Online Law, Criminal Justice and Paralegal Schools

The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice industries offer a myriad of exciting campus and online degree opportunities.

Here are just a few possibilities:

• Police officer
• Detective
• Criminal investigator
• Corrections, Parole, or Probation officer
• Warden
• Security investigator or specialist
• Lawyer
• Legal assistant
• Court administrator Judge or Magistrate

Search for a Criminal Justice or Law Degree

Featured Law & Criminal Justice Schools, Colleges & Universities:

Criminal Justice Salaries

According to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.com in 2006, police and detective supervisors earn a median of $69,310. They earn more at the federal level (median $85,170) than at the state (median $68,990) or local (median $68,670) levels. A police sergeant earns between $53,000 and $63,000, a lieutenant between $59,000 and $72,000, a captain $65,000-$81,000. The highest earner is the chief of police, who can make up to nearly $100,000 annually.

Corrections officers earn a median of $35,760 (supervisors earn about twenty thousand more annually). Security guards earn up to $35,840, and private investigators up to $64,380. Forensic science technicians earn about $21.79 per hour (approximately $45,000 per year).

Federal agents and inspectors have a different system; because extensive overtime is common in these positions, federal agents and inspectors receive law enforcement availability pay (LEAP), which is equal to 25 percent of the agent’s grade and step. FBI agents generally start at about $48,000, but actually earn about $60,000 with LEAP taken into account. FBI supervisory positions earn about $89,000, translating to about $105,000 with availability pay.

How do I get into the law enforcement industry?

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, at least 20 years of age, and must meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications. Eligibility for appointment usually depends on performance in competitive written examinations and previous education and experience; applicants usually must have at least a high school diploma, and some departments require a year (or more) of college. Candidates should enjoy working with people.

Lawyer Salaries

Because lawyers must have graduate degrees, their starting salaries can be high. According to information released on Payscale.com in 2009, the average starting salary for a lawyer is around $57,000. After 20 years of experience, the average salary almost doubles.

Lawyer salaries are often determined by the kind of law being practiced. Business and corporate law is most lucrative, followed by litigation & appeals. Geography can make a difference, too; the average salary for a lawyer is highest in Washington, San Francisco and New York.

How do I become a lawyer?

Obtain a four-year degree from a college or university (an associates degree is not sufficient for admission into law school). Request more information from some of the online schools available at CollegeInfoPro.com. In terms of getting into law school, your choice of major will not make much difference; however, your college GPA will be extremely important in determining whether you will be accepted to a law school.

You must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. Similar to exams such as the ACT or SAT, the LSAT is geared towards evaluating your potential to perform in law school. The LSAT is critical to your career as a lawyer; admission to law school will be based almost entirely on your college GPA and your LSAT score.

You will have to graduate from law school, which takes a minimum of three years (longer if you attend a part-time program).