Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in Indiana
Society relies on many different roles and careers to function successfully. A significant part of a strong society is its criminal justice system. When professionals can prevent crime, dole out the appropriate punishment when it happens, and ensure that justice is done, people feel safe and are more confident about the community they live in. Whether you live in one of Indiana’s rural areas, suburban communities, or cities, you may have the opportunity to make a difference in the field of criminal justice.
Learn more about how to start working in this field now by contacting the schools below that offer bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice in Indiana.
By pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you may get the chance to work with prestigious and well-known employers. In fact, one Indiana criminal justice student recently completed an internship with the U.S. Marshals. This type of experience can propel your career forward.
Furthermore, this may be the perfect time to get established in Indiana’s criminal justice industry. The state recently carried out a major overhaul of its criminal code, leading to some positive changes in crime numbers and having a negative impact in other areas. With a bachelor’s degree, you may have the background and theoretical understanding needed to make these changes successful.
Starting your career in the state may give you the opportunity to affect major change in the justice system as a whole. A recent Indiana study called for a more extensive look at the effects of race and ethnicity in law and justice.
Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in Indiana
A big part of succeeding in this field is getting the right education. For many students, this means getting a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree, which requires 120 credits and takes about eight semesters to complete, gives you experience in a variety of criminal justice subfields and gives you the chance to find out which career area is best for your interests. It also emphasizes the importance of practical skill building.
After completing your theoretical courses, you may gain practical work experience through an internship at a local justice agency or employer.
To earn your degree, you’ll likely need to take multifaceted and challenging courses in a number of areas. In your curriculum, you may find classes like Criminal Justice Research, Methodology in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Victimology, Cyber Crime, and Courtroom Procedures. If you know that you want to work in a particular area of this field, you may want to choose a school with different specialties. For example, if you know you want to become a police officer, consider completing a degree that focuses on policing procedures.
Schools across Indiana offer scholarships to criminal justice students. Scholarships are typically need-based or achievement based. For example, you may choose to apply for the William Nardini Memorial Scholarship or federal financial aid.
Criminal Justice Careers in Indiana
Finding the right career is a big part of your education. Popular career routes in this field include policing, corrections, and investigation. Look into your educational options to find the right one for you.
If you want to actively work in the field every day and maintain order in your community, consider becoming a police officer. Job openings for police officers are expected to increase by 6% by 2022 (O*Net, 2012). The average salary for an Indiana police officer is $46,100 per year (O*Net, 2013).
Corrections may be the field for you if you are willing to work in Indiana’s jails and prisons. By the end of 2022, O*Net expects a 5% increase in job openings. In addition, correctional officers in Indiana earn a median income of $30,700 per year (O*Net, 2013).
Criminal investigation may be the path for you if you are interested in solving a variety of crimes in your area. O*Net indicates that criminal investigators earn an average salary of $56,600 per year, and they expect job openings to jump by 4% (O*Net, 2012).
If you are ready to start your future with an exciting new career, use our schools list below to contact criminal justice programs in Indiana.
