Criminal Justice School Questions

What is the general skill set of effective criminal justice majors/professionals?

Below is a list of general skills you need to posses as an effective criminal justice major/professional:

• An ability to identify and analyze social problems and develop solutions.
• An ability to quickly analyze situations and apply problem solving skills.
• An attention to detail.
• An ability to communicate well with others.

What are the various types of criminal justice majors?

• Computer Forensics and Forensic Science - Computer forensics and forensic science program students learn to collect electronic and physical evidence without inflicting damage. Students are taught to use various tools to detect, respond to, and recover evidence.
• Law Enforcement Officers - A law enforcement officer implements the law and ensures public safety.
• Criminal Lawyer - Criminal lawyers work with the court system, either as a prosecutor who pursues charges against people and organizations accused of breaking the law, or as a defense attorney who helps those accused represent themselves in the legal process.

What does the term “criminal justice” include?

The term "criminal justice" encompasses the system, practices and organizations used by national and local governments to ensure public safety and enforce the law. Those involved are changed with tasks such as maintaining social control, controlling crime, and sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties.

Can I move up from patrol officer to management with a higher level degree?

A higher degree can be important when trying to attain a criminal justice management position in a local police agency, but it is often just one of many factors that are considered. All certified police officers begin at an entry level position and serve a probationary period of up to three years before becoming eligible for promotion. Promotions to police sergeant, police lieutenant, and even police captain are largely based upon the patrol officer's position on the promotion list, making the system very hierarchical. Other considerations for promotions include:

• Police test scores
• On-the-job performance
• Post-secondary education evaluation

Most police agencies will pay for part, if not all, of the education costs for its police officers who are seeking a degree in criminal justice, police science, public administration or a related field. Having a degree, especially a bachelor's or master's, is obviously much more important when applying for higher positions at a police agency. If it is not a goal of yours to serve as a higher rank, it may not be necessary to pursue a degree. However, even if earning a degree does not directly lead to a promotion, it can be a fulfilling experience and help the patrol officer or detective do his or her job better.

Degrees are much more important if you are applying for a job in a federal law enforcement agency. Candidates applying to become FBI agents, for example, must have at least a bachelor's degree. Beyond this, the FBI is a competitive organization. They generally hire individuals who can bring to the agency a desired set of skills, such as fluency in a language (especially Arabic, Korean, Chinese and Spanish), a degree in law, a background in law enforcement, or extensive computer knowledge. Earning a master's degree, especially a JD in law, can improve your chances of becoming an agent.

Is there training for newly emerging areas like cybercrime, identity theft prevention, and counter-terrorism?

The tragedies of 9/11 have pushed issues of terrorism to the forefront of the American conscious and the effects of these events did not stop at the gates of American schools. Many criminal justice universities have added counter-terrorism certifications, homeland security training and related subjects to existing criminal justice programs, while others have created entirely new schools or departments dedicated to the study of national protection.

Many schools offer criminal justice degrees with an emphasis or minor in counter-terrorism or homeland security. Classes include disaster relief and crisis negotiation in addition to the normal criminal justice classes. Certificate programs offer law enforcement professionals or public administrators an opportunity to learn new methods of crisis management and how to protect the national infrastructure. Another place to find counter-terrorism training is in the military. Military academies and ROTC programs have added counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training to their curriculum in an effort to prepare the next generation of officers for the challenges they are likely to face.

While not garnering the same level of attention as terrorism, cybercrime and identity theft are rapidly growing problems and are much more likely to have a direct impact on your life. Schools now offer a range of degree and certificate programs that combine online cybercrime training with a more traditional Criminal Justice program. Classes include:

• Internet law classes
• Cyber forensics classes
• General computer classes
• Security software classes

Though all of these approaches focus on the criminal justice training approach of cybercrime and counter-terrorism, there are other relevant types of training you could pursue as well. Computer science or other computer-related degrees give students strong technical backgrounds that can be used to get a job in computer security and cybercrime-related areas. Degrees in public administration, civil engineering, and public policy can all lead to careers focusing on homeland security.

