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Homeland security agents serve central roles in safeguarding American citizens. They may be stationed in the United States or in other countries, where they oversee international affairs and national security initiatives. Agents are employed by the Department of Homeland Security and work in airports, along waterways, and at U.S. borders. At each location, agents patrol designated areas to identify risks posed by individuals and suspicious materials.

What Does a Homeland Security Agent Do?

The homeland security agent job description reads a lot like a suspense novel. Agents assess possible terror threats from individuals and groups, and they prevent people from smuggling illegal substances into the country. They also investigate and help create security technologies that keep people safe during natural disasters and terrorist attacks. To perform their jobs effectively, most agents are trained to read and evaluate intelligence reports.

Homeland security agents are stationed throughout the world, and their responsibilities and work environments vary greatly. Some of the agencies that depend on homeland security agents include:

• U.S. Capitol Police
• Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
• U.S. Secret Service
• Federal Protective Service
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Transportation Security Administration and Park Services

Many homeland security agents work in office settings where they track, assess, and follow terrorist risks. Others specialize in field operations and scout for illegal activity at U.S. borders. Patrolling the perimeters of international airports, shipping terminals, and seaports is another common assignment for homeland security agents.

How Much Do Homeland Security Agents Earn?

Salaries for homeland security agents depend on experience, location, and the assignment specifics. PayScale reports that the average annual salary for employees of the Department of Homeland Security is about $74,000 per year. Like most government jobs, benefits include paid sick and vacation time, insurance, and retirement options. Many agents are also attracted by the opportunity to work overseas.

How Do I Become a Homeland Security Agent?

A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a homeland security agent. Additionally, specialized experience can help applicants position themselves for these positions. To gain this experience, students should seek internship opportunities within law enforcement agencies during college. They should also pursue training opportunities and mentorships that teach them to handle evidence, conduct investigations, and analyze data. Finally, applicants must undergo extensive interviews and background checks.

Concordia University, St. Paul offers a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice. With these programs, you can develop skills needed to succeed as an applicant for homeland security roles. Learn from faculty with real-world criminal justice experience as you explore topics that are relevant to homeland security. Both programs follow a flexible online format, enabling you to complete your coursework at a time and place that works best for you.

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What They Do

Regardless of location, the primary role of a state trooper is to enforce state vehicular laws and regulations. It’s mandatory that a state trooper fully understands constitutional laws as well as their state’s particular laws. They must also stay abreast of any changes and amendments that occur. For example, some states refer to their police force as state highway patrol, highway patrol, or state patrol. Since state troopers patrol the roadways and often encounter reckless drivers or drivers traveling at excessive speeds, it is critical that they are constantly alert and prepared for various scenarios. For example, in the case of suspected drunk drivers, a state trooper must use his or her judgment on whether to give an alcohol breathalyzer test.

Sometimes state troopers are the first responders at accident scenes; in this case, they must administer first aid and quickly call for emergency assistance. Sometimes a trooper may be responsible for operating emergency equipment to help an injured or trapped person. 

Additional duties include:

• Directing traffic
• Issuing citations
• Arresting criminals
• Preventing disturbances and riots
• Relaying evidence to detectives and testifying in court
• Assisting local law enforcement agencies in administrative tasks such as documenting evidence, taking photographs and conducting interviews
• Educating the public
• Acting as a backup for other officers 

Working Conditions

State troopers spend the majority of their shifts working from their patrol car. However, there will be times when they will spend time in police departments or courtrooms. Troopers work full-time and their work is scheduled in shifts so that their patrol area is covered around the clock. While experience and seniority decreases the number of night, weekend, and holiday shifts, beginners should expect to work long hours with overtime. Similarly to other law enforcement professionals, state troopers encounter dangerous and stressful situations daily. They must keep a cool head to deal with these situations effectively. 

Career Growth and Salary Potential

Salaries for troopers vary from state to state, so those interested in becoming one should investigate hiring criteria and pay rates specific to the state where they will work. According to Zip Recruiter, the highest-earning state troopers are in New York ($59,147), Massachusetts ($58,765), Nebraska ($55,639), Maryland ($55,501), and California ($54,682). The lowest-earning state troopers are in Michigan ($47,445), Missouri ($46,981), Mississippi ($46,981), Florida ($45,357), and North Carolina ($41,512). Minnesota state troopers earn an average of $51,719. Promotions can become available when senior officers retire; a promotion would mean a higher annual salary. The need for more state troopers rises with population growth.

