Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in Alaska
If you’ve ever longed for a career that allows you to serve your community and contribute to the safety of society, the first step may be a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Alaska has many schools with criminal justice programs that give you the skills you need to apprehend criminals, protect victims, and minimize the occurrence of crime in your community. There are many benefits to beginning a career in this field, particularly in Alaska. To learn more about your options, contact the Alaska schools offering criminal justice programs below.
In many parts of Alaska, there’s a significant shortage of criminal justice professionals. In Anchorage, mayoral candidates noted that Anchorage needs more police officers and criminal justice specialists. Completing your education now and learning more about policing may permit you to meet the needs of your community.
Alaska tends to have fairly high crime rates, a problem that many local politicians hope to tackle. To combat rising burglary, murder, rape, and other crime rates, public service agencies may significantly increase their hiring of criminal justice graduates.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice requires about four years of full-time study at most Alaska schools. You may spend slightly more time in school if you decide to specialize in a specific part of the criminal justice field, like corrections or juvenile justice. The specialty you choose may determine which career options you have after graduation, so it’s important to choose wisely.
Many criminal justice courses may be part of your curriculum, giving you experience in how the justice field works in Alaska. As a new student, plan on taking courses like Principles of Corrections, Gender and Crime, Rural Justice in Alaska, and Ethics & Justice. Some of the high-level courses you may take include Juvenile Delinquency, Police Problems, Procedural Law, and Criminal Law.
You may qualify for scholarships, grants, and student loans as a criminal justice student. The Children’s Justice Act Task Force funds scholarships for those who want to work in the fight against child abuse and neglect. Women Police of Alaska awards a $1,000 scholarship each year.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates in Alaska
Prior to beginning your education, you may wish to consider the career options that may be available to you with this degree. Salaries vary quite a bit between positions. In Alaska, correctional officers earn an average of $56,800 per year (O*Net, 2013). Criminal investigators claim a median salary of $115,400 per year (O*Net, 2013).
Criminal justice job growth in Alaska is very similar to anticipated job growth across the country. Through 2022, job openings for criminal investigators are expected to increase by 2%, and job openings for correctional officers may increase by 5% (O*Net, 2012).
Take the first step toward a rewarding and exciting career in criminal justice. Reach out to criminal justice programs in Alaska now!
