Continuing Education for Criminal Justice
Besides a criminal justice degree, your field will most likely require you to continually acquire technical training and other education to stay current with developments in the profession. To advance in your criminal justice career, to a higher salary or a leadership role, continuing education is essential.
There are many criminal justice continuing education opportunities, both online and on-site around the country. Here are some examples:
- The US Department of Justice maintains a searchable database of federally-funded training programs and courses available to current state and local law enforcement personnel. Search by topic for a clearer idea of continuing education for law enforcement professionals.
- The American Probation and Parole Association provides many formats of training including on-site, online courses, and project-based training. There are courses in topics like emergency planning, juvenile sex offender management, and occupational Spanish.
- The Northeast Counterdrug Training Center provides nearly 50 courses each year for law enforcement personnel, in subjects like basic warrant execution and criminal street gang identification.
- The Texas Engineering Extension Service offers many Department of Homeland Security-funded courses, both online and on-site, in cyber security, inmate rights, leadership during crisis, and threat assessment.
- The Transportation Safety Institute teaches many classes around the country that are relevant to law enforcement personnel and others with criminal justice backgrounds. Courses include seminars in public transit hijackings and youth alcohol enforcement.
These opportunities are generally for new and established professionals, not students. Federally-funded programs are free, and for other programs, your employer will sometimes cover the cost of your training. Ask your employer about training benefits available to you.
Additional, membership in a professional organization, such as the American Criminal Justice Association, will give you access to events, programs, and seminars, both regional and national, that can provide opportunities for training and networking with other criminal justice professionals.