Criminal Justice

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Prepare for a Career in Criminal Justice

Overview

Criminal justice provides a variety of career opportunities. Earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Lower Columbia College is a strong foundation for many fascinating careers. We offer two degree paths that will assist you in reaching your career goals.

View the Program Planners

Career Paths

There are many career opportunities in the field of criminal justice. These jobs depend on the type of education and training you have.

ATF Special Agent
Animal Cruelty Investigator
Bailiff
Border Patrol Agent
Bounty Hunter/ Bail Enforcement Agent
CIA Agent
Canine Officer
Computer Forensics
Correctional Counselor
Corrections Officer
Counter Terrorism
County Sheriff
Court Clerk
Court Reporter
Criminal Justice Admin
Criminal Profiler
Criminologist
Customs and Border

Protection Officer
Cyber Security
DEA Agent
Defense Attorney
Deputy US Marshal
Diplomatic Security Agent
FBI Agent
Federal Air Marshal
Federal Probation Officer
Federal Security Director
Forensic Accountant
Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic Artist
Forensic Hypnotists
Forensic Nurse
Forensic Pathologist
Forensic Psychologist

Forensic Scientist
Forensic Serologist
Forensic Toxicologist
Homeland Security
ICE Special Agent
Immigration Officer
Judge
Juvenile Court Register
Juvenile Probation Officer
Latent Print Examiner
Law Office Manager
Legal Nurse Consultant
Legal Secretary
Loss Prevention Officer
Mediator
Paralegal
Park Ranger
Police Detective
Police Officer

Pre-Trial Officer
Private Investigator
Probation Officer
Prosecutor
Secret Service Special Agent
Security Analyst
Security Guard
Security Management
Security Operations
Manager
Social Worker
State Trooper
Transportation Security Officer
U.S. Capitol Police
U.S. Postal Service Inspector
Victims Advocate

Skills & Abilities

Skills and abilities necessary to a career in criminal justice are varied, covering hard skills as well as soft skills. Some of the skills you will learn and practice are

Organizational skills
Creative problem solving
Knowledge of legal structures
Knowledge of legal concepts and laws
Understanding of social and psychological issues
Effective communications
Critical thinking

Degree Options

There are two degree options for Criminal Justice, including an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice and an Associate of Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) with a focus in Criminal Justice. Credit for prior learning, such as through a police academy, may be available to eligible students.

See Standards and Disqualifiers that can apply to careers in Criminal Justice.

Contact the Criminal Justice Program

Anita Quirk, Criminal Justice Instructor

(360) 442-2872
aquirk@lowercolumbia.edu