With the job market still severely depressed, workers are asking themselves what they can do to better position themselves for the industries that are still growing or are expected to grow once the economy recovers. Getting additional training or degrees is an important part of that preparation. Additional education can be the key to starting or improving a variety of criminal justice careers .

The field of criminal justice is one that is actually growing, and quite rapidly. While entry level law enforcement jobs don’t require a degree, many specialized criminal justice positions do. And those already in the field should always be looking for opportunities to get extra training on new techniques and technologies. Those that want to advance to the top levels of their specific career will want to get not just basic degrees, but should plan for extensive graduate level work to ensure they are fully qualified for advancement.

The actual field of criminal justice is so much more than law enforcement, lawyers, and judges. The field includes intelligence gathering such as the FBI and CIA, support positions like paralegals, court reporters and exotic jobs like Air Marshals and even game wardens. Technology has its own place, with computer forensics, crime scene technicians and lab analysts. These jobs all require a thorough understanding of applicable laws and criminal procedure as well as scientific, security, or administrative skills.