What High School classes are needed to get into a Criminal Justice college or university degree program?
If you are planning on a Criminal Justice degree in college than you may want to consider taking specific classes while still in high school. But I know, and so do the colleges and universities nationwide, that 99.9% of high schools don’t directly offer courses related to the CJ field. This is okay! You don’t have to worry about getting into a Criminal Justice degree program if you don’t have the opportunity to take the classes in high school.
If you have an opportunity to pick courses, pick those that directly relate to Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement… duh! You know that! But, here are other topics that may help you choose your high school classes:
- politics
- current issues
- psychology
- sociology
- political science
- international affairs
- public policy
- international relations
Most importantly, make sure to keep your grades as close to an “A” as possible. Try to join organizations, teams, and after-school groups (this will look very good on your college app).
Get to know your teachers and keep contact with them (even after your freshman or sophomore years — these first teachers in high school can be very helpful to your cause). When it’s time to apply to a Criminal Justice school you can ask them for letters of recommendation, to check your application, or the entrance essay to the program.
Just so you know, not all schools require letters of recommendation or an entrance essay. This is usually needed for Master and PhD level programs.
If you are in your junior and senior year, you should start looking for Criminal Justice programs, as you should apply to more than one school. You would be surprised how many high school students never get into college because of this very reason.
Your chances of getting into a Criminal Justice program may be higher if you complete these steps. Most of your peers don’t even think that far ahead. So with that in mind, you should be just fine in your quest of getting into some of the best Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Forensic Science, Public Administration, and Foreign Policy degree programs.
The Criminal Justice Online blog has the info on schools and even offers search options in your quest of pursuing the best college education. So stick around and good luck!
Radek holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He is currently doing consulting work and runs this blog to provide relevant information on criminal justice degrees, colleges and related careers.
hey im a 10th grader interested in criminal justice my school offers a intro to sociology/psychology should i take it my junior or senior year and would u recommend any other classes?
Victor, you’re on the right track taking the intro to sociology / psychlogy class. I don’t know exactly what courses your high school offers, but besides the ones mentioned in the blog post above, you should consider an American History class. It’s broad, but it will give you some hints about the Criminal Justice system as it was in the past. This so called “boring” class can give you insights into the present Law Enforcement field.
Even if you don’t have the chance to take these classes you should be in the clear towards further criminal justice education or work in the law enforcment field, granted you take your grades seriously and other factors (above) seriously.
Hope this helps. If you need any more info with anything just let me know.
– Radek
hey I’m a sophmore and i am interested in becoming a csi wgat are the classes i should take while i’m still in highschool?
You don’t need to take any additional classes, but if you can take these, they can help you in the CSI field:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Math classes
The Crime Scene Investigation field is very science based, so courses like those above can help you in pursuing your choice of study. I know that some of these courses may be scary, but taking them now will help you immensely in most of the hard courses in college since you will be prepared for all the cool science stuff like: bullet trajectory analysis, blood splatter analysis, finger print and palm print analysis, and other forensic stuff.
Hello…I’m a sophomore and im currently enolled in the iT prgram. its the one with computer graphics. i don’t know if i should take computer graphics 2 and multimedia 1 or multimedia 1 and 2. ??
In regards to Criminal Justice and IT, I would take both multimedia classes if you want to work in IT security or related fields.
Hello…I am a sophmore this upcoming August and I would like to join the Military after college. I am thinking about majoring in Criminal Justice and then after I give so many years to the military, I would go and try to find a job as a cop and work my way up to a homocide detective. With having my degree in Criminal Justice and having Military experience would I still have to be a cop or could i just be a homocide detective.
Hi Ashley,
Congratulations on the path you are considering – it’s a noble one.
Even with all the education and experience under your belt you would still have to become a police officer first at majority of police departments (more like 99.9% of them). The good news is that many police departments allow you to take the detective exam after you complete your probationary period (6-18 months).
The reason detectives get paid more and get to wear civilian clothing is because they know what it is to be a police officer first. It may seem unnecessary now, but it is an integral part of the job.
Advice: If you find that you can’t wait a few years to become an investigator, try to apply with your local, county, or state investigation agency… heck with your experience you can apply to places like DEA, FBI, and ICE. I know that in Wisconsin, for example, there is an agency called Wisconsin Department of Justice (WIDOJ). Up until this economic recession, I have seen openings for a position that is investigative in nature for persons with a college degree and professional experience (professional experience – is job experience, and often equates to ANY job experience). Try looking at your such agencies and see what is the scope of their work and where you would fit in. Then, AIM and FIRE.
Good luck!
Hello, I am currently going to the 10th grade and I would like to ask what colleges are best for Criminal Justice and related fields? Are there classes in school I should take to prepare myself and are there college courses I should take to more futher ahead?
Sophomore year is a good time to start thinking about your academic future. Kudos to you Alana!
There are so many great schools out there, and the list of best schools depends on the state you are planning on attending college in. Within the upcoming weeks and months I should be posting a list of what I call “BEST” criminal justice schools. Stick around for that. In the meanwhile, see some of the blog posts under the “Colleges & Universities” category. They will give you an insight into which schools may be great. Also, you can use U.S. News and World Reports, as well as The Princeton Review, to look for great colleges and universities that offer Criminal Justice degree programs – you might want to start searching at the graduate level on U.S. News as I know there’s an option to find Criminology schools. Even though these schools are often for Master and PhD candidates, they are usually the schools you might want to attend in your undergrad (it’s not always the case, but for the most part it is).
My advice for classes stays the same. If you can take any criminal justice related classes from genres listed above than you are prone to discover what you will like in college. I highly recommend any classes that teach you about human relations, psychology, history, and even biology or chemistry if you would like to consider working in the crime scene investigation (CSI).
If you have the chance to take any of the courses listed in this post, or in this reply, then you will be above and beyond the rest of your peers. If you don’t have such an opportunity, try going to your local college, university, or community college to see if you can sit in on a lecture (or a few). You would be surprised how many professors would welcome the idea of a high school student SO VERY MUCH interested in their own future and subject matter (Criminal Justice). Hope this helps.
Good luck Alana!
hey…i am now an 8th grader and i love forensic science. i would like to know what classes i could take in high school that would be helpful for college.
it also may be helpful if i could get some college ideas so i am prepared. no private colleges though please!!!
thnx 4 ur time
alex
Alex,
Forensic Science is an awesome criminal justice field. I would take lots of chemistry and biology courses if I were you. These, and other high school science courses, have the potential to get you prepared for college courses in Forensic Science.
