Launch a Career as a Secret Agent
Secret agents work for the U.S. government through various agencies including the CIA, FBI, DEA, Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security. Military branches, such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) also employ secret agents. While some work is undercover, secret agents, or special agents, aren?t always working in the shadows.
Online Degrees for Secret Agents
Secret agent positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree. Because agency and intelligence work is so varied, degree requirements vary. Earning a degree in criminal justice, computer forensics, computer science, law enforcement, linguistics or engineering could work well depending on the area of expertise you want to pursue.
Secret Agent Training
Government and military agencies have strict eligibility requirements for secret agents. Among the requirements (which vary from one agency to the next) are:
- Citizenship requirements
- Age requirements
- Academic performance
- Vision
- Background checks
- Experience such as law enforcement
- Foreign language fluency
Secret agents must show a great deal of discretion, even amongst family members. If you think a career as a secret agent is for you, you will need a clean background and a solid academic and ethical record.
Launch a Career as a Homicide Detective
Homicide detectives face the gory details of crime by investigating deaths associated with murder. They may work for local, state or federal agencies and are often plain-clothed detectives who once worked as police officers or entry-level agents. Do you have what it takes to become a homicide detective?
Online Degrees for Homicide Detectives
Though some homicide detectives rise up in the ranks from noteworthy job experience, others earn degrees in criminal justice or forensic science for the sake of career advancement and knowledge base.
Homicide Detective Training
Homicide detectives help to solve complex murder mysteries, so early experience in any of the following areas can prove beneficial as they climb the career ladder:
- Using forensic science to survey crime scenes
- Examining witnesses, suspicious people and evidence
- Locating and arresting suspected perpetrators
- Working with teams of pathologists and investigators
Whether you work a full-time job, seek a career change or are just getting started on your career path, earning an online degree in criminal justice can help you advance your career goals.
Launch a Career in Forensic Science
Forensic scientists play important roles in the criminal justice system as they collect, preserve and analyze crime scene evidence to solve crimes. A forensic scientist should be methodical, organized and have a good eye for detail in the laboratory environment.
Online Degrees for Forensic Scientists
Most law enforcement agencies require forensic scientists to have at least an associate degree; others require a bachelor's degree and/or post-graduate study. Common fields of study for forensic scientists include biology, chemistry, criminal justice and forensic science.
Forensic Science Training
Forensic scientists may specialize in various areas such as fingerprinting, criminalistics, DNA analysis, handwriting and geology. In general, forensic scientists work on the scenes of crimes and in the laboratory to carry out their job duties, which may include:
- Ballistic analysis
- Collection and identification of fingerprints
- DNA analysis of hair, skin cells, blood and other bodily fluids
- Reconstruction of crime scenes
- Typing and dispersal of blood splatters and stains
The U.S. Department of Labor expects job opportunities for forensic scientists to grow "much faster than average" through 2016, especially in county and state crime laboratories.
Launch a Career in Crime Scene Investigation
A Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) collects physical evidence at the scene of a crime to help identify perpetrators. This evidence can later be used to reconstruct crime scenes during investigations and help lead to arrests and convictions of responsible parties.
Online Degrees for Crime Scene Investigators
Most employers require a CSI to have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related discipline. While some Crime Scene Investigators are police officers, others are civilians with keen investigative skills and laboratory experience.
Crime Scene Investigator Training
A Crime Scene Investigator collects, preserves and securely transports important evidence without contaminating samples. As the job involves bending, lifting and sometimes crawling or climbing to investigate, CSI candidates should also be in good physical condition. Specific CSI job duties may include:
- Collecting fingerprints and DNA samples of blood, skin cells and hair
- Identifying clues to reconstruct crime scenes
- Preparing written reports of finding and conclusions
- Responding quickly to prevent crime scene contamination
CSIs work on a variety of crimes, but especially homicides, robberies and sexual assaults. If you'd like to be a part of solving crimes and enjoy laboratory science, a career as a CSI could be for you.
Is a Career as a Criminal Justice Calling?
