Careers in Criminal Justice
Careers in Criminal Justice typically encompass Law Enforcement, Corrections, and the Courts. Select from the below listed careers for more information on requirements and recommended
programs of study:
See the corrections home page.
Some of the Federal law enforcement opportunities that exist include:
- Border Patrol
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
- Central Intelligence Agency
- U.S. Customs
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security
- Immigration & Naturalization
- U.S. Marshals
- National Park Service
- U.S. Post Office
- Secret Service
- Transportation Security
Federal jobs typically require a four-year college degree and give hiring preference to those with law enforcement employment experience.
Students looking for a career with a federal law enforcement agency should follow one of two courses of study through Kellogg Community College. If you plan on transferring to a four-year school and earning your bachelor’s degree before gaining any work experience, you should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice. This program is designed to meet the MACRAO agreement and will transfer well to most Michigan four-year colleges and universities. If you have already selected a 4-year college, you should follow the transfer guide for that program.
If you prefer to gain experience while working on your four-year degree you should follow the Law Enforcement program.
Forensic Scientists can be hired on the local, state, or federal level. Large police agencies, state agencies, and federal agencies generally employ
civilian personnel who have formalized education in chemistry, biology, and physics. If you have a particular agency in mind you should request
information directly from that agency regarding their employment requirements. Otherwise, it is recommended that students follow an
Associate in Science with an emphasis on Chemistry or Biology for transfer to the four-year school of your choice.
Many forensic science professionals originally began their career as a police officer and then received specialized training from their department. Most medium and small agencies still follow this practice. Student’s who prefer to follow this career path should follow the Law Enforcement program.
This career normally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Students should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice curriculum. This program is designed to meet the MACRAO agreement and will transfer well to most Michigan four-year colleges and universities. If you have already selected a 4-year college, you should follow the transfer guide for that program.
This career normally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Students should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice curriculum. This program is designed to meet the MACRAO agreement and will transfer well to most Michigan four-year colleges and universities. If you have already selected a 4-year college, you should follow the transfer guide for that program.
Kellogg Community College operates a police academy approved by:
For more information see Law Enforcement.
To be a licensed private investigator in the state of Michigan you must have either three years experience as a police officer, or have a bachelor’s
degree in the field of police administration, or be employed for three years by a private detective business as an investigative employee.
Students following the first option (three years experience as a police officer) should follow the Law Enforcement program. Students following the second option (a bachelor’s degree in police administration) should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice curriculum. This program is designed to meet the MACRAO agreement and will transfer well to most Michigan four-year colleges and universities.
Student’s following the third option should apply directly to the private detective business of their choice.
This career normally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Students should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice curriculum. This program is designed to meet the MACRAO agreement and will transfer well to most Michigan four-year colleges and universities. If you have already selected a 4-year college, you should follow the transfer guide for that program.
See the Public Safety home page.
Qualifications vary greatly for this profession. Those wishing to give themselves the best opportunity for employment and advancement should follow the Associate in Criminal Justice curriculum.