Careers: police officer, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, correctional officer, and detective. Majors: Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Legal Studies and Paralegal, and Forensic Science.
College majors for criminal justice and public safety
Criminal Justice
Studies crime, law enforcement, courts and corrections.
Fire Science
Studies fire behavior, prevention, firefighting and emergency response.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Prepares you to plan for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.
Legal Studies and Paralegal
Studies law and the legal system and prepares you to support attorneys.
Forensic Science
Applies science to analyze evidence in criminal and civil investigations.
Emergency Medical Services
Trains you to provide emergency care at the scene and during transport.
Cybersecurity
Teaches you to protect computer systems, networks and data from attacks.
Careers in criminal justice and public safety
Police Officer
Protect communities, respond to calls, investigate crimes and enforce the law.
- Typical training: 6–12 months (academy + field training)
Firefighter
Respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues and hazmat incidents.
- Typical training: 6–12 months (EMT + academy)
911 Dispatcher
Answer emergency calls and send police, fire and medical help.
- Typical training: 3–6 months
Correctional Officer
Keep order and safety inside jails and prisons.
- Typical training: 2–4 months (academy)
Detective
Investigate crimes, gather evidence and build cases that hold up in court.
- Typical training: 3–5 years as a police officer
Probation Officer
Supervise people on probation or parole and help them rebuild their lives.
- Typical training: 4 years plus agency training
Paralegal
Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.
- Typical training: 6 months to 2 years
Security Guard
Protect people and property by observing, patrolling, controlling access and reporting.
- Typical training: Days to 2 weeks
Lifeguard
Watch over swimmers and respond fast to prevent drownings.
- Typical training: 1–2 weeks
Skills these careers use
- Report writing
- Criminal law and procedure
- Defensive tactics and use-of-force policy
- Emergency vehicle operation
- Fire suppression
- Emergency medical care
Minors that fit this interest
- Criminal Justice: Adds an understanding of law enforcement, courts and corrections.
- Emergency Management: Adds disaster planning, response and recovery skills.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what police officers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: criminal law and procedure, report writing, and defensive tactics and use-of-force policy
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
A self-paced online course on what firefighters do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: fire suppression, emergency medical care, and SCBA use
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
A self-paced online course on what 911 dispatchers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: call-taking protocols, computer-aided dispatch, and radio communication
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
A self-paced online course on what correctional officers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: facility security procedures, search and contraband detection, and use-of-force policies
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Criminal Justice and Public Safety: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in criminal justice and public safety?
Careers connected to criminal justice and public safety include police officer, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, correctional officer, detective, probation officer, paralegal, and security guard.
What should I major in if I am interested in criminal justice and public safety?
Majors connected to criminal justice and public safety include Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Legal Studies and Paralegal, Forensic Science, and Emergency Medical Services. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What criminal justice and public safety careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include police officer, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, correctional officer, detective, and paralegal. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which criminal justice and public safety careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include probation officer, emergency management director, and fish and game warden. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in criminal justice and public safety?
Skills that come up often in these careers include report writing, criminal law and procedure, defensive tactics and use-of-force policy, emergency vehicle operation, fire suppression, and emergency medical care, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in criminal justice and public safety?
Minors connected to criminal justice and public safety include Criminal Justice and Emergency Management.
How do I start a career in criminal justice and public safety?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore criminal justice and public safety careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in criminal justice and public safety involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to criminal justice and public safety?
Yes. Related online trainings include Police Officer Training, Firefighter Training, 911 Dispatcher Training, and Correctional Officer Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to criminal justice and public safety?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.