Interested in a career that emphasizes fairness while pursuing, arresting or trying suspects? If so, a career in criminal justice could be the right one for you. From positions in the federal government to on-the-street law enforcement, there are many opportunities for people who want to protect and serve the public. Read on to see if you have what it takes.
Careers in Criminal Justice
There is a high demand for individuals with degrees in criminal justice, but keeping the peace, assisting victims with retribution and enforcing justice in the legal system comes in many forms. Explore a wide variety of criminal justice careers below.
Law Enforcement
- Analyst: Collect facts, evidence and other material related to crime and put them in order to develop a case, explain a problem or describe crime trends.
- Police: Serve the community by enforcing federal, state and local laws while preserving the peace.
- Probation: Evaluate the progress of convicted offenders' efforts at rehabilitation and monitor compliance with the terms of their sentences, reporting their findings to the court.
- Records: Help law enforcement agencies identify, capture and process suspected criminals.
- Sheriff: Uniformed law enforcement officials who works at the county level of state government.
Court
- Bailiff: Tasked with providing general security for the courthouse and its staff, maintaining appropriate courtroom decorum and taking charge of juries when the court is not in session.
- Court Clerk: Responsibilities include maintaining the records of the court, issuing licenses and assisting officers of the court in research.
- Court Reporter: Create verbatim transcripts of courtroom proceedings and other events.
- Paralegal: Work under the direction and authority of attorneys performing work of a legal nature without engaging in actions that are restricted by law solely to attorneys.
- Records: Process, file and distribute court records.
Corrections
- Corrections Officer: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
- Prison Personnel: Manage prison, administrative and custodial staff.
- Records: Review, process and file judgments, sentences and records of inmates.
- Warden: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
Private Sector
- Business Support and Security: Patrol assigned areas of businesses while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Private Investigator: Hired by people to investigate private matters, such as a cheating spouse or missing person.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records for businesses and employers.
Public Safety
- Child Protective Service: Arrange and deliver personal, psychological or social services intended to protect children and families at risk.
- Community Safety: Reduce crime in the community through special training, monitoring and patrolling.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Human Services Worker: Work to help improve the overall quality of life for individuals in group homes, halfway houses, community centers and various programs.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records in the area of public safety.
- Victims Advocate: Actively promote the health and welfare of victims' rights.
Federal Government
- Agent (ATF, CIA, DEA, FBI, ICE): Work in federal law enforcement to safeguard the country and gather intelligence.
- Customs Agent: Enforce immigration and customs laws, safeguard U.S. commercial aviation and protect federal facilities.
- Secret Service: Provide personal protection, guard U.S. financial systems and investigate financial crimes.
- Treasury Agent: Collect taxes from businesses according to laws and determine tax liability.
- U.S. Marshal: Serve warrants issued by Federal courts, seize and dispose of property under court orders and arrest people wanted by the law.
Other Professions:
- Animal Control Officer
- Bailiff
- Border Patrol Agent
- Corrections Officer
- Court Clerk
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
- Customs Agent
- Detective
- Dispatcher
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent (FBI)
- Fingerprint Specialist
- Forensic Scientist
- Game Warden
- Highway Patrolman
- Homeland Security Agent
- Immigrations Officer
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Parole Officer
- Police Officer
- Prison Warden
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Secret Service Agent
- Security Guard
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
- State Trooper
- US Marshal
- Victim's Advocate
Detectives can be promoted in the same way as police officers, including to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief. Whether you're looking to become a private investigator or crime scene investigator, starting a degree program in criminal justice can be a great first step toward advancing your career.
Earn Your Degree Online in Criminal Justice
Accelerate your career with an online degree in criminal justice. Find certificates, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs that emphasize fairness in the apprehension, prosecution, defense and incarceration of those charged with criminal offenses.
Degrees in Criminal Justice
Most criminal justice positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify for employment, but some entry-level positions can be obtained with a certificate or an associate degree. If you're ready to seek justice for citizens and retribution for victims, choose an online degree program in criminal justice from the list below.
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science/Administration of Justice and Security
Police work is a highly competitive field, but for qualified individuals, it is a growing field with excellent career potential.
