There are a number of ways to get the education required for a career in law enforcement. If you don’t have the money or time for a four-year-old criminal justice degree, you can earn a two-year associate’s degree, which can provide you with the necessary skills to succeed. An associate degree can lead to many different jobs, such as a corrections officer, police officer, private detective and bailiff.

Corrections Officer

corrections officer is an entry-level position that includes watching over inmates, escorting inmates to the areas within the facility, breaking up altercations, conducting thorough searches of prison cells, preparing documents for the transfer of prisoners and handing out record. Many non-federal prisons requires at least a high school degree, but for advancement into managerial positions, it is necessary with an associate’s degree to establish a foundation of knowledge in all aspects of the criminal justice system. Prison guards, who are looking for jobs in the federal prison system is required to hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and undergoes extensive training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a corrections officer in 2009 was $39,050.

Policeman

Police officers serve and protect the public by enforcing laws, carry out investigations and arrest criminals for prosecution. Police officers must be physically fit and able to defend themselves against a wide range of physical attack, and must have a solid foundation in criminal justice principles. Although a high school diploma in the past were enough to turn to a police school, has many bigger cities like Chicago have begun to highlight the professional character of being a police officer and favor seekers with associate and bachelor degrees in criminal justice. To have an associate’s degree will also be an advantage when looking for promotion to higher levels of police work. In 2009 u.s. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a police officer listed as $53,210.

Private Investigator

Many private investigation companies require new hires to possess at least an associate’s degree in criminal justice. As a private detective, your job description often overlaps with that of a police officer, necessitating a good background in the practice and methods of crime and punishment. Many private investigators will complete their college education with training field in monitoring techniques, self defense and emergency certification. The median annual salary for a private detective from 2009, was $42,110, according to the u.s. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bailiff

Also known as on the one hand, officers, court bailiffs provide security and enforce the rules inside a courtroom, escort the jury from the courtroom for deliberation or lunch breaks, swears in witnesses using certain techniques and language and escort defendants who are found guilty in a holding cell, or Correctional facility. An associate’s degree in criminal justice provides the formal training required to cover many aspects of a bailiff jobs in addition to the original training as an employer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for showing that a bailiff 2009 was $ 37,950.