Getting Your Degree In Criminal Law

Are you getting ready to begin college but have no idea what you want to major in?  Have you considered a criminal law degree?  A criminal law degree, also commonly referred to as "criminal justice" or "criminology" may be the answer for you.  This article will explain to you what a criminal law degree consists of, the exciting careers you will be able to pursue with one, and how to know if it may be right for you.

The Next Few Years

Before choosing a major, you will probably want to know what the next few years of your life studying that major will consist of.  The good news is that studying for a criminal law degree will be exciting, challenging, and full of variety.  Take a look at some of the academic aspects of majoring in criminal law.

• Variety of coursework. One aspect of studying criminal law that many students appreciate is the variety of coursework.  You will take many different kinds of classes including psychology, sociology, criminology, research methods, statistics, etc.  Needless to say, there is not a lot of monotony involved with studying criminal justice, so your chances of experiencing a burnout while studying are slim.
• Internships. Many colleges and universities will offer criminal law students the chance to experience criminology in the real world through the use of internships.  These internships may consist of going on ride-alongs with police officers, watching forensic science take place in a lab, shadowing trials in a court house, and more.  These real world experiences make what you are studying feel more real, and can be a very exciting time in the life of a criminal law student.

Career Possibilities

"So," you may ask, "what will I be able to do with a criminal law degree after I'm finished with school?"  The career possibilities associated with a criminal law degree are many, and you have several options when it comes to choosing your niche in the field.  Read on for some of the many careers you can choose in the field of criminal law.

• Police Officer
• Detective
• Future in law school/becoming an attorney
• Criminologist
• Border Patrol
• Bailiff
• Private Investigator
• Probation Officer
• Correctional Officer

The above list is by no means comprehensive, and there are many more career possibilities for those with a criminal law degree.

Traits of a Criminology Major

Are you still struggling to decide if a criminal law degree is the right choice for you?  Have a look at some of the characteristics of a good candidate for the major, and see how you rank within those fields.  A student who is likely to do well in a criminal degree major may possess the following traits.

• Passion for making the world a better, safer place
• Strong reading comprehension
• Ability to speak in front of others
• The ability to empathize with victims while being strong and assertive with criminals
• Intellectual curiosity
• Good problem solving skills

If you consider criminal law as a major, congratulations!  You will be opening the door for your future and will be exposing yourself to limitless potential.  You will be glad you made the choice to earn this great degree. Consider speaking with a lawyer, such as from Law Offices Of Timothy J Ormes, for more information.