Law and Criminal Justice

• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Deductive/Inductive Reasoning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Social Perceptiveness
• Monitoring
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices and Firearms (Police)
• Speaking
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Coordination
• Persuasion
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Reading Comprehension
• Service Orientation
• Judgment and Decision Making

Many law enforcement/policing positions require only a high school diploma as police academy training is provided; however, a bachelor's degree in Criminology, Law Enforcement or Justice Administration may make candidates more marketable. A graduate/professional degree in Criminology, Public Administration, Psychology, Cybersecurity or Law would be necessary for senior level or specialized positions.
 

• Forensic Sciences Training
• Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Criminology, Law and Society
• Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Policy, Government and International Affairs
• Juris Doctorate
• Paralegal Certificate

1. Participate in the Clearance Ready Program
2. Clean up your act! Do not do drugs. Establish good credit. Stop downloading music or videos illegally. According to Mason recruiters, up to 75% of job candidates for criminal justice/law enforcement jobs cannot pass the background investigation
3. Establish or rebuild your GPA. A strong GPA (preferably 3.5+) will help, particularly if you are interested in doing national security work (e.g., CIA, FBI) or going on to law school
4. If you are interested in applying to Law School, speak with a pre-law advisor here at Mason right away
5. Connect with alumni and employers during Government Week which takes place on campus every September
6. Use Handshake to help you find ways to add experience to your resume before you graduate through an internship or volunteer position with a federal, state or local agency

Industry Research

• The National Criminal Justice Reference Service
• The Vault CareerInsider Career Launcher Guides for Law and Law Enforcement and Public Safety include an overview of the history of the field, trends, major employers, etc.
• Discover Corrections
• Careers in Forensics
• Go Law Enforcement

Experiential Learning

• University Police Cadet Program
• Ride-Along Program
• Take on a role where you are responsible for the well-being of others or must respond to crisis situations such as a Resident Advisor, Peer Health Educator, Sexual Assault Counselor/Crisis Line Phone Operator, Security Guard or EMT
• Serve on the Mason Honor Committee or the Community Adjudication Board
• Work part-time or intern with a law firm, court system or victim advocacy organization
• Get involved with a student organization affiliated with the Criminology, Law and Society Department

Job Search

• Handshake
• USAjobs
• Intelligence.gov
• Virginia.gov
• Robert Half Legal staffing firms

Professional Associations

• Fraternal Order of Police
• American Correctional Association
• American Probation and Parole Association
• National Association of Police Organizations
• Academy for Criminal Justice Sciences
• American Academy for Forensic Sciences
• Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals

Police officers and detectives pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give warnings, write reports and maintain records of incidents encountered.

Conduct sensitive and high profile inquiries into possible violations of federal laws/regulations such as mismanagement; gross waste of funds; abuse of authority; or substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety.

Adjudicators and hearing officers conduct hearings to decide or recommend decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related concerns and prepare decisions. Determine penalties or the existence and the amount of liability, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims, or compromise settlements.

Security officers act to protect property by maintaining a high visibility presence to deter illegal and inappropriate actions, observing for signs of crime, fire or disorder; then taking action and reporting any incidents.

Forensic science technicians collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. May serve as specialist and testify as expert witness on evidence or crime laboratory techniques.

Intelligence Analysts analyze process and distill known information about situations and entities of strategic, operational, or tactical importance to assess risk to provide leaders with critical information they need to protect our nation.

Correctional officers maintain order among jailed inmates and enforce set rules and regulations to maintain safety and security for all.

Probation officers monitor and provide guidance to convicts who are released from confinement before the official end of their sentences or those on probation in lieu of a prison or jail sentence.

Paralegals assist attorneys before and during trial. Prepare for court dates such as closings, hearings and trials. Identify laws and judicial decisions to help lawyers build cases. Analyze / organize data and write summaries.

Polygraph examiners administer lie detector tests, analyze results and write reports often used in court.

Victim advocates are first-responder after crime. Attend to physical and emotional needs of a victim, witness and their immediate family, and help them navigate judicial system.

Lawyers apply knowledge of the law to advise and represent individuals, businesses, or government agencies on legal issues or disputes to advance their interests.

Criminal and forensic psychologists analyze behaviors of criminal offenders to help law enforcement solve crimes and provide expert testimony in court.