As for college ideas…
1. Choose wisely
2. Go for state schools (much cheaper)
3. Going private is not bad if you can get a scholarship – some of the best schools are private
4. Keep in touch with your HS teachers to help guide you into the career path and college that you want
5. Check out the posts in the new section under Best Criminal Justice Schools for some really good college ideas (more coming soon)
6. Use outside resources like U.S. News, The Princeton Review, and etc.
7. See the list of the Best PhD Schools and Programs to gauge which undergrad schools you might want to attend
I hope this helps. Good luck to you!
hey i want to be a CSI agent or an autopsy person what classes in highschool and middle school do i need to take
Morgan,
You should consider biology and chemistry courses. Also, if your HS has anatomy classes take as many of them as possible.
Hey, I am in 9th grade and am immensely interested in forensic science. I was curious What colleges ( preferably universities if possible) present the criminal justice courses in Canada ( Preferably Ontario) or are within a few hours from the boarder….
Thanks
Hey.. I am in the 11 grade and i want to become an undercover cop what should i take in college what classes are required in college to become an undercover cop?
Any college degree program can help. To become an undercover cop you first have to become a police officer, then you usually get promoted or assigned to a special unit where you would do undercover work. Not all departments have these special units.
Hey I’m a junior in high school and i really enjoy forensic science, i was wondering if there are any classes online that i could take that could help me with a career in forensic science while i’m still in high school. i have taken physical science, biology, currently in chemisty, and next year i’m taking physics. plus i have taken algebra 1 parts one and two, geometry, this coming semester i’ll be in algebra 2, and next year i’ll either be in advanced math or math essentuals. i have looked into it and so far all i have found is classed that i can take after i turn eighteen or after i graduate. do you know of anything i can do?
-Thanks!
To be honest I don’t know any online classes that would be available to anyone under the age of 18, unless prior permission was given by the school or training company – and your parents. The classes you’re taking now are great and will really help you with your journey towards a Forensic Science degree. If you find anything let us know.
Actually I applied for University of Phoenix Online and they have a program just for juniors still in high school. I’m not sure exactly what all it is yet but they have one.
Thanks !
Hope all goes well. Let us know if you like it.
Hi me again… when you become a police officer how much do they make for there first year when you patrol a big city like los angeles? What kind of beneifts do police officers recieve? Do you have to also pay to attend the police academy or do they pay you? and how long is it?
Los Angeles police officers are some of the highest paid in the nation — even more than those working in New York City or Chicago —
If you plan on working in a metropolitan city you’ll definitely start over $42,000 – Los Angeles should be significantly more. Usually when you start you get starting pay for when you go to the police academy (ie. $42,000, or more, in most cases). When you’re done with the police academy, you’ll most likely get a significant raise right away – several thousand dollars – (police academy should last 6 months).
You wouldn’t have to pay for going to the police academy in a metroplitan city or state agency, for example – they pay you. However, smaller towns and rural counties often ask that you pass a state sponsored certification on your own time and dime. It’s not very expensive, but you wouldn’t get paid for it if you had to go this route. The pay in smaller municipalities and rural counties is much smaller, but that shouldn’t stop you if you like to live in the country. It’s a lifestyle choice.
Hope this helps and to find out more about what a specific police department has to offer try Googling it using the name of the city / town / county / state AND police department / sheriffs office / state police:
Los Angeles Police Department
Cook County Sheriff
New York State Police
hello, I am currently a freshman in high school and I am very interested in having a job as a crime scene investigator. I’m wondering what classes I should take to prepare me for a criminal justice program. I’m would also like to know if you have to take certain math classes to get into a criminal justice program because math isn’t one of my strong suits. Right now I’m in Algebra A, but I’m getting a better understanding of it as time goes on. Basically I am wondering if I have to take super advanced math classes at this point in time.
thank you
Those are great questions. In all, if you’re pursuing a criminal justice program, there won’t be a heavy emphasis on Math. However, as any accredited college or university would tell you, chances are you’ll have to take Math classes in college regardless of the program. Whether you take Criminal Justice, Business, or History in college as a degree, you’ll still have to take some math. So any advanced math that you can tackle now can help you later.
If you go to the CAREERS section of this blog you’ll notice that I recently added over 10 articles on forensic careers, including the one of a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI). You should be aware that a CSI relies on Math, Geometry, and Trigonometry concepts, as well as Statistics in order to examine and present data from the crime scene. Now that I’ve said that, that doesn’t mean you’ll be doomed in college, but some Mathematics would help.
Taking a Criminal Justice degree does not prepare you as well as taking the Forensic Science route for your degree. If you truly know that the CSI career is the ONLY thing in life you would like to do, then you should really consider the Forensics. If you are interested in ALL aspects of crime, perhaps a CJ degree alone or a CJ degree with a minor in Forensic Science will do. This will become your decision when it’s time to pick your program of study.
As for Math troubles, I recommend asking your teacher for some help or getting a tutor. Other than that, when you’re in college, Math will be a small dent in all the cool courses you’ll be taking. Maybe by then you’ll get a little bit better and this whole fiasco can be a funny memory. Let us know how things go. I wish you all the best : )
Hello my name is Alana and I am living in Guyana but I will be migrtaing so to Canada.Anyhow I would like to start prepare myself for career in Forsenic Science and I would like your advice.Can you help me????
Well, that depends, what’s your question?
I am a junior in high school and im uncertain of what career field i want to go in. I want to be a lawyer but also a crime scene investigator. I am just about to be done with street law as a class and im going to be taking sociology next semester. Im not sure which i would like better and i have no clue where i should go to law school either. any help??
If you can, try taking some pre-law classes to get a better glimpse about what it is to be a lawyer. Think of it this way, law school is far far away… you have to get a Bachelor’s degree first. When it’s time to look for law schools try U.S. News and World Report.
I can’t help you decide which career path would be best for you. Only you can do that. Both careers are in the criminal justice realm, but they are very different in work duties and pay – just to name a few differences. Try reading more about each profession, taking classes, and keep asking questions. To get you started you can check out the “Careers” section – on top – to see a glimpse of which profession entails what. Good luck with everything.
im a grade 11-12 student in a high school specialize for teen moms so i need to know what courses i need to take in high school to qualify for a degree in criminology?
Chelsy, please read the post and the replies to other comments. They are filled with nearly all possible scenarios. I think they should help. Alternatively, you should also visit the college or university website / office to find out if the school has any specific requirements. Most don’t as high school is a general form of education and academic institutions know that they can’t expect everyone who graduates from high school to be meticulously prepared for criminal justice and criminology course work. In all, I feel that the overall grades that you receive for ALL the high school courses (especially junior and senior year) are a good indicator to colleges if you would be a good fit in their criminology program. So try to keep up your grades and GPA and the rest usually flows smoothly. It’s always good to talk with a counselor at your school about career and education goals.
Math is not my best subject in my highschool career. I don’t know if I should take math 12r in my senior year. I’d rather not take the math course next year. So will a college require me to take a math course in my first year if I’m majoring in Criminal Justice?
