Online social sciences and criminal justice degree programs are growing in size and scope, due the demand for qualified professionals in these fields. If you’re passionate about the law and investigating facts or if you have an interest in sociology and social work, you’re in luck. Your degree options are limitless and with the right training and education, you can find employment in a number of different industries.

A degree in in the social sciences and criminal justice can help prepare you for many different careers, such as:

• Anthropologist
• College Professor
• Criminal Lawyer
• Economist
• Geologist
• Government Official
• Paralegal
• Probation Officer
• Social Psychologist
• Social Worker

While these professions cover many areas of study, there are a few key traits a student in these fields will need to have. Communication skills, written and spoken are a must, as you will be dealing with a variety of other professionals and clients. Critical thinking, analytical, and research skills are also useful. While the path to becoming a lawyer is heavy on education, other professions in the social sciences, such as social worker or anthropologist, benefit from internships or volunteer work to gain real world experience.

My Degree – What It’s Good For

The social sciences include several fields of study, including political science, anthropology, sociology, government, just to name a few. Criminal justice is the study of the criminal justice system and the causes of crime and delinquency. That said, your career options in these fields are quite varied and may include working in such areas as:

• Criminal Justice
• Homeland Security
• Human Services
• Law Enforcement
• Law and Paralegal Studies
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Public Safety
• Social Work
• Sociology

While a bachelor’s degree should be good enough to get an entry-level position in these fields, some of the more advanced positions require a master’s degree of Ph.D. Getting a master’s degree online is a great way to continue working in the field while simultaneously being able to take classes at your own pace.

My Earning Potential

What level of education do you wish to pursue? Are you a recent high school graduate? A career changer? A career starter? Or are you ready to earn your master’s degree? Jobs in these fields can vary greatly, but according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a sociologist earned a mean annual wage of $78,120 in May 2013 while lawyers earned $131,990. Many of these fields require specific certifications or licensures. For example, all lawyers must pass an exam administered by the American Bar Association.

Social Sciences & Criminal Justice Degrees

Social sciences & criminal justice degrees cover many specializations and fields within each industry and are offered by many schools at their campus or online. Students are able to work towards several types of degree in business including Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Art, and Master of Art. Read more on schools offering degrees in social sciences & criminal justice:

• DeVry University
• Kaplan University
• Liberty University
• Walden University

Below, you can find several programs for popular fields in social sciences & criminal justice.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees

• Kaplan University — BS: Criminal Justice
• Kaplan University — MS: Criminal Justice
• Northcentral University — MBA: Criminal Justice
• Northcentral University — DBA: Criminal Justice

Online Homeland Security Degrees

• Kaplan University — BSCJ: Homeland Security
• Kaplan University — MS: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Northcentral University — MBA: Homeland Security
• Northcentral University — DBA: Homeland Security Leadership & Policy

Online Paralegal Degrees

• Keiser University — AA: Paralegal Studies
• Liberty University — BS: Paralegal Studies
• Rasmussen College — AS: Paralegal Studies
• George Washington University — MPS: Paralegal Studies

Online Political Science Degrees

• Southern New Hampshire University — MS: Applied Political Science

Online Public Administration Degrees

• Northcentral University — MBA: Public Administration
• Northcentral University — PhD: Business Administration – Public Administration