The Branches of the Criminal Justice System
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
What Are the Branches of the Criminal Justice System?
The criminal justice system requires a vast and complex network of individuals and agencies working together in order to function as designed. The three primary branches of the criminal justice system are generally described as law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Law enforcement investigates crimes and brings cases into the system, courts handle prosecution and adjudication, and corrections administers sentences and supervises people in correctional settings or the community.1,2
Understanding these criminal justice branches can be a useful first step when considering where your interests fit within the larger system.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement represents the point at which many cases enter the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies investigate crimes, identify suspects and apprehend individuals suspected of criminal activity.1
For students whose interests center on investigations and evidence, the law enforcement side of the system may also connect naturally with study in forensic science.
Courts
After a case enters the system, prosecution, pretrial proceedings, adjudication, and sentencing may take place through the courts. Prosecutors may decide whether and how to pursue charges, while judges or magistrates make decisions that can include bail, pleas, case disposition, and sentencing.1
Students interested in the legal and investigation process may therefore want to understand how evidence is gathered, evaluated, presented, and used within criminal proceedings.
Corrections
Corrections involves the supervision of people who have been arrested for, convicted of, or sentenced for criminal offenses. It includes institutional settings such as jails and prisons as well as community corrections.1,2
For those whose interests lie primarily in working within correctional settings, the corrections branch may be particularly relevant.
Potential Career Paths Within Each Branch
The criminal justice system includes a wide range of functions, from law enforcement and corrections to investigative and administrative work.
Potential career paths related to the field may include Customs and Border Protection officers, police identification and records officers, forensic science technicians, correctional officers and jailers, first-line supervisors of correctional officers, loss prevention managers, regulatory affairs managers, and compliance managers.
Career requirements vary by occupation and employer, and earning a degree does not guarantee employment or qualification for a particular position.
How to Choose a Criminal Justice Specialization
Criminal justice degree specializations can be important for several reasons. For students who want to pursue a career path in a specific segment of the justice system following graduation, a specialization can help lay a strong foundation. By focusing on knowledge and practice directly related to the sector in which they intend to work, students can spend more time and energy developing a specific set of relevant skills. Those looking to advance in their current career can likewise use a specialization to tailor course work to their particular goals and existing experience.
If you're deciding on how to choose a criminal justice specialization that may be right for you, first ask which of the following areas interests you the most.
Criminal Justice Specializations
AIU's current Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice options include:
The General Criminal Justice Track is offered in lieu of a specialization and allows students to select five Criminal Justice electives from the available specialization coursework.
Do You Need a Degree and Can You Earn It Online?
Educational requirements in criminal justice vary considerably by occupation and employer. For example, correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and correctional officers typically receive training at an academy before being assigned to a facility.3 Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree, although some positions may accept an associate degree.4
An online degree can provide another way to pursue a criminal justice education without changing the importance of factors such as curriculum, accreditation and academic quality. For students balancing school with work, family or other responsibilities, online study may also offer greater flexibility than a traditional campus schedule.
Moving Between Branches
Experience in one part of the justice or security field does not create an automatic pathway into another. Someone considering moving from security into corrections, for example, should compare their education and experience with the requirements of the specific correctional employer and position they are considering. Correctional officer requirements may include a high school diploma or equivalent and academy training, while other correctional occupations can have different educational requirements.3
Likewise, someone interested in entering law enforcement should review the requirements of the specific federal, state, or local agency rather than assuming that earning a degree by itself satisfies all hiring or training requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
The criminal justice system is commonly described in terms of three main components: law enforcement, courts and corrections. Law enforcement investigates crimes, courts handle prosecution and adjudication, and corrections administers sentences and supervises individuals in correctional settings or the community.1
For AIU's BSCJ, potential career paths may include: Customs and Border Protection officers and police identification and records officers, while forensic science technicians may support investigative work. Within corrections, correctional officers and jailers and first-line supervisors of correctional officers may be potential career paths. Requirements vary by occupation and employer.*
* AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of potential career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.
A criminal justice degree can provide education related to the justice system, but requirements depend on the employer and role. Correctional officers and jailers are among the potential career paths AIU identifies for criminal justice majors, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that correctional officers typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive academy training.3
It depends on the occupation. Some positions may require a high school diploma or equivalent and training, while others require or typically call for college education. For example forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree.4 Prospective applicants should review the qualifications for the specific occupation and agency they are considering.
No criminal justice degree guarantees employment or qualification for a particular position. When comparing degree programs, consider the branch or occupation you are interested in, the program curriculum, and the education, training, or other qualifications required by the specific employer or agency.
Explore AIU’s Criminal Justice degree programs and find an option that aligns with your interests, academic goals and preferred way to learn.
1 Bureau of Justice Statistics. “The Justice System.” <https://bjs.ojp.gov/justice-system> (visited October 15, 2026).
2 Bureau of Justice Statistics. “Corrections.” <https://bjs.ojp.gov/topics/corrections> (visited October 15, 2026).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs, at <https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm> (visited October 15, 2026).
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Forensic Science Technicians, at <https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm> (visited October 15, 2026).
AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
REQ2262575 09/2026