Dan, most colleges and universities require math classes in the first year no matter if you completed Algebra and Geometry or Advanced Calculus. This is in a case of nearly all subjects (Criminal Justice, History, English, or Basket Weaving) – standard math is a given. Don’t worry too much about it though. Nearly all schools have tutoring help if you need it.
hello,
im a junior in high school and want to go into the criminal justice field. i want to major in Forensic science, Crime scene investigator and a FBI agent. I was wondering what classes i should take and if you think ANATOMY is important to take?
Take a look at the career section of the site in the top navigation menu to find out more about forensic careers. In general terms, it is wise to take more science classes like Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and etc… yes… Math, too. Forensic scientists and crime scene investigators (CSIs) use the knowledge from these courses to do their jobs. Yes, Anatomy is a great course to take if your interests lie in forensics.
Hey, I’m currently a freshman in high school and this week we are registering for classes. I have several different options for math, which i don’t enjoy, and I want to be a criminologist and I was wondering how much math I’ll need, I can eventually graduate haviing taken AP Calculus 3 or only up to AP Calculus 2. Would it be better to go ahead and get all that math out of the way?, or will I just have to take it again in college as a manditory course?
It’s nice to get all the math out of the way so it’s easier in college. Most criminal justice and criminology programs will make you take math anyway, but you can ask if there’s anyway to test out of it (either via initial test or a course specific test administered by the school – Algebra, Trigonometry, etc.). If that doesn’t work, find out if the college or university you’re going to accepts the CLEP (Google it for more info), which is a great test-out tool for college courses. I took the test while trying to get rid of some math and humanities classes in college, passed all of them, and saved myself thousands of dollars + 1/2 year from my college studies. You should definitely look into it when it’s time. Good luck, Jan!
Im a freshmen in highschool and i have been interested in being a police officer for some time now seeing as how i have been around them a bit recently because my house was broken into and they were helping out. but i was wondering if you could tell me any classes that would help me out with pursuing this. thanks.
All the criminal justice classes that you find listed in the article and comments should be more than enough to start.
hey-
i’m currently a sophomore in high school and should be graduating next January(2011), and i was wondering how long would i have to go to college to be a homicide detective? also what kinds of courses would i be taking in college? what kind of degree would i get if i did only 2 years? and kind of degree would i get if i did 4 years?
thank you for your time.
sincerely,
zainab.
Zainab, you asked some very good questions. I have answered all of them in numerous blog posts. Use the search feature to find exactly what you’ll need to do to become a detective, courses you’ll need to take in college, and more. As for a difference between a 2-year and a 4-year degree (in the U.S.), you’ll either be taking classes towards an Associate’s (2 years) and a Bachelor’s (4 years) degree.
I am currently a freshman about to pick my courses for sophomore year. I had a huge lecture at school that really opened my eyes. I really want to plan my future now, and not the end of junior year. I’m really interested in criminal justice and becoming a crime scene investigator, but I’m so confused on what courses i should pick that will help me to get into these types of colleges. I’m looking into these courses but i need to know if they’re the right choice:
Honors Geometry I (currently taking honor algebra)
Honors Chemistry (I’m currently taking honors bio)
World History II
English II
Honors Spanish III
and Honors Theology (i go to a private school)
Am i on the right track or do I need to challenge myself a little more?
and what kind of courses should i look into for junior and senior year in these subjects. Also, I’m aware that Psychology is offered in junior year. Would that help? I’m only 14 and already planning my future, but i know its for the best. Thank you for your time.
Check out the “Careers” section in the top navigation menu for info on forensic careers, including one of a crime scene investigator. Some useful info on courses is given there. Also, read through the comments in this post as they have a lot of info on courses you may want to consider. In general, forensic careers are often based on science courses like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Math.
im trying to figure out if i should sign up for college algebra/trigonometry next year…i want to go into criminal justice once i graduate from high school
So I’m in grade 11 this coming September, and I’m interested in having a future as a criminal lawyer, My school doesn’t’ offer many courses towards my career choice, but would business law be a good coarse, or history law??
A Criminal Lawyer, at least here in the US, is someone that has completed law school (after completing a Bachelor’s degree first). Since a criminal lawyer may focus on both the business side of crime and historic case law I will have to go for History. You might learn more about different cases through the historic perspective on law. If you were to practice business law, then yes, the business law class would have been great. History should be more relevant. That’s my final answer.
Hi, im going to be a senior in high school this upcoming year and im really confused about what exactly i should do to get into the criminal justice field. I want to be in the BAU but i don’t want to have to be a cop or anything before. I go to a small school and live in a very small town, and none of these classes are offered. I already take my basics at Navarro College and I will be taking my first two years there, but im not even sure what classes i should be taking to help me get into the FBI as soon as possible. Can you please help with the direction i should be going in?
My recommendation.
1. Find a regionally accredited college or university that you would be attending. I don’t know what BAU exactly stands for so the first part is up to you. Is BAU regionally accredited? If so, good!
1.a. Find a great program that will meet your needs and inquire about it with the school (in person, over the telephone, or online).
2. Read the FBI Career description on this site, and see the info you’re seeking.
3. Go to FBI.gov and find out exactly what direction you would need to go in to be considered for an FBI Special Agent position. They have an FAQ section just in case of such questions like yours.
For the most part, FBI is seeking intelligent individuals who possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. They like their recruits to be well versed in Law, Business, Accounting, Criminology, and other specialty areas. If you speak another highly desirable language (Spanish, Arabic, Russian, etc.) you may have even better chances of being considered.
hi, i am currently a sophomore and i am preparing myself for the classes i should take next year. i will be taking AP US, and also AP enviornmental studies at my school. But i am debating on taking AP Lit, because i am not sure if it is worth the time. i am preparing myself to become a business laywer and hopefully i will go to UC Davis or Berkley for my pre law. any advice on DO’S AND DON’TS?
and also i was hoping to do an internship during the summer while all my friends were having fun, but the job wasn’t exactly what i was looking for. are there any options you could recommend for summer interns or jobs that would help me in the future or just for college?
Nothing is a waste, especially if you’re going to target law schools after your undergraduate.
DO participate in extra curricular activities or clubs or internships or all of the mentioned
DO study hard and keep your GPA at high 3s +
DO get some help with the LSAT prep and try to get a high score
DO keep in touch with your college professors as they’ll be much needed in writing a sagacious recommendation.
DON’T DO anything that may jeopardize your college career and law schools admission.
Internships are a great idea, but make sure you do one that is really near and dear to you. You should take advantage of internships while in college, although right now it may not be all that bad to try one out. Law related internships, like at a law office or a government agency related to law and criminal justice, can be some you can consider.
