Careers

COCC Criminal Justice graduates who earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree are ready for immediate employment in several criminal justice-related fields. Career possibilities include, but aren’t limited to, positions in the fields of policing, courts, and corrections.  
  
COCC's Criminal Justice program also offers an option for students wanting to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice or a related field. Students work closely with their advisor to develop transfer plans based on their degree and career goals. Students who complete their Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree at COCC and then complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice are prepared to launch and advance careers in a wide variety of fields or apply to law school. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees are qualified for a range of careers in parole and probation, federal law enforcement, emergency management, homeland security, nonprofits, social work, and forensic investigation. A bachelor’s degree will typically elevate both pay and rank for employment in the criminal justice field.