Education and Training

Each state is different, but like most careers within law enforcement the minimum education required to become a state trooper is a high school diploma or GED. That said, candidates who hold a B.A. in criminal justice or an M.A. in criminal justice leadership will increase their attractiveness to employers. They will also likely earn a higher salary and have greater opportunities for advancement. 

Graduation from a police academy is mandatory for troopers. This involves intense physical and mental preparation, and typically takes 12 to 14 weeks. However, some academies run longer and are more extensive. In addition to physical training each day, police academy students take courses in civil rights, traffic control, first aid, self-defense, and firearm safety. Once employed, training continues on the job.

Special Skills and Qualifications

No matter where they work, it is required for state troopers to have outstanding driving abilities. It is also important for troopers to maintain their best physical health. Strong written/verbal communication and reporting skills are also a must. It is crucial that those interested in becoming a state trooper have sound emotional and mental health, physical fitness, and can remain calm under pressure. 

A career as a state trooper is intense, but rewarding for both the individual and community they serve. Concordia St. Paul’s online criminal justice degree boasts excellent placement rates and gives students the opportunity to begin a fulfilling career as a state trooper.

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Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) agents serve as immigration inspectors. Their chief responsibility is to determine whether or not to admit people and cargo into the U.S. They must research possible immigration and customs violations by assessing individuals, vehicles, and products being moved across borders and state lines.

What Does an INS Agent Do?

INS agents are responsible for inspecting cargo entering and leaving the U.S., as well as making determining taxation for items crossing international and state borders. They must also evaluate passports and interview individuals seeking entry into the U.S. and its territories. Some of the more mundane tasks of an immigration inspector are to maintain records, prepare reports, and sort and process applications for temporary residency or immigration into the U.S.

The majority of INS agents work full-time for airports, seaports, and at the country’s borders. Many of the locations where inspectors will work require round-the-clock staffing, which may mean night, weekend, and holiday work for new inspectors. It’s also likely that inspectors will be asked to testify in court from time to time. An INS agent must be able to remain calm, think clearly, keep a level head, and exercise sound judgment in all situations.

How Much Do INS Agents Earn?

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report on immigration inspectors specifically, the median annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers working at a federal level was $58,130 as of May 2018.

How Do I Become an INS Agent?

Like most jobs within the federal government, immigration inspectors are required to hold a bachelor’s degree. Degrees in criminal justice or homeland security are preferred.

It is common for newly hired inspectors to go through an immigration and customs enforcement basic training program; this is typically a 60-plus-day program that immerses candidates in interviewing, cross-cultural communications, immigration and naturalization laws, fingerprinting, detention procedures, and firearm handling, in addition to an extensive background check. They also must obtain and maintain government security clearance due to the sensitive nature of the information they will have access to. After completion of the majority of the program, candidates must be able to pass written exams and a physical fitness test that includes a 1.5-mile run.

With the right knowledge, you can excel as an INS agent. Concordia University, St. Paul offers an online criminal justice degree. The program focuses on key topics that are relevant to today’s criminal justice system. In addition, the program’s flexible online format allows you to complete your studies at a time and place that works best for you.

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People who are critical thinkers and strong communicators may want to pursue careers as criminologists. They help answer the questions of why people commit crime, what can be done to decrease criminal activity and what are effective sentences for preventing repeat offenders.

What Does a Criminologist Do?

Criminologists aid police in evaluating criminals. They accomplish this by using biographical, social and psychological factors to pinpoint and analyze criminal patterns. They examine statistics and identify patterns to determine criminal types based on victim/perpetrator demographics and locations.

When a criminologist arrives at a conclusion, he or she creates profile types for standard criminals. These profiles can be used by law enforcement to educate and better prepare to handle similar future criminals. This, in turn, allows police to catch criminals more quickly and efficiently and gives them a perspective on possible offender motives.