Hi! I am currently a freshman and I am very interested in becoming an FBI special agent. My school provides sociology and Psychology classes. I plan on taking those Junior and Senior year. Will this help me if I plan to get my masters in Criminology and my bachelors in Criminal Justice . I also plan to learn a Foreign language like Japanese. I am already fluent in Spanish because that is my native language. I am also learning French. Will having these degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice help my chances in becoming part of the FBI? Also is there any other degrees that I should look into that would help me even more?
Sociology and Psychology can help when pursuing Criminal Justice or Criminology degrees. So, YES on that one.
Will these classes help you in obtaining a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice or Criminology. They probably won’t hurt, so you’ll get some constructive stuff out of these granted you grasp the concepts.
Foreign languages and FBI is like green to forest. The more the better. Spanish is a highly sought out language, despite so many Hispanic-Americans in the FBI. Japanese may be even more desirable as it is a highly specialized language with fewer FBI recruits possessing the language skill. French, sure it’s great!
Aha the all illusive which degree does FBI truly prefer. I can’t really say, and neither is the FBI. A common understanding is that Law (JD), Computer Science, Accounting, and Business degrees are of interest to the FBI. In truth, it all depends on the needs of the organization at a given moment. There are countless Criminal Justice majors who applied and many who got in – at least I’m pretty sure of that. Any additional skills, like faculty of other languages and analytical skills can make or break your application’s success. Military or prior law enforcement experience may help.
Other degrees: Law (JD), Political Science, and all the ones mentioned above can have a positive impact only if your grades / GPA follow up with strong marks.
I hope this helps you in your decision process, but ultimately it is really up to you to pick the right program for you.
Hello,
I am currently in year 9, and I would like to know what subjects I should do if I want to practice Criminal Psychology. I know it will be a lot of work and study, but I am willing. This is the first thing I’ve ever actually wanted to do. What are the main subjects I will need to focus on if I want to have the chance at Criminal Psychology?
Any Psychology related courses would be great. If you have the chance to take Criminology, that would be great too.
I am a Freshman in high school and have been interested in working in the BAU (behavioral analysis unit, previously known as BSU). What are the steps that I should take in order to reach my goal– FBI? What classes should I take in high school, what colleges should I be thinking about, do I need to attend a police academy, what degrees does the FBI look for, do I need to work my way up to FBI or be a cop first/how many years will it take, and do I need to be good at things like Biology, chemistry, or math? Thank you for your time. Also, are there more female or male FBI agents?
Sydney,
Any behavioral spots in the FBI are highly competitive. Overall, they are very competitive in the industry. You have to know your stuff and have the proper schooling for it. Your best bets would be Criminology (not Criminal Justice) and/or Psychology with Criminology aspects – college level. Unless your high school offers these I wouldn’t worry too much about it till you get to college. In high school, you can take courses like social studies, psychology, and anything that has to do with crime and human interactions.
Think only about the best colleges and universities you can get in to. At this time some of the best Criminology / Criminal Justice schools include:
University of Maryland – College Park
University at Albany – SUNY
University of Cincinnati
Pennsylvania State University – University Park
Florida State University
Michigan State University
University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League)
To see more schools check out usnews.com – a great source on rankings for all colleges & universities in the nation and worldwide. Once there, you can check out some of the best Psychology school rankings.
Once you have your Bachelor’s in hand you can technically apply to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Personally, I would at least consider a Master’s degree before doing so. So, no police academy, but once you get accepted you’ll attend FBI Special Agent training which will teach you many skills you would learn at a police academy and much more.
The FBI is vague about which degrees are best. I would imagine that if you want to specialize in behavioral analysis then you must be academically trained and may need some real-world experience or perhaps, as you put it, “working your way up”. FBI’s site has a thorough FAQ section for those considering careers at this Federal agency. I would check that out, if I were you.
Courses like Biology, Chemistry, and Math surprisingly may play a big role in your profession. Although, I probably wouldn’t freak out if you weren’t too strong in these, but do expect courses related to these in college, and more than likely, Statistics courses in Grad School.
I don’t really know if there are more female or male agents, but my supposition is that there are more male agents.
Hope this helps you. I wish you good luck.
BAU stands for Behavioral Analysis Unit…. they specialize in using Behavior Sciences to assist in criminal investigations across the country. (sometimes in other countries IF they are american citizens)
Hi, im in 8th grade and i would also like to go into the BAU. What courses in High School would you suggest i take to go into that field. (i speak Arabic, Spanish, Germin, and French)
hey, im interested on being a undercover cop but my record isnt 100% clean, can i still be a under cover cop?
you may have some trouble becoming a law enforcement officer of any kind with a criminal record – this includes most felonies and some misdemeanors. DUIs and domestic violence are often automatic disqualifies. It’s always wise to see what the agency in question allows and disallows. You can do so by going to their website, calling, or asking directly.
hello, i’m going in my junior year. i’m intrested in the criminal justice area. I loved it ever since I was young. I was just wondering if it would be good to get into the police academy before I start going to college to get my degree? What I mean is if I go to the police academy first will I have more experience with the criminal justice program?
If the police dept doesn’t require you to have any college credits, then you can start working and earn your degree while you work. So yes, it’s a feasible idea. I am sure the experience will help you in your degree program.
Hi i’m an 11th grader this year and would like to take up CJ courses. However, my school doesn’t do introductory courses or anything related to it that might help me in my prospects. Besides, there isn’t many organizations I can volunteer my services. CJ isn’t a popular course in my country so I don’t have much insights on it. I’m currently taking Chemistry, Physics, Additional Mathematics and Elementary Mathematics with Humanities and Languages.
Hi my name is Steven Csenteri and I want to be a lawyer.
I was thinking of being either a Criminal Lawyer or Family Attourney etc.
I’m not sure, now I’m already going to be taking AP World History along with a Criminal Justice class.I was thinking of adding Entrepenuership to the mix because my father told me that “that’s where the money’s at” whether this is true or not is something I can find out for myself later on. I’m also going to be taking a Law Enforcement class later on aswell(im not sure what the difference between the CJ class and the LE class, but I thought it was a safe call). I mean, I have the option to right? So, I might aswell.. I was just curious as to classes I should pick to still keep my options open or am I ok? I’m also interested in knowing whether or not I can even get into college? You see I remained a straight A student up until I found out that colleges only look at highschool grades. Around halfway through middle school I started slacking off and now I’m regretting it.. I’m capable of maintaining a 4.0 and up if a start taking advance classes again for the rest of highschool.. However is that enough? Can I still get into a good college? If so, can I get in without having to take out a bagillion dollars in loans that I might be able to finish paying when I’m 45? Am I still eligible to obtain scholarships? Full( probably not)?
I realize my question isn’t 100% on how my classes should be setup and if that’s a problem I’m sorry. I just wanted to know before I head to see a councelor and have a more in-depth/elaborate conversation.
Your help is always appreciated,
Steven
Forgive me, I has to retype that because my laptop shutoff.