What is coursework in crime scene investigation (CSI) actually like?

Crime scene investigation employers look for candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry and sometimes physics. Additional coursework in criminalistics, or criminal justice classes would also helpful. All of these degrees require students to have a firm understanding of the principles of scientific experimentation. Accredited forensic science certifications are often similar to biology and chemistry degrees, except students take classes specifically designed to relate to the work of crime scene investigation in addition to general science classes.

Students of biology, chemistry, and forensic science take a lot of science. No matter what your major, you will take classes in both biology and chemistry. This means long hours in the lab and late nights studying and memorizing for exams. Biologists interested in becoming a crime scene investigator should take classes like cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry. These subjects teach students the scientific principles and techniques that crime scene investigators use to analyze evidence. Useful chemistry classes include organic chemistry, physical chemistry and quantitative analysis. Math classes such as statistics and calculus are also essential. Most bachelor programs also require students to take general education requirements such as English, history, and a foreign language. These classes help students improve their written and verbal communication skills.

Once you have attained your bachelor's degree in a science, you might want to take extra classes in either criminalistics or criminal justice, which are highly relevant to crime scene investigation. In criminal justice classes you will learn about:

• Criminology
• Criminal law
• The corrections system
• The role of police in society

Criminology training programs are often specifically designed for science majors who want to work in forensics. Classes can range from introductory courses in criminal justice to practical classes on how to investigate a crime scene.

Forensic science is often a part of entertainment, but how often is it used to really fight crime?

When it comes to careers often depicted in television and movies, separating fact from fiction can be incredibly difficult. In the case of forensic science, however, its importance in fighting crime is undeniable and not a fabricated reality from Hollywood directors. The forensic science certifications are a vital part of the entire criminal justice and regulatory system.

The forensic scientist's goal is the evenhanded use of all available information to determine the facts and, subsequently, the truth behind a crime. This is a role that is constantly expanding. Forensic scientists today deal with issues that range from examining the validity of a signature on a will, to analyzing a claim of product liability, to questioning whether or not an organization is complying with governmental environmental laws, and finally, to protecting constitutionally guaranteed individual rights.

Beyond this, a forensic scientist is often charged with the difficult task of putting together the pieces of a crime. The certified forensic scientist provides information and expert opinion to investigators, attorneys, judges, and juries which is helpful in determining the innocence or guilt of the accused.

What is a certified shorthand reporter license?

A shorthand reporter, sometimes called a court reporter, uses written symbols, abbreviations in shorthand, or audio recording equipment to create a verbatim record of a court proceeding or deposition. A certified shorthand reporter (CSR) license is a permit, usually awarded by a state-level commission, which authorizes a person to work as a shorthand reporter in a court or other legal setting. With their expert training, CSRs may also be hired to record meetings, speeches and other important events.

The training required to receive a CSR license varies on the CSR's chosen specialization and the rules of the state in which he/she receive the licensure. Depending on your state’s requirements, you will need to learn at least one of three reporting methods. The first is called stenography. It allows shorthand reporters to press multiple keys at once to input a variety of symbols. Another method is electronic reporting, a technique that uses equipment to record the event while the CSR identifies speakers and records gestures, emotional reactions and other non-verbal communication. The third method for reporting is called voice writing. A voice writer speaks quietly into a hand-held mask with a microphone inside to record all that is said, including descriptions of non-verbal communication.

Some CSRs receive notary training as part of the certification process. Becoming a notary public allows the CSR to perform additional duties, including the swearing in of witnesses. CSRs also assist judges and trial lawyers by organizing and searching for information in the official records, and might also make suggestions regarding courtroom procedure.

CSR training is offered by over 120 vocational, technical schools and colleges, and about seventy of these programs are certified by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). It typically takes at least two years to become a good voice writer, and nearly three to become proficient at stenography. Certification exams often include written and practical portions. Both NCRA-certified programs and the Federal Government require their students to be able to record at least 225 words per minute, a common standard for state certification.