If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the world, you may have an interest in the criminal justice system. There are many ways to turn that interest into a full-fledged career—in fact, it may feel like there are too many options! Before you settle on your dream career, it can help to decide what degree to pursue.

Criminal justice and law are often seen as two sides of the same coin. Although they accomplish this in different ways, both fields are concerned with upholding the justice system. However, this presents its own dilemma: is a criminal justice degree or a law degree better? In actuality, the only way to determine which degree is “better” is to determine the best fit for you. 

Key Takeaways:

• Careers in both criminal justice and law require a motivation to uphold the justice system, but their day-to-day responsibilities can vary greatly.
• Practicing law requires a Juris Doctor (JD), while paralegals typically require less education; many entry-level criminal justice careers only require a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree can fast-track you toward a promotion.
• When choosing the right degree for you, it’s crucial to consider career options, salary and growth potential, and educational requirements you’ll need to meet.

What Is a Criminal Justice Degree? 

A criminal justice degree allows students to explore the breadth of criminal justice and criminology. At the undergraduate level, criminal justice students study the nuances of the field and prepare to take on roles in law enforcement and other criminal justice settings. Coursework for a criminal justice degree equips students with knowledge of the following topics:

• The challenges of the criminal justice system
• Ethics and morality in criminology
• Research methods and analysis of violence and crime
• Corrections theory

Beyond the undergraduate level, a master’s degree in criminal justice opens doors to additional opportunities in the field. At this level, students prepare to take on leadership roles within law enforcement, corrections, and investigative work.

What is a Law Degree?

Most people who say they’re pursuing a law degree are referring to a Juris Doctor (JD). This is a graduate-level degree that takes three years to complete when enrolled full time (for part-time students, it may take five to six years). Typical law school coursework covers constitutional law, criminal law, ethics, evidence, and elective courses in various sub-fields.

What many people don’t know is that a JD is not the only law degree you can pursue. Other types of law programs include:

• Graduate certificates in legal studies or U.S. law
• Master’s degree in legal studies
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies

While these degree and certificate programs allow you to hold many jobs in the legal field, it’s important to note that a JD is required to be a practicing attorney.

Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice vs. Law

While criminal justice and legal professionals often intersect in their work, these fields offer different career opportunities. If some of these options appeal to you more than others, that may help you decide on the best degree for you.

Careers with a Criminal Justice Degree

Most people think of police officers when they think of careers in criminal justice. However, a degree in criminal justice can lead to a much wider range of job opportunities than you might expect. Some potential careers include:

• U.S. Marshal
• FBI or CIA Agent
• Private Investigator
• Corporate Investigator
• Crime Analyst
• Victim Advocate
• Forensic Psychologist

Another career option in criminal justice is becoming a university professor. As a professor, you’ll apply your knowledge to conducting research, shaping the next generation of criminal justice professionals, and enacting positive change in the field. While you’ll need a graduate or doctoral degree to become a criminal justice professor, it’s a worthwhile investment—particularly if you have a passion not just for upholding the justice system, but for improving it.

Careers with a Law Degree

With a JD, you can pursue a career as a lawyer in varied practice areas. For example, if you’re interested in criminal law, you can become a prosecutor for the local, county, or state government. You may also consider becoming a public defender (representing those who can’t afford legal representation) or a private criminal defense lawyer who specializes in financial or white-collar crime. Outside of criminal law, attorneys can also work in varied practice areas. These include:

• Advertising law
• Bankruptcy law
• Entertainment law
• Real estate law
• Taxation law

If your interests lie in legal studies as opposed to earning your JD, then a career as a paralegal or legal assistant is another option. Paralegals possess knowledge of the legal system and assist attorneys with daily tasks, such as client communication, document preparation, and research. They play a crucial role in any firm setting.

Salary and Job Outlook

When deciding between criminal justice and law, comparing potential salaries and job outlook may sway you in one direction over another.

Criminal Justice Salary and Growth Trends

Salaries for criminal justice graduates vary depending on your eventual career. For correctional officers, the median salary was $57,950 in 2024. On the higher end, supervisors of police and detectives, information security analysts, and security managers can earn $94,000-98,000 annually.

Growth trends for police officers and private detectives are projected at 4-5% by 2033, which is average for all occupations. Even with employment growth declining for correctional officers and bailiffs, about 31,000 openings are projected each year.