The section where I talk about Entrepenuership and “that’s where the money’s at” I’m referring to being a real estate lawyer. That is one of the options I want to choose between.
If this makes it up there, thank you .
I only did just incase you don’t understand my question and I wanted to make sure I get the best possible answer :)
Hopefully it does but thanks anyway Steven C
Again please forgive me, I had it right the first time but then the computer shut off. I forgot to mention the first and second posts that I just barely passed freshmen year, only because of finals and a strong 4th quarter and that is the reason for my concern.
Sincerely,
Steven C.
Hopefully it does but thanks anyway Steven C
As you start nearing the end of high school you should heavily consider your college choices. For most students the hope of a “full ride” or even partial scholarship are very slim. Depending on the state you live in, I recommend a State University (ie. University of __________ OR __________ State University). These usually carry a lower tuition and you might wiggle out off paying loans + many State Universities are truly top notch (yes, depending on State).
Yes, there’s money in Business Law or Real Estate Law, but a high caliber Law Degree will set you a pretty penny. In my opinion, it’s worth it.
High school classes that you might want to enjoy include social studies, business, and criminal justice. Be aware that CJ is different from Law.
My advice on slacking off – DON’T. Your high school grades, GPA, and extracurricular activities will play a big role in getting into a great college or not so great college. Then, while in college, you really gotta keep your grades in the A to B+ margin (3.6 GPA +) if you are planning to hope to get into some of the leading law schools. For now, despite your mercurial grades, you should work hard to keep “A” and “B” grades until you graduate. There’s a saying in high school that the junior and senior year are the only years you have to worry about if thinking of college. Of course, that’s true and false. Many colleges look at your junior and senior grades for trends of improvement when compared to your previous years. But think about it, when you apply to college and send in your paperwork with the report cards, they’ll see all the grades.
I think that, like everything in life, prestige matters. This goes for the college and law school choices. Very often a graduate of a more prominent school will receive better job offers, promotions, and status. Never lead your whole life by this example – it tends to derail people’s perception – but be cognizant that graduating with top notch grades from an excellent academic institution = brownie points
Yes, DO sit down with your counselor – even more than one if you feel you’re running into a brick wall. The help and guidance you get can be truly invaluable. In college, don’t be afraid to seek help from your professors, too.
Hope this helps.
Hello ,
My name is Kaya and since i started middle school i have been interested in Criminal Justice , mostly in investigating. I am on my way to Grade 10 following the IGCSE curriculum . I was wondering what subjects are mainly required for becoming an crime scene investigator.
Kaya,
Check out the “Careers” section at the top of the page for information on various criminal justice careers, including: crime scene investigator.
im now in eight grade interested in becoming a detective i was wondering do have to become a cop before i become a detective? also i am trying to get into Harvard, what kind of courses and activity do i have to do in order to get in to Harvard? what in eight does it effect me in high school?
see the careers section in the top navigation. this page has the description of the detective, along with requirements, and more. But, you still have to become a police officer first before you can become a detective.
As for Harvard, you’ll probably spend most of your junior and senior year in high school worrying about it. For now, just keep your grades up.
I am currently a junior in high school. I want to be a defense attorney but i don’t know what would be the best courses to take i also was wondering which is better to major in(criminal justice) or psychology?
In high school there are no particular courses that you NEED to take, but you can start with things that pertain to law and society, for example. College is where the “ball gets rolling.” Both the Criminal Justice degree and Psychology degree can be good options. It really depends on the law school you would be applying into. What I recommend is going to the law school’s departmental page to find out their “preferences” for courses. Some schools state them, some state them vaguely, and some don’t mention prior courses/program of study as a preference at all.
Please see other pertinent info by searching for “law school” on this site. You’ll find a few articles and many helpful comments to get you going. Good luck!
Hi, im currently in tenth grade and my school offers an IGCSE system. I dont take any Chemistry or IT classes, but im interested in forensic science. Im more of a humanities person… Next year for my junior year, i have to choose four subjects in school. So im having a hard time to decide what to take if i want to study forensic medicine, can i do it without Chemistry ?
There’s nothing wrong with liking humanities, but be aware that in college you may need to know a “little something something” about chemistry, especially when pursuing forensic science. If you don’t take chemistry in high school that should not deter you from getting into a forensic science program, but it would most definitely help with your college classes. Good luck!
As I can see here you are busy with your advice to everyone..
I have a few questions.
I’m a freshman and I was seriously thinking of becoming a business Lawyer.
I don’t know too much about it all but I really want to look into it,
and from what I’m reading your the person to go to.
I’m not sure what classes I should take,
Or what I should do that would help me in the long run.
Please write back, Thanks!
First, I would speak with your high school counselor about your aspirations. These people can help out a lot.
But in general, you might want to pursue business and ethics courses. Just remember, it is the college choices that count most when applying to law school. Before you pick a major, speak with a college counselor (preferably the school you are thinking about going to) about possible major choices. I hope I’m not wrong, but I think they’ll push your towards a Business degree as a major and perhaps a minor in communications, ethics, or something you like.
When picking your first college make sure it’s regionally accredited. When picking a law school make sure that it is ABA accredited and that the college or university is regionally accredited <– Best advice you'll ever get.
I am currently a senior in high school and starting to think about what i really want to do i am very interested in becoming a DEA agent, what are the high school requirements for it?
I am currently taking psychology and sociology, am i on the right track?
Those courses are important in the criminal justice curriculum. So, if you’re looking at Criminal Justice as a field of study in college, then i guess you’re on the right track.
None. DEA is a Federal Agency that will look at your college transcripts rather than your high school ones. One thing I recommend to do in high school — an college, too — is to keep your grades up. That’s it : )
Hello , i am in 10th grade at the moment taking IGCSE in which 7 subjects are required and since i am interested in becoming a CSI i took
– Math
– Biology
– Chemistry
– Physics
– Sociology
– English Lang
– English Literature ( which i know is not that important , but i took it instead of IT )
For next year in grade 11 , the required subjects are minimum 2 and maximum 4
Taking 4 AS subjects is really difficult
so i am planning on taking 3
What i wanted to ask was which of the subjects that i am taking now should i take next year in order to help me in College ?
Thanks
If CSI is the track you’re going on, then the Sciences are your best bet: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, — I would also consider Math and Sociology as they also tie in with the career.
So as for taking the 3 subjects next year the ones most important are Bio , Chemo and Physics !? Not Math ?!
What Mathematics classes have you taken already? What math classes does your school offer? Make sure to remember that most schools require a certain number of math classes to get your high school diploma. I’m assuming Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry will be standard while you’re in high school, thus I didn’t mention math. In retrospect, Math is very very important. Let me know.
