Career Overview
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Also Known As
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Criminal Justice Professor
- Professor
Alternate Job Titles
- Adjunct Criminal Justice Instructor
- Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor
- Adjunct Instructor
- Adjunct Professor
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- College Faculty Member
- College Professor
- Criminal Justice Adjunct Instructor
- Criminal Justice Assistant Professor
- Criminal Justice Associate Instructor
- Criminal Justice Faculty Member
- Criminal Justice Instructor
- Criminal Justice Professor
- Criminal Justice Specialist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Instructing
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Integrity
- Social Orientation
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Body wire recording devices
- Carousel slide projectors
- Compact digital cameras
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Computer projectors
- Conference telephones
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital calculators
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Electroshock weapons
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,640 |
| Median | $71,470 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $143,130 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 13,560
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Median Salary: $126,650
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $82,540
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $94,680
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $72,090
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $76,210
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.