult the program will be, what kind of syllabus you will face and so on before deciding on any particular online criminal justice program.

1. Find out what online criminal justice courses are like:

Find out the various differences and similarities between online and traditional courses. What kind of time will be required, what credentials will be required, what kind of homework will be required, what kind of classroom environment or teaching and learning environment you will have and so on before deciding on any particular online criminal justice program.

About the Author:

Jim Greenberg recommends you visit the Online Criminal Justice Degree Guide for more information on enrolling in an online criminal justice college. See http://www.ocjdg.com/2006/02/theabcsof_enr.html for more information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 10 things you must know before getting your criminal justice degree

Author: Kenneth Echie

It is said that real learning starts at the graduate level of education. At this level, you are required to do more in-depth research and study. Society expects more out of you.

But are there benefits for the individual that embarks on this level of study? The answer is indeed yes. In this article, I discuss the benefits of getting a graduate masters degree in criminal justice.

With no particular importance attached to the order of presentation, they are:

1. A master’s degree in criminal justice prepares you for leadership, administrative, and management positions in the criminal justice system. You will become a leader, administrator, and manager of such criminal justice systems as the courts, correctional facilities, law enforcement organizations, private and public security organizations.

This gives you the power to chart the direction of such organizations. You will set the pace for other criminal justice personnel. You will be looked upon to set ethical standards and develop new methods of tackling criminal justice problems and issues.

This is just reward for attaining this level of education. It is a position and benefit that should not be taken lightly. The right person will use it to become an agent of change for the good of society.

2. It goes without saying that being leader, administrator, and manager of criminal justice organizations comes with the benefit of more money. A master degree holder makes $61,000 per year to start. This is compared to about $58,000 per year for a bachelor degree holder. When you attain the leadership position I discussed above, you stand to make well over $100,000 per year. A master degree in criminal justice does indeed have its rewards.

3. A masters degree in criminal justice gives you the opportunity to specialize in one area of criminal justice. While a bachelor degree program is broad in nature, a master degree program gives you the chance to become an expert in one area of criminal justice.

For example, you can get a masters degree in criminal justice with specialization in corrections. Your research and study will give you the opportunity to do in-depth study and analysis of the correctional system. Needless to say, with this type of in-depth study, you will come to be an expert in corrections.

This will put you in a position to benefit as your opinion is sought in issues relating to corrections. You maybe called to give your expert opinion in legal and legislative issues concerning corrections. You can make money as a consultant in such situations.

There you have it…..the benefits of getting a masters degree in criminal justice. What I have outlined above is by no means exhaustive. There are other benefits to getting this degree. Covering all of them is beyond what I can do in this short article. If you are still interested in finding out more benefits of getting a master degree in criminal justice, I urge you to look into it some more. You can do this by visiting websites that deal with the subject in more detail.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are live links.

About the Author:
Copywrite Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a writer for Criminal Justice Schools . Get free scholarship and grant report and find Online Masters Degree Criminal Justice Schools by visiting. See Also: Make Extra Income http://www.continuingeducation4u.info

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Benefits Of Getting A Masters Degree In Criminal Justice

Degree Programs in Criminal Justice can be completed in anywhere from one to two years, or longer for some programs allowing students to complete them at their own chosen speed.

Specifics of the Degree

* Typical Coursework that may be included in your chosen Master of Criminal Justice program: Criminology, Forensic Behavioral Analysis, Issues in Juvenile Crime, Criminal Justice Theory, Justice Administration, Social Science, and Psychology.
* Skills Acquired: the ability to critically assess law enforcement practices and policies, expand and refine administrative abilities in professional criminal justice practice, new knowledge and understanding of technological and practical advances in the criminal justice system, and the understanding and capability to implement change in the criminal justice system.

Career Possibilities

* Law Enforcement
* Corrections
* Rehabilitation
* Policing
* Juvenile Justice
* Security
* Intelligence
* Social Service
* Investigation
* Forensics