Core basiclly ; Matrices , Geometry , Sets , Equations , Trigonometry and A LOT of Algebra
I think you should be fine having to take these classes with Bio, Chemistry, and Physics. All three science classes are very important in understanding thing that happen in the criminal world everyday. Some classes you’ll like more than others, but at least they will serve as a base for what you would REALLY like to do in the Crime Scene Investigation field.
Hello, i am a sophomore in high school. and i was wondering what high school classes offer me the requirements to attend a 4 year college in computer science and criminal justice so i may pursue a career with the F.B.I.
to join the FBI, must you take four years computer science? And if so, what do you do when you’re, how should I say it, “technologically challenged”?
Good question. The best way I can answer it is that “computer science” is just one of the many degree programs you can pursue. Please see the “careers” section in the top navigation and then click through the FBI Special Agent link. There, you’ll get a better picture about the job and go to FBI.gov and see their careers section for more info as well.
hey, I’m currently a ninth grader and next year I will be heading off into tenth grade. But, I live overseas and go to an American school, the high school I’m going to offers IB(fyi, International Bacheloria) and AP courses and the option to take one or the other or both. I saw the classes listed above, would those classes apply for IB as well, or only AP? And if they are the same, should I take IB or AP or both?
Gwin,
That’s a tough question for me to answer as I am not familiar with your specific school and its system. Also, not all AP courses, for which you have to take and pass an examination, will transfer to a college or university. The courses mentioned are for general purposes only; something you can do to get acquainted with the criminal justice system. Speak with your counselor about the difference between IB and AP, which from what I remember, are not one and the same. Also, see if the college or university you want to attend will accept your AP courses. Also, when in college, consider the CLEP (Google it for more info) – it’s a great way to get credit for courses by passing a single examination.
Good luck
thanks, I’ll check it out!
Hi, i am in 9th grade and i love animals. i was little when i wanted to be a vet. then i decided to be a (k-9 police officer) cop. but i don’t know what i need to know to become a police officer. i researched it a lot. i hope you can give me advice.
thanks for your help!! :)
Also i want to know what colleges are good to go to.
what is also needed to be a cop. do i need a degree?
i was also wondering what kind of training do i need to be a police officer.
thanks for your help and time!! :)
Please see the “Careers” section, in the top navigation, of the site for plenty of information on how to become a police officer.
For Best Criminal Justice schools in US, perform a search on this site. There’s an article or two on top schools, too.
As for a degree requirement, I also wrote a peace on that. Search for: degree requirement.
Good luck.
Hi, am a 9th grader and am interested in criminal justice. And would like to work for the FBI or the CIA. What classes should i take?
Thanks
Please see the “Careers” section at the top. Everything’s there. Thanks.
hi, Would La Sierra University be a good choice to go?… Or what other Universities would be good?
I have been interested in Criminal Justice since i was very little. I want to be a CSI photographer. I am half way through my 8th grade and am looking forward to planning to excel in high school. I am the top in my class with a 4.0 every trimester since 7th grade. What are some classes that would help get in to a pre-criminal Justice (associate in Arts also AA)? (I have done a lot of research)
The answer is here, in the article and the many comments, but I would also take photography courses (privately) – this includes operation of photo editing software, like Adobe Photoshop and other industry preferred software suites.
hi my question is that im interested in majoring in criminology, but currently im doing associates in respiratory care. i wanted to ask if i want to get into criminology, do i have to get a degree in criminal justice first? and then go to a different university for criminology?
It all depends on the college or university.
I am assuming that by degree you mean Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and you would be going in with an Associate’s in Respiratory Care. For the most part, I think that the school should grant you the opportunity for a degree in Criminology. They may, however, ask you to take extra classes that will prepare you OR that are required prerequisites for the Criminology program. Again, some schools have an open mind about it and others less so.
Criminal Justice and Criminology are two separate disciplines, so in all likelihood, you won’t be needing to take Criminal Justice first. I highly recommend you speak with your adviser/dean (if you’re planning to complete Criminology at the same school) OR talk to an admissions adviser at the new academic institution. Good luck.
Hi, my names Riki. i’m a junior in high school, and I want to go into criminal justice and criminology for my BA, but then i want to go into Law, and become a lawyer.. atleast thats what I think i want.
what’re some classes that could help me out?
hey, im contreras. im a junior in high school, and i want to be an fbi agent or a pilot for the fbi, i been reading information about fbi.
i need advice, if you were me, what would you do to accomplish the dream as a fbi agent.
Hello! I am a grade 10 French immersion student, and I am looking into Criminal Law, it really interests me. And, now looking at your ‘Blog’, I am Canadian. Could you still help me for looking into schools in Canada? And, also more courses of what classes I should take. And, also for which maths? I could choose from ‘Everyday Maths’ or ‘Applied Math and Pre-Calculus’. Thank you so much for your information above.
I’m not well versed in the Canadian academic system. Sorry to disappoint.
Hello, I am currently a sophomore and I am interested in majoring in criminology. I was wondering if biology and physics would do for csi type related job (not so much in law). I couldn’t enroll in chemistry, would that effect anything?? And any other suggestions?
Criminology and Forensic Science (CSI – Crime Scene Investigation) are two different disciplines. So, majoring in Criminology will not help as much as majoring in Forensic Science (and closely related disciplines: Chemistry, Biology and Physics) would. Yes, they are connected as they both serve in the Criminal Justice System, but they serve different functions. Use the site search feature to find out more about each discipline.
Note: Chemistry is a highly desirable course if you would like to work in the Forensic field, as a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), for example. Take it if you can. Despite your ability to take it, Bio and Physics stand strong on their own merit. Also, consider specialized classes that teach you about serology, latent print examination, and bullet trajectories – to name a few.
Just for my mind’s sake, I hope you’re talking about high school classes. Because if you are, I wouldn’t worry too much (as per my article above). However, when in college you do want to take any classes that you can that pertain to your field. I am assuming that for disciplines like Forensic Science you will have to take Chemistry, Physics, and Bio and/or related courses – perhaps under different or more specific names.
Good luck, Stephanie :-)
Hello.
I am currently in grade 10. I am picking my classes for grade 11 and was wondering what courses I needed to be in the criminology department. What types of Math, Sciences, etc.
PLEASE HELP!
And also any universities I could look into … :$
Thanks :)
Same advice applies. However, if you have a chance to take courses related (closely and/or directly) to sociology and psychology, those may be of great help for Criminology college prep.
As for the universities, please click around the site. I think I wrote a few articles focusing on top universities in the US. I recommend using the search feature for best results.
Good luck Nikki.
Hi, im currently in grade 9 and im really into the Criminology/Psychology/CSI jobs. They are all really interesting, so i was wondering if there were any jobs that involve all three? And what classes would i have to take in high school that would help me get into a good collage? and what collage/university supports all three(Crim. Psy. CSI)?
Thank you so much!
