As long as there are people in our community, there will be a need for trained criminal justice professionals. While some criminal justice jobs in the field require just a bachelor’s or associate degree, if you want to advance your career path and open the door to leadership positions, you may want to consider a graduate degree.

Advance Your Career with a Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice system is constantly evolving — and so are the opportunities for those ready to lead it. Whether your passion lies in law enforcement, corrections, investigation, or policy reform, advancing your education can open doors to meaningful, high-impact careers. Keiser University’s Graduate School offers flexible, fully online programs—including the Master’s in Criminal Justice, Doctorate of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and PhD in Criminal Justice—designed to help working professionals gain the advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence to make a difference in their communities. 

Whether you choose a master’s or a doctoral degree, there are many career opportunities available when you go back to school to learn more about criminal justice. 

Why Earn a Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice?

Going back to school after starting a career in the criminal justice system may be something you are considering. Yet is a graduate degree necessary in this field? The answer depends on your career path goals.

Some roles within criminal justice require on-the-job training, but others benefit from an advanced degree. Getting a graduate degree will give you a deeper knowledge of criminology and the criminal justice system, while also opening the door to leadership roles within the field. If you want to branch into private detective work or security work, a graduate degree will help your application stand out. Finally, getting a graduate degree gives you a sense of accomplishment and confidence as you head into the field to look for a higher-paying position.

Choosing Between a Master’s or Doctoral Criminal Justice Degree

When pursuing an advanced degree in criminal justice, one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to earn a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. Both options can strengthen your career in law enforcement, investigations, or academia, but they serve different long-term goals. 

A master’s degree in criminal justice is ideal for professionals who want to advance within their current roles or transition into leadership positions. Many law enforcement personnel, correctional facility supervisors, and fraud investigation specialists pursue a master’s to gain deeper insight into criminology, compliance, and legal tasks. A doctoral degree in criminal justice, on the other hand, focuses on advanced theory and research. This level of education is especially valuable for those interested in shaping policy, conducting scholarly research, or teaching at the university level.  

Ultimately, your decision will depend on your career goals — whether you aim to lead investigations in the field, direct programs in correctional facilities, or influence justice reform from the classroom or the courtroom. 

20 Criminal Justice Careers for a Master’s Degree

From law enforcement leadership to federal investigation, a graduate degree can lead to higher-paying, specialized roles across the criminal justice system. If you are thinking about a graduate degree in criminal justice, you should also think about your career path. Whether you are going to work in corrections or as a detective, you will find many opportunities opened by your advanced training. Here are 20 to consider:

Law Enforcement and Investigative Roles

1. Police Supervisor

While you do not need a graduate degree to work as a police officer, if you want to be a leader in the police force, you might. A master’s in criminal justice opens the door to a management career path in the police force. Your deeper knowledge of criminology and how to assess needs within the community will help, and many of these programs have a few courses focused on leadership as well.

2. Detective

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a detective is typically in the field investigating crimes. They may monitor suspects, participate in arrests, handle interviews and examine records. Detectives often focus on one particular area of law enforcement, such as homicide or theft.

3. Criminal Investigator

Investigators are responsible for investigating evidence to help solve a crime. They need attention to detail and knowledge of the criminal justice system to be successful. Both are possible with a master’s degree.

4. FBI Agent

FBI agents work with the federal government to study terrorism, white-collar crimes, organized crime and foreign counterintelligence. Because this is a job with the federal government, it comes with good benefits and usually a high rate of pay. The knowledge of federal laws and the rights of criminals to due process is important in this field, and graduate degrees provide that knowledge.

5. DEA Agent

Drug Enforcement Administration agents work with the US Department of Justice to fight drug trafficking and illegal drug use. This job can require quite a bit of travel, as drug problems happen all across the country. These agents need strong investigative skills, as they may need to investigate deep crime rings in order to stop drug trafficking.

6. US Marshal

Deputy marshals and criminal investigators work with the attorney general to stop civil disturbances and acts of terrorism. This is a federal law enforcement role, and it is quite varied in the day-to-day tasks the marshal will perform. In addition to investigating and fighting federal crimes, marshals help with witness security programs. 

Corrections and Rehabilitation Careers

7. Senior Corrections Officer

A corrections officer is responsible for caring for people in prison. The senior corrections officer leads the team within a jurisdiction or a particular prison. While they may supervise prisoners directly from time to time, they are primarily focused on providing support to the officers under their leadership.

8. Warden

A warden is the top correctional officer at a prison or corrections facility. This leadership role is over all staff in a facility, so it is a high-ranking position. Wardens need to know how to de-escalate problems, prevent issues and solve problems on the go.

9. Probation Officer Manager

A probation officer may not need a master’s degree, but a probation officer manager can benefit. Probation officers are responsible for managing people after their release from prison. They check in with those on probation to ensure they are staying on the straight and narrow and are not falling back into criminal behavior. They also provide support as many people recently released from prison find themselves in need of rehab programs or job placement help.

10. Case Manager

Each crime that a police department investigates is called a case, and a case manager is responsible for handling the many details that go into that case. They need to pay attention to the data of the case, ensure the victims, witnesses and criminals have their rights protected, and ensure proper reporting when criminal activity is found. The case manager also manages the social needs of the people connected with a crime, ensuring they can get the services they are qualified to have. A master’s degree or PhD opens the door to advancement if you are working in case management. 

