There are currently about 860,000 men and women employed in the criminal justice industry. The field is so vast that it would be impossible to list all the specialty areas that are included. To achieve personal goals, however, often required receive an education from one of the best criminal justice colleges available.
This is an important and exciting career choice and if you’re looking for the best school possible there are many things that need to be considered. It’s important to remember that education can be offered through various sources which include online courses to universities, but unless the correct school is selected, long-term goals may be difficult to achieve.
There are many things that the better schools offer and knowing what to look for is important. Since many positions require a master’s degree, ensuring that the school is accredited should be an initial concern. This will ensure that credits can transfer toward future coursework that ensure you achieve your career goals. The school should also have a brand name so it is easily recognizable.
Choosing the Ideal Criminal Justice College
Schools receive rankings and looking at only those in the top ten will ensure that your resume lands on top of the pile during the hiring process. This can be found through various sources such as the US News and The Princeton Review. Additionally, departmental and programs will also be ranked which demonstrates their strength and importance in the employment community.
For many knowing that a placement department ensures you will get a job is an important asset in that one needs to know they will be employed immediately after graduation. The industry continues to have a growth that increases by 11% per year, according to US Labor Statistics, and this trend is expected to continue until 2016.
Entrance Requirements For The Top Criminal Justice Schools
There are several universities that have made it into the top ten. According to the US News, Syracuse University comes in at number one. Incoming freshmen have an average gpa of 3.6 and over 40% have SAT scores between 1200-1299. As a result, 92% of those who enter as freshmen graduate as expected.
Drury University came in at number two and emphasizes the importance of global studies regardless of the major the student selects. With freshmen entering the program with a gpa of 3.7 and SAT scores ranging from 1000-1099, they maintain a stringent program and high expectations. As a result, many of their graduates have jobs before they complete their programs.
The University of Louisville, which was founded in 1798, ranks number three on the list. Their incoming freshmen have an average gpa of 3.4 and SAT scores ranging from 1000-1099. As a result, they have a longstanding history as a top ranked institution of higher learning and maintain high expectations for student performance regardless of the field of study.
Today many the best criminal justice colleges and universities offer programs in the field of criminal justice because of the growing demand for employees in this diverse industry. Finding the best school will ensure that employment opportunities look bright and with the right degree advancement potential can be maximized. The first step, however, is to identify which school will best meet your individual needs.
