Administration of Justice
Program Description
Justice sits at the core of the American democratic system, but the work of criminal justice has never been more complex—or more visible. Today’s professionals operate in an environment shaped by rapidly evolving threats and expectations: human trafficking and exploitation networks, terrorism and domestic extremism, cybercrime and identity theft, organized retail theft, fentanyl-driven drug markets, and gang-related violence that increasingly intersects with social media and community distrust. At the same time, agencies are expected to strengthen legitimacy through professionalism, constitutional policing, ethical decision-making, and transparency—often under intense public scrutiny.
Criminal justice professionals confront these challenges daily. Whether they serve in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole, courts, investigations, private security, or forensic and analytical roles, they are tasked with preventing and reducing crime, protecting victims, supporting due process, and improving public safety. Just as important, they serve as visible representatives of the justice system—expected to be steady under pressure, fair in decision-making, and accountable to the communities they serve. In many respects, the work is about more than enforcement; it is about problem-solving, communication, conflict management, and building trust while maintaining safety.
With more than 18,000 local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies across the United States, criminal justice offers a wide range of career pathways. Some roles are front-line and highly interactive (police officer, deputy sheriff, correctional officer), while others are specialized and analytical (special agent, background investigator, crime analyst, criminologist, forensic technician). No matter the position, a career in criminal justice places you in a unique position to make a meaningful difference—both at the individual level and across the broader system.
For individuals currently working in the field, education can also translate into real advancement. Many agencies require a certain level of college coursework, a certificate, or an associate degree for entry-level hiring, career mobility, and promotional opportunities. Completing a Certificate or Associate degree (A.S.) provides that foundation by strengthening knowledge of law, policy, ethics, communication, and critical thinking—skills that agencies value and that professionals rely on every day.
Administration of Justice Department Page
Transfer Preparation
Transfer students are advised to do research on prospective majors and careers. The MSJC Transfer Center and MSJC catalog can be helpful tools. Students interested in transferring to CSU or UC campuses can access major preparation by visiting ASSIST. All students are advised to meet with a counselor at least once a semester to create or update their comprehensive education plan.
Contact Information
San Jacinto Campus
(951) 487-MSJC (6752)
1-800-624-5561
Ricardo Martinez (951) 487-3505
rmartinez@msjc.edu
Menifee Valley Campus
(951) 672-MSJC (6752)
1-800-452-3335
Ricardo Martinez (951) 487-3505
rmartinez@msjc.edu
- Demonstrate the essential qualifications for employment in the criminal justice field to include the mastery of core criminal justice principles and the ability to think critically and to speak and write effectively.
- Demonstrate an understanding of personal and civic responsibility as they apply to the criminal
justice system. - Demonstrate a critical awareness of race, cultural diversity, and inequality as manifested in the criminal justice system both locally and nationally and apply these understandings to both study and practice. This includes identifying transformative forces generating social change on a micro and macro level.
- Demonstrate the knowledge of ethical analysis, research, and practice in applying the law, as well as the
ability to reason and think critically in the application of these principles and/or laws within the criminal justice field. - Demonstrate the competency to apply criminological theory, research methods, and appropriate technology to assess, evaluate, and address both current and future issues in the practice of criminal justice.
- Demonstrate a meaningful understanding of how discretion permeates every phase of the criminal justice
system and creates ethical dilemmas for criminal justice professionals.
Discover in-demand careers and education options based on your interests! See the list of careers below or explore further by searching for Careers or Programs.
Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer. Labor market statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, O-NET, EMSI.
| Career/Industries | CA Annual Median Salary or Range | Employment Demand or Opening CA |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer (M) | $182,040 | 5,089 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SM, A) | $115,160 | 6,229 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SM, B) | $107,058 | 1,223 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SM, C, A, B) | $122,138 | 993 |
| Police Identification and Records Officers (SM, C, A, B, M) | $122,138 | 993 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (SM, A, B) | $162,739 | 1,138 |
(degree required: SM some college, C: Certificate, A: Associate degree, B: Bachelor’s degree, M: Master’s degree, D: Doctorate)