How to choose online courses to prepare for criminal justice jobs
Careers in criminal justice tend to fall into three categories: law enforcement, corrections, and court law. Each branch has a high demand for new talent. Wisconsin students who want to become federal agents, police officers, prison guards, or judges should all get started with the right high school classes offered online by eAchieve Academy.
Our curriculum covers everything you need for an eventual career in criminal justice. Sign up for part- or full-time classes in science, math, English, social studies, and plenty of electives. We have AP classes to improve your GPA and earn early college credit. By taking eAchieve classes in high school, you can prepare for a criminal justice college and your eventual career.
Criminal investigator roles are one of the main reasons high school students become interested in the criminal justice field. Demand for qualified criminal investigators (which can include detectives, crime scene investigators, special agents, and more) is predicted to increase in coming years. To become a criminal investigator you should choose classes that help you develop the required skills for crime scene investigation.
How to Start a Career in Criminal Justice in Wisconsin
If you’re interested in starting a career in criminal justice in Wisconsin, eAchieve Online K-12 School can provide the foundation you need to achieve your goals. A career in criminal justice can involve a wide range of roles, including law enforcement, corrections, and legal advocacy. To get started, you’ll typically need to earn a degree in criminal justice or a related field, gain experience through internships or work experience, and meet the requirements for certification or licensure in your chosen field. At eAchieve, we offer a variety of courses in social studies, government, and legal studies to help prepare you for a criminal justice program in college. Additionally, we offer specialized programs in areas such as forensic science and criminal law to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need for success in this exciting field. Our experienced faculty and personalized attention can help you build the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in criminal justice. If you’re ready to pursue a rewarding career in criminal justice, eAchieve can help you get started on your path to success. Learn more about how our free online school for Wisconsin students works, or view info on enrollment.
Preparing For Your Career
Several Criminal Justice careers require additional schooling and training beyond college graduation. Police academies and law schools are the two most common examples. eAchieve Academy career-planning resources help our students find the right path for their academic and career goals.
Taking a challenging combination of regular, honors & AP classes and always striving for the best grades possible will help you prepare for even bigger challenges in college and look good on your applications.
Our specific online criminal law course prepares and introduces high school students to the current operations of our legal system. You’ll get an overview of constitutional law, law enforcement, the trial system, and corrections.
Program Admissions Process
After high school you’ll want to get into college to get a Criminal Justice degree. eAchieve Academy graduates have been accepted into colleges and universities across the United States. We’ve even had students accepted at international institutions. While some police academies only require a high school diploma, many prefer four-year degrees. Law schools require all students to have undergraduate degrees.
Additionally, eAchieve Academy has electives and service-learning courses to maximize your transcript for colleges. Our optional classes cover music, art, cooking, astronomy, and foreign languages. These classes look great on a transcript and give you a chance to expand your skills.
Recommended Classes For Criminal Justice
View Full Course ListScience Courses
Law enforcement agents often deal with science while investigating crimes. They need to know a wide range of forensic science, biology and chemistry. eAchieve has introductory and advanced classes to teach high school students interested in Criminal Justice.
Biology and Chemistry are two commonly required classes for Criminal Justice majors. Take the eAchieve classes in high school to get a head start on your college planning. Introductory Biology is available for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade while Chemistry classes are limited to grades 10-12. Chemistry has one prerequisite, Algebra 1. AP Biology and AP Chemistry courses are available for students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.
Anatomy and Physiology is recommended for anyone who wants to deal with forensic investigations. There are two prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry.
Math Courses
Math is essential in practically all criminal justice work. It’s recommended that students have a strong math background before pursuing a degree and/or career in criminal justice. Solid math skills will help you with things like collecting, analyzing & interpreting data, investigating traffic accidents, reconstructing crime scenes and more.
To build a functional foundation in the types of math skills required for criminal justice jobs, high schoolers should take algebra, statistics, and calculus. If you aren’t ready for all of these math classes in high school don’t worry – you can still give yourself a head start in college and/or the workforce by mastering the level of math you’re in, and considering how specific techniques apply to real-life problems in a criminal justice context.
Health & Physical Education Courses
If you plan to become a field agent for a law enforcement agency, you’ll need to be in great shape. Police officers and investigators need to be able to track down clues and chase after suspects. Health and PE classes from eAchieve teach you about general fitness.
English Courses
Writing is an important part of the legal system. Police reports, legal rulings, and warrants all need to be well-written. eAchieve English classes cover writing and reading comprehension. Lawyers and judges in particular need to be skilled writers.
Foreign Language Courses
Knowing multiple languages can expand your job opportunities in law enforcement. Many courts and law enforcement agencies need bilingual (or trilingual!) agents. eAchieve language classes include beginner and AP-level Spanish, French, and German. Knowing these languages can open you up to international law enforcement opportunities.
If you plan on going to law school, a Latin course will help you better understand legal terminology. Since law school admissions are competitive, you’ll want every advantage possible. The study skills you learn from eAchieve can be applied to studying for your LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
Information Technology (IT) Courses
Cybercrime needs cyber security solutions. Become the first line of defense with a computer-based Criminal Justice career! eAchieve Academy has multiple IT classes available for high school students. Classes cover programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JAVA.
Advanced students are welcome to take AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. These classes expand to the Python programming language.
Social Studies Courses
Social studies courses are designed to give you a broader understanding of how the world works. Courses covering social issues, world history, government, and criminal law are all recommended for future Criminal Justice workers.
Types of Criminal Justice Careers
General Criminal Justice
- Conservation officer, park ranger, or DNR officer
- State trooper
- Sheriff
- US marshal
- Correctional officer
- Bailiff
- Probation or parole officer
- Juvenile corrections officer
- Crime scene investigator (CSI)
- Crime analyst
- Fire investigator
- Computer forensics investigator or information security officer (ISSO)
- Private investigator
- Security guard
- Emergency dispatcher
Police Officer
- Local police officer
- State police officer
- Deputy Sheriff
- Border patrol agent
- Detective
- Evidence/Crime lab technician
- Firearm examiner
- Intelligence analyst
Federal Law Enforcement
- FBI
- CIA
- NSA
- DEA
- ATF
- ICE
- Homeland Security
- Secret Service
Detective
- Homicide detective
- Narcotics detective
- Forensic detective
- Cold case detective
- Computer crime detective
- Private investigator
- Fraud analyst
- Loss Prevention professional
The Benefits of Working in Criminal Justice
Helping Others
Helping Others
Criminal justice careers give you the ability to utilize your strengths and your specific skills to help others and create a greater good in your community.
Job Stability
Job Stability
Jobs in criminal justice and criminology often offer an unmatchable level of job security and stability as long as you remain true to the ethical standards.
Engage Your Brain
Engage Your Brain
Today's law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals have to think fast, adapt, and be ready to meet any challenge that comes their way.
Health & Retirement Benefits
Health & Retirement Benefits
These jobs are often physically demanding, they come with the means to help you stay healthy. These careers also come with great retirement benefits.
Amazing Experiences
Amazing Experiences
Every day on the job comes with its own unique rewards. Most careers in criminology and criminal justice offer experiences most can't even prepare for.
Easy Transition
Easy Transition
Many jobs within the criminal justice field make for an easy transition for those who are retiring from the military and looking for their next career path.
Meet Our School Councelors
Enrolling in online school can be a difficult transition for students transferring from traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Students are expected to be more independent and self-disciplined. Virtual education requires a broader skillset than traditional schools. eAchieve Academy gives every student access to counselors throughout their online academic career.
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