-Mariah
hey…i am currently studying in an UWC IB school ,.in Waterford Kahmlaba,.in Swaziland..i am doing my last year, and i would like to know what can i do to apply to colleges with the criminal justice course…i really want to do this course because i feel so passionate about it…my current subjects are History, Business and Management, English, Environmental Systems and Societies, and Maths Studies. ….please i really need your advice…thanks in advance.
Find a great college. See if the college or university takes foreign students. Then, contact the school or follow directions on school’s website for foreign student information. Also, see if you can obtain permission to study in another country with a visa or other needed documents.
Hi, i am just going to start high school next fall and i really would want to be involved in the criminal justice field. I was wondering what requirements or classes i need to take.I know it might seem early yet but it does look interesting for me. In 9th grade I will only be in 2 honors classes, English and Civics. I am worried because I have read that you kind of have to be strong in science and math. Can you please answer this question above?^ and what electives or other classes that might help me? I want to be a detective. If you could please reply. Thank You, Shannon
Shannon,
Please read the many insightful questions and comments in this thread. Did you read the article? I’m sure I tackled the bulk of your concerns there. Most answers are on this very page.
I can assure you that taking a Criminal Justice degree is not science intensive, it may require some math, however. Since Criminal Justice is considered a sub-field of Sociology, you may get ready to work with a few statistics classes (among other, more interesting courses IMO – unless you love statistics). Now, if you are considering Criminal Justice with a Forensics minor, then, you must be ready for the possibility of both science and math being an integral part of your curriculum.
Two honors classes your freshman year is more than perfect. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself in your freshman year in HS. Try to assimilate first, and start asking for more honors classes before you start your sophomore year.
BTW, I really think you write well, especially for an 8th grader (great sentence structure, punctuation, and no spelling errors). If you can write well, you will have it so much easier in high school, and certainly, in college. Good luck.
Hello,
I’m going to be a junior this coming fall, and I’m very interested in studying criminal behavior.
what courses can I take?
psychology, sociology, and criminology would be perfect, but most high schools don’t offer these
They do offer sociology and psychology!!! Do i have to take law??? Or just the ones u mentioned?
Thank you!
Law would be an interesting course to take if you have access to it in high school. You don’t have to do anything, but if you wanted to all the courses listed + law would be of benefit.
Hey I’m a 7th grader and was wondering about a few things as to how high my GPA has to be at a minimum to get into a legitimate Criminal Justice college and things like that. Thank you for helping me this did help quiet a bit.
most colleges are legitimate, but if you want to get into a great criminal justice program, probably a 3.2 and above would work best.
hey im jenna im a freshman at palm beach lakes high and im really interested in criminology like on the tv show bones but they don’t have any thing like it at my school what should i do?
hey im a junior at my high school and im interested in criminal justice and/or criminology as possible majors in college. I have a choice to take either physics or forensic science for my senior year and while i think forensics is a better class for criminal justice, i dont think colleges will count it as a science b/c its an elective. Ive already taken earth science, bio and chem so do i need physics or should i take forensics for criminal justice?
Hi I am in grade 11 and i was wondering what math I should take in high school in order to get into a criminology program. I am not the best at math and as of right now i am taking foundations math which a lower math just below academic. Does it matter what type of math I take In grade 12? Will I still be accepted into the criminology program with a lower math?
I highly recommend all regular / honors / AP Math classes you can take – Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus (Calculus wouldn’t be bad either). But, to answer your question, you may have a chance of getting into a Criminology program, but be aware when applying into competitive programs and schools that all grades, including specific course grades, will be considered.
hey right now i am in 10th grade and i would like to be an fbi agent under the missing person part but i was wondering what are some classes that you have to take while in high school to be an fbi agent? and also i would like to know if you take these particular classes in high school does it count when you go to college?? what are the gpa that are needed to be an fbi agent? last but at least do you need some type of math classes?
Although I recommend to have your high school GPA as close to perfect as possible, it is what you do in college that will matter most.
When you take classes in high school they usually do not count as college credit, with exception of AP (advanced placement) classes for which you have to pass a test in order to have any credits considered — not all schools take AP credit. So, to be brief, probably not for large majority of students.
Please see my FBI Special Agent article for more information. You can locate it under the “Careers” section in the top user navigation.
I am currently a 12 grader and I would love to be involved in some sort of Law Career in my future. I have taken Criminal Justice 1 and am currently enrolled in Criminal Justice 2 and 3, I have also taken a forensic science class. The only problem is I have only taken basic math classes all throughout high school. Algebra, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Computer Math and my Sciences include Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. I have also taken numerous history and government classes and am enrolled in AP Psychology. Would I stand a chance at making it into a decent law school to be a low level attorney or judge? What career would you recommend that is close to those jobs with decent salary? I just am not a big math person but am good at memorizing and recalling information. Please help me? Thank you.
College is where you have to worry about going into law school (which is a graduate program), not high school; although you should try to get into a great college and pick a good major that will help you get into law school. Most people who go to law school practice law (lawyers and prosecutors are germane to law school).
i’m a high schools student that live in Georgia and i’m a junior! my school provides criminal justice/law enforcement but i can’t have my sch change for it because i have to take 2 foreign language so i can graduate from high school! can i still get in to a criminal justice college because i didn’t take criminal justice in high school!?
You should be able to. I don’t see why not?
what summer jobs should you take if you want to become a CSI and are still in high school?
heyy, my name is Bliss Tanksley and im with the U.S. Marine Core and im interested in the crime scene investigation and im a senior this year but i go to basic training next summer, but for college next year im going to get my criminal justice degree and become either and FBI agent or a detective.
Hey im a senior this year and i want know “Do I need four years of math in high school to major in Criminal Justice?”
No :-)
But, do make sure you take enough math classes in high school to meet your graduation requirement
Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m a jounior and my school has a program under the title “branching out” this program let’s kids choose extended studies outside the classroom with a mentor in the field of work they are interested in. I was planning on taking this course with a State Trooper who just happens to also be my baseball coach. Works out right? I was just wondering if this program would give me a big advantage in going to any academy to become a police officer. Also what does it take to go to an academy? (like grade wise, money wise, other sorts of things like that) and one last thing, I can’t find any academy’s around where I’m from (Vermont) so how the heck do I go about doing that? Thank you very much—Nathan
If anything, this experience would give you an opportunity to see, at least a little, what happens in certain parts of the criminal justice system and if you would enjoy this field of work. It can be of some help when applying to be a law enforcement officer, but not enough to ride it out by itself. This is where your education, character, physical capabilities and many other skills will come into play. Check out the different police careers available to you under Law Enforcement Careers section of the website.
Hallo, I’m currently a Sophomore at high school and i want to pursue a career as an FBI special agent. I know that its highly recommended that you know more than 1 language, and so far I’m fluent in English, Spanish, some German, and will be taking French this summer at a college. Also, do i still stand a chance of being accepted if im not a genius in math???