Forensic and Analytical Positions

11. Forensic Technician/Analyst

A forensic technician or forensic analyst works alongside law enforcement to collect, analyze and preserve evidence. They may sweep for fingerprints or DNA samples, they may handle weapons that are evidence or they may spend time in the lab analyzing this evidence. This field can work quite well for law enforcement professionals who are not interested in working directly in the field and who have a strong attention to detail. It also has a strong job growth rate of 11% based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Further, for students with a professional background in forensic science, earning a Masters or Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice will provide advanced critical thinking, research methodology, and systems-level understanding needed to transition from a technical analyst role to leadership positions such as Lab Director or Chief Scientist.

12. Criminal Profiler

Criminal profilers use evidence from a crime to create a profile of a suspect. They use the testimony of witnesses and evidence from the crime scene to state what the criminal might look like. A PhD in Criminal Justice can be a good option for someone who wants to be successful as a profiler, but a master’s degree is usually the starting point here. A focus on criminology and criminal psychology is important to work as a profiler.

13. Fraud Investigator

A fraud investigator will research fraud and try to find the reason behind the fraud. This individual is highly valued in the white-collar crime world because they have the knowledge to review the evidence or lead investigations to find more evidence. With a master’s degree, you would be in a position to lead teams as a senior fraud investigator to put a stop to these costly crimes and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. 

Private Sector and Security Management

14. Private Security

Private security for high-wealth, high-profile people or businesses can be a lucrative role. If you are looking for work that is not with the government and want to put your criminal justice degree to good use, this field might work well. With a graduate degree, you will have the advanced training that the higher-paid private security jobs could require.

15. Casino Security Management

Casinos are a place where theft and crime are common issues, and they require robust security protocols. With a graduate degree, you can be in a management role within the casino security field. You will oversee the security teams that keep a casino fun and safe for patrons, while also ensuring that the casino’s financial interests are properly protected.

16. Loss Prevention Management

Loss prevention is a serious consideration for many companies. Shoplifting alone costs around $100 billion a year to retail businesses. Loss prevention managers create policies and lead teams that help reduce the risk of loss through theft.

17. Security Director

A security director may work with an organization, rather than law enforcement. They work to make sure the property or assets are secure and protected. In a director’s role, the professional may work on developing the security policies that other security team members must follow. If a breach occurs, the security director will be the first one to respond and handle the problem. 

Advocacy, Education, and Public Service

18. Victim’s Rights Advocate

A victim’s rights advocate focuses less on the criminal and more on the victim. They can provide emotional support while also helping the victim find resources to help facility recovery from the abuse experienced. Victim’s rights advocates may also provide support when the victim or victim’s family heads to court to address the criminal actions.

19. Teacher/Professor

With a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in criminal justice, you can take on the responsibility of training the next generation of law enforcement professionals. If you are ready to retire from work in the field, then consider a graduate degree that will give you the chance to teach.

20. Deputy Sheriff

The primary goal of a deputy sheriff is to prevent crime within their jurisdiction. They will also provide support to individuals who are not criminals. The sheriff may need to move prisoners around the community, fill out paperwork relating to crimes and spend time on the street helping keep people safe. This differs from a police officer because the deputy sheriff typically covers an entire county. Someone who takes on this more significant responsibility can benefit from master’s level training. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Careers in Criminal Justice

How do I know if a master’s or doctorate is right for me?

It depends on your professional goals. If you want to advance within law enforcement, private security, or correctional facilities, a master’s in criminal justice can provide practical leadership and compliance training. If you’re interested in shaping policy, conducting research, or teaching in academia, a doctoral degree may be the better fit.

Is a master’s in criminal justice worth it?

Yes — especially if you’re looking to qualify for management or specialized investigative roles. A graduate education helps you understand complex legal tasks, courtroom procedures, and organizational strategy, making you more competitive for supervisory or administrative positions.

Do I need previous criminal justice experience to apply?

Not always. While many programs attract current law enforcement personnel, others welcome students from different professional backgrounds. Foundational courses in criminology, law, and investigations help prepare newcomers for graduate-level study.

Are there opportunities for research or specialization?

Yes. Many programs allow students to specialize in areas such as fraud investigation, homeland security, or corrections management. Doctoral students can also pursue research that contributes to policy development or best practices within the justice system and academia.

Get Your Advanced Degree in Criminal Justice with Keiser University

If you’re ready to take the next step in your criminal justice career, Keiser University offers advanced degree options to help you reach your goals. 

Our Master’s in Criminal Justice program provides practical skills in leadership, compliance, and policy analysis — ideal for law enforcement personnel and professionals seeking management or investigative roles. The Doctorate of Criminal Justice (DCJ), meanwhile, merges applied research with real-world experience, preparing graduates to lead complex investigations, manage correctional facilities, or develop organizational policy. 

For those drawn to research and teaching, the PhD in Criminal Justice focuses on theory, academic scholarship, and the development of evidence-based practices that shape the future of the justice system. 

Not sure which program is right for you? Connect with Keiser University’s graduate admissions team today to explore your options and start your application.