Criminologists spend their working hours completing tasks such as:

• Compiling statistical data
• Writing and conducting surveys
• Interviewing
• Writing recommendations on policy
• Researching and writing papers/articles
• Working alongside police and corrections personnel
• Developing strategies to reduce criminal recidivism

Criminologists also may find themselves being required to evaluate a crime scene or autopsy to draw conclusions about whether a criminal fits a profile, based on the nature of their crime.

The job of a criminologist is chiefly research-driven. While they may work primarily in a sterile office environment, they may also work from crime scenes and labs. They typically work for legislative committees or for state, local, and federal governments on policy advisory boards. Other environments include a college/university, where they can both teach and lead research projects.

How Much Are Criminologists Paid?

The salaries of criminologists across the country vary based on their location, the size of the company for which they work, and their experience. According to PayScale, criminologists earn an average salary of about $45,000.

Criminal Justice Degrees at CSP Global

A bachelor’s or master’s degree is a common requirement for criminologists. Some states also make it necessary for candidates to pass a licensing exam. Many students who hope to become criminologists study psychology or sociology as undergraduates. However, students who earn a CSP Global’s bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership will be poised for quick employment and advancement in their careers. It is possible for criminologists to be hired with only a bachelor’s degree, but many go on to pursue higher education once they are established in their careers.

Students interested in becoming criminologists should also pursue internship opportunities to gain valuable experience and become more employable. Once hired, new criminologists are expected to pass a background and security check and maintain a clean criminal record.

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Individuals who have good judgment, are confident in their decision-making, and are accurate with great attention to detail can make good customs inspectors. A customs inspector has the role of preventing weapons, drugs, and illegal goods from being smuggled into the United States. They are also responsible for stopping the entry of harmful pests that might come into the country on imported fruits, vegetables, and other plants.

What Does a Customs Inspector Do?

Customs inspectors uphold the laws governing imported and exported goods and evaluate and examine individuals passing through U.S. borders. They also study shipping manifests to make sure imported goods do not violate U.S. regulations regarding their source or the country of origin’s child labor stipulations. In addition, customs inspectors examine declaration forms to ensure that all passengers are claiming the correct amount of currency and goods obtained abroad, so that appropriate taxes can be collected.

Customs inspectors’ day-to-day duties are carried out at ports of entry to the United States — seaports, international airports, train stations, and vehicle border crossings. Whether they work indoors or outdoors is dependent upon their station. For example, at seaports, inspectors will spend a lot of time outdoors inspecting cargo ships and aircraft entering and departing the country. On the other hand, inspectors who work for airports will work mainly indoors, alongside the airport’s baggage claim and passenger registration departments.

It’s pretty common for an inspector to be on his or her feet for long periods throughout the day, and they do not typically have offices. It’s the nature of the position for inspectors to move around a lot while investigating travelers, their bags and cargo. There are times when drugs and weapons are suspected; this makes the job of a customs inspector potentially dangerous. To ensure that an inspector can efficiently handle unsafe situations, he or she will undergo specific training before beginning this job.

How Much Do Customs Inspectors Earn?

The salaries for customs inspectors vary depending upon location, experience, the size of employer, and other factors. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report specific data for customs inspectors; but the similar occupations of detectives and criminal investigators earn a median annual salary of $81,920.

How Do I Become a Customs Inspector?

To prepare for a career as a customs inspector, you need at least a high school diploma. However, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can increase your chances of landing a job and being promoted quickly. In addition, you must pass a 15-week training course at the Customs Border Protection Academy. This course consists of classroom and practical skills that include interviewing, search and seizure methods, threat assessment, and legal regulations.

Additionally, customs inspectors must be U.S. citizens who can provide a valid driver’s license. Candidates must be under the age of 37, although some military veterans or law enforcement personnel older than 37 may qualify. They must pass a background check for security clearance and be able to pass fitness, drug, and medical tests. Finally, customs inspectors must make the grade on a final, comprehensive exam at the end of their training.

Concordia University, St. Paul offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership. Both programs can help you develop the skills needed to excel as a customs inspector. In addition, the programs are offered in a convenient online format that allows you to study at a time and place that works best for you.

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The role of a deputy sheriff is to enforce local, state, and national laws within a county. Much like police officers in urban areas, deputies are appointed officers responsible for overseeing certain police duties.

What Does a Deputy Sheriff Do?