One more thing, what other classes should i take while still in high school that could help me look good in my submission papers to the FBI? as in like First Aid, Psychology, Law, etc etc.
DANKE!!
~ Isabel K. O.
I’m a junior and I’m being home-schooled. How can I prepare to become a psychologist for the Chicago police? Can I intern now or wait until I’m in college?
Hey I’m a sophomore in high school and I was just wondering a couple things. For instance what major would I need i order to have a shot at being on the F.B.I’s Behavioral Analysis Unit? I was thinking something along the lines of fixations and obsessive behaviors. Second, should I take a psychology class next year when I’m a junior? Finally, are there any sections of the F.B.I that handle serial murder cases. Such as cases with multiple victims, but have some kind of signature on them. Like a tag killer? Thanks oh so much-Ashlyn :)
Psychology or Forensic Psychology should be a great place to start. Make sure the degree is completed at a quality academic institution that is regionally accredited and has proper programmatic accreditation.
As for your next question, psychology is a great class to take in high school.
As for the sections, the FBI is divided into different ones to focus on different crimes, including murder and serial murder cases.
Hello, I’m a Sophomore and registration for next year is coming up within the next week and i’m concerned on what choice would be best. My school offers a Criminal Justice Program for four class hours a day. This program dips your fingers into what it’s like to be in that field of work. The only problem i’m having is, if I do that program i’m missing out on doubling up my classes. I could only take my four core classes, pre-calculus, english 3, chemistry, and government. I would miss out on pyschology/sociology, modern history/current issues, biology 2, and possibly bio forensics. What would your opinion be? I cannot decide.
That’s a tough one Lexi. But given your circumstance I would probably proceed with the regularly scheduled classes as opposed to the Criminal Justice program. In my opinion, they might be more beneficial and will round out your high school education. If you did have the time, on the other hand, then by all means, yes, take it! Are you going to be missing out on high school credits if you DID take this class?
As an alternative, consider asking your local community college, college or university for any upcoming open nights, seminars or an ability to sit-in on a few criminal justice classes.
If I were to do the Criminal Justice program, it is four hours out of the day and counts as four credits. (2 first semester and 2 second semester) Thanks so much for you’re advice!
Hey I am a Junior in High School and i would love to work in the field of forensic science and/or crime scene investigation. I wanted to know if their is any difference between the two, if not does it make a difference which 1 I choose?
If so which one would benefit me more? I’ve already taken a forensic science class and chemistry i will take next year.
I have also realized that Crime Scene Investigators have to become Police Officers to be an CSI member is it Mandatory?
Hi,
I am currently going to high school and i’m taking 4 french classes.
Will that look good in my college application? I’m taking law enforcement in 11th grade and forensic science in my senior year. I want to be an FBI but i was wondering if does are the right classes or if i need to change them into something else.
Thank you,
Yessica.
I have a question I am a 9th grader but my high school doesn’t have P.E is that interfering with my dream job to be a police officer?
It shouldn’t. Be aware that police officers have to be in great physical condition. So, while your high school may not offer PE, you should still keep yourself in shape.
Hi,my name is Casey…i am living in Africa, im 16 years of age and LOVE criminal justice, i would love to consider my future in criminology!!Our school does not have subjects like sociology but what we have is Physical Science, Biology, Geography, Math, Life Skills, English and Afrikaans…But i don’t know which to choose, i already went ahead and chose Biology, Math, English, Afrikaans, Physical Science and Life Skills. I don’t want to go and study in South Africa, i want to study overseas could you please give me advice, i need hope cause i need to do something with my life unlike my family??
I don’t think you have to worry about much. You have a pretty diverse line up of classes. All I can recommend is that you excel in your studies, so, your transcripts from high school look good to colleges and universities worldwide. I wish you all the best.
Hi,
I have plans to join the National Guard and my major is set to criminal jus. I wanna be a game warden, but it seem really difficult to get in that department.
any ideas?
Thank you
Hi,
So I’m interested in being a criminologist. I’m a grade 11 student, next semester I’m taking a starters psychology class. I’m just wondering what other classes i could take in order to follow this path. Do i need any specific maths? pre-cal or just foundations? And specific Sciences either? I’m taking Biology next semester too. Just let me know as soon as you can,
Thank-you :)
Hi, I’m currently in my junior year in High school and I was wondering if I take courses needed for a degree in Forensic Science in high school for example like, ◾psychology,◾sociology would I need to retake those courses again in college?
In most cases, YES, you’ll need to retake the courses in college. What taking these courses in high school should help you with is to determine if you like a particular discipline. Then, when you get into college you can pursue the field that you’re interested in. For the most part, the curriculum in college is different from the classes you took in HS. I remember that advanced placement (AP) courses that were later met with a high AP Exam score were sometimes allowed as a substitute for college credit. Whether a college accepts these AP courses that depends on their policies.
I’m a junior in high school and i took psychology and sociology already and biology and chemistry, but since my school offers AP Chemistry, AP biology and AP psychology should i take one my senior year? and if so, which one would you recommend the most?
l would like to be a crime detective but l didnt take even one stage of training or college so what must l do to on that stage?
Hi my name I Savanna. I have been reading about behavioral analysis. I am a freshman in high school I have been reading about this since I was in the fourth grade. What do you think I could do to become a BAU FBI agent, and classes and schools that I could go to, to help me become a BAU FBI agent.
In a couple of months my 10th term of High school will be over and I want to be in the Behavioral Analysis unit of the FBI. I was wondering if once I got into university and I majored (double hopefully) in Criminology and Psychology and minored in Philosophy would I have a good shot in the FBI, If I managed all of the other requirements that is. My grades are exceptional by my standards and I am in a number of organizations.
Hey I’m a sophomore in high school and I’m very interested in majoring in criminology. If I want to work more in the field, would it be better if I take AP biology or AP chemistry? I’ve already had a year of both..
Hi my name danie and i really want to be a csi but i don’t have good grades in biology (c+) and earth science (b-/+). I am a sophomore and i don’t know if having those grades would be great for getting into the field.
Hello, I’m going into my junior year, and I was wondering what other specific classes I can take to be a CBP officer? My school offers a Criminal justice, psychology, and sociology class, that I will take. Also is it required to take an Advanced placement class in biology and English?
Thanks.
Hello, I am a junior/senior in high school and am very interested in becoming a Homicide Detective. What are the high school requirements to get into a criminal justice academy? And i read somewhere that i could attend the police academy at the same time and get my police officer experience there so i can start my homicide detective career as soon as possible. Is that true?
Im in middle school and I want to be a Forensic scientist. What classes in high school would help me out with that the best?
Hello, I am in the 7th grade and all of my life I have wanted to go into criminal justice. I have kept straight A’s my entire life. I was wondering what steps I need to take to get into a good criminal justice program. Thank you for your time.