Legal Career Salary and Growth Trends

While salaries for lawyers are overall higher than many criminal justice careers, this isn’t without its downsides. In 2024, the median salary for lawyers was $151,160. However, many lawyers work more than 40 hours per week and struggle to maintain a work-life balance. For some people, a high salary may not be worth these sacrifices.

Like the criminal justice field, the projected outlook is average for lawyers, judges, and hearing officers. Employment growth for paralegals is predicted to only increase 1% by 2033, which is much slower than other occupations. While becoming a paralegal remains a viable career path, it’s important to consider how the adoption of AI and other advanced technologies may reduce the need for paralegals.

Educational and Training Requirements

While overlap exists between law and criminal justice, one of the biggest differentiators between the two fields is the educational requirements needed to pursue these careers.

Criminal Justice Educational Requirements

Criminal justice educational requirements will vary depending on your career path of choice. To become a police officer, you may only need a high school diploma or associate degree. If you want to move into higher ranking positions, a bachelor’s or master’s degree provides you with more advanced knowledge of criminal justice.

Given that a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice covers the basics of the field, it’s an advantageous degree when applying for entry-level positions. Once you reach the graduate level, most degree programs expand and take on an interdisciplinary approach. Students can explore the intersection of sociology, criminology, psychology, and law, which prepares them to advance their careers in criminal justice.

Law Educational Requirements

For someone to practice as a lawyer, they must earn their JD and pass the bar examination in the appropriate jurisdiction. However, you don’t have to be a lawyer to work in the legal field! For example, most paralegal positions require an associate or bachelor’s degree. This makes the educational barrier of entry much lower than positions that require a graduate degree.

Another option for those interested in the legal field is a master’s in legal studies. While you can’t practice law with this degree, it’s perfect for professionals who want to increase their understanding of legal issues. This may be advantageous for someone who works closely with their company’s legal department in their role.

How to Choose the Right Career and Degree for You

It’s normal to experience indecision and anxiety when choosing a career—and sometimes choosing a degree program is even more stressful. Making your choice will require reflection on your passions, your skills, and what you see yourself doing every day in your career. For example, legal work typically takes place in an office, whereas criminal justice may have you on-the-go or roaming the city. Given these different settings, you may be suited to one field over the other.

When choosing between a criminal justice degree and a law degree, it’s also a question of breadth vs. depth in many ways. A JD will provide you with extensive legal knowledge and allow you to practice as a lawyer, but it’s also focused more narrowly on the legal field. With a criminal justice degree, you won’t be able to represent clients in a courtroom—but you’ll gain a much broader understanding of the criminal justice system. This gives you ample flexibility to pursue many jobs in criminal justice.

How UC’s Criminal Justice Program Prepares You to Succeed

Ultimately, if you’re set on becoming a lawyer, then law school is the way to go. However, if you still aren’t sure what career you’d like to pursue, then a criminal justice degree could be an equal or better fit for your goals.

At the University of Cincinnati, you can earn a Master of Science in Criminal Justice 100% online in as little as two years. Our flexible, asynchronous program is geared toward current criminal justice and law enforcement professionals. Best of all, it’s taught primarily by the same faculty as our on-campus programs, ensuring that you receive a high-quality education at your own pace.

Want to Learn More about Accelerating Your Criminal Justice Career? Talk to UC for Personalized Support!

Now that you understand your options in both law and criminal justice, you hopefully have a clearer idea of where you want to take your career. You may also have more questions before you’re ready to make a final decision. If so, you can contact an Enrollment Advisor today and get answers!

Balancing school and protecting your community is no easy feat. Let UC’s dedicated online staff help you do it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I study law or criminal justice?

It depends on what career options interest you the most and your ideal work environment. Most jobs in the legal field take place in an office, whereas criminal justice jobs are available in a variety of settings.

Do I need to go to law school to work in the legal field?

No. While you need to go to law school to become a lawyer, other jobs in the legal field don’t require a JD. These include legal assistant and paralegal roles.

What’s the difference between criminal law and criminal justice?

Criminal law is a practice area within the legal system that focuses on trying and prosecuting criminal cases. Criminal justice is the broad term for the justice system and the professionals who uphold its values.