Find a Criminal Justice College Near You.

Law enforcement jobs are some of the most selfless and rewarding jobs out there today. Earning a Criminal Justice degree or certificate is a good way to get into any number of jobs offered in law enforcement. Departments are increasingly encouraging potential employees to take college courses; some even require a college degree.

Here are just some of the many jobs available once you complete a criminal justice degree program:

Detectives are investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews, observe suspects activities and participate in both raids and arrests.

Police officers participate in duties such as patrolling and responding to 911 and service calls. Some officers direct traffic at the scene of an accident, investigate burglaries and must be able to give first aid to accident victims.

Forensic technologists help criminal investigators by gathering, classifying and analyzing physical evidence found at crime scenes. They generally specialize in DNA and firearm evidence. Main tasks for forensic science technologists include running DNA tests on tissues, fibers, hair, skin, blood and other body fluids. They also perform ballistic and other weapon analysis. Other responsibilities involve writing up reports and giving expert opinions to the investigators based on the evidence they find.

Private detectives and investigators may provide executive, corporate and celebrity protection and individual background profiles. These criminal justice officers investigate everything from such as identity theft and fraud to missing persons and infidelity cases.

Probation officers work with people who are sentenced to probation instead of prison. They supervise offenders through contact with the offenders and their families.

Correctional treatment specialists work in jails, prisons and probation agencies. Their main focus is evaluating inmates and making release plans.