Deputy sheriffs are commonly in charge of patrolling their jurisdiction, making arrests, and responding to emergency and non-emergency calls. However, they may also be tasked with running the county jail or ensuring courtroom security. Many times, especially in rural areas, the sheriff’s department is the main law enforcement agency.

Most deputy sheriffs work 12-hour shifts; some work alternating day and night shifts. Since around-the-clock public safety is the primary concern of a sheriff’s department, a deputy may be asked to work double shifts and should expect overtime pay. They should also be ready to work holidays and weekends as needed, especially at the beginning of their career.

How Much Do Deputy Sheriffs Earn?

Salaries vary greatly by department size and location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report specifically on the salaries of deputy sheriffs, but a comparable salary is that of police and sheriff’s patrol officers. The median annual salary for those roles is $61,380. Pay will vary based on location, experience, and education.

How Do I Become a Deputy Sheriff?

To effectively provide services like law and traffic enforcement, emergency response, and criminal investigation, deputy sheriffs must complete intense training requirements. The strict selection process for this training ensures the best-suited candidates receive a chance to compete for this role. A written test to assess reading, writing, and math skills is also typical. Physically, candidates will be evaluated for stamina, strength, and dexterity. One of the final requirements is that candidates pass an interview and psychological exam with senior officers. This is to ensure the applicant is fit to handle the mental trials of law enforcement work.

Depending upon a department’s location, there may be a civil service exam a candidate must pass before they earn eligibility to enter a training program.

Those interested in pursuing careers as deputy sheriffs must be U.S. citizens with no felony or domestic violence convictions and no recent DWI or misdemeanor convictions. Before an applicant is offered a job, they must pass a thorough background check. In some instances, a polygraph exam may be required to verify all information gathered during a candidate’s interviews and background check.

Not unlike many careers in law enforcement, the minimum education required to become a deputy sheriff is a high school diploma or GED. However, sheriffs who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree will increase their attractiveness to employers. They will also likely earn more money and have greater opportunities for advancement.

Concordia University, St. Paul offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership. Both programs can help you develop the skills needed to excel as a deputy sheriff. In addition, they are offered in a convenient online format that allows you to study at a time and place that works best for you.

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Once you have narrowed down your career search enough to know the general area you want to study, you may think most of the decision-making is over. However, just because you’re sure you want to work in healthcare or business, education or crime, that doesn’t mean that all of the other choices you make will be straightforward ones. Today’s students have more options than ever when it comes to choosing degree programs and schools. Because virtually every course of study is available online, deciding which one is for you can be confusing and overwhelming. If you want to work in public service, careers in this field allow you to make a real difference and improve your community. You have several career paths available to you as well, and the first step in deciding which one is right for you is choosing between the studies of criminology and criminal justice.

At Concordia University, St. Paul, we know that understanding the difference between these two fields can be confusing. Choosing which degree program to enroll in is one of the most important decisions that students make, and we want to help. Programs like criminology and criminal justice may seem interchangeable at first, but after reading this post you should have a better understanding of what topics and skills both degrees involve and which one may be right for you. Programs like Concordia’s online criminal justice degree prepare you for various crime-related fields. We’ve put together a guide to our online degree and the details about both criminology and criminal justice degrees, along with outlining the difference between these two dynamic fields.

Criminology Degree Overview

Criminology is best described as the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon. Earning a degree in criminology is ideal for students who want to work in the legal system right after graduation or who are considering law school. The study of criminology involves a great deal of theoretical discussion of the administration of justice in the U.S. Courses in this major usually explore the causes of crime, different types of crime and their consequences. Students will also learn about criminal psychology and the sociological nature of crime. To be successful in criminology, students must gain substantial knowledge in political science, forensics, psychology, law, American history, communication skills and statistics through their chosen degree program.

There are three common subdivisions within criminology:

•  Biocriminology is the study of the biological basis of criminal behavior.
• Feminist criminology is the study of women and crime.
• Penology is the study of prisons and the prison system as a whole.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics likens the profession of criminologist with that of a sociologist. Criminology-related careers often include government or nonprofit researchers, postsecondary instructors or professors. For this reason, while a bachelor’s degree will get you started in your criminology career it is likely that an advanced degree will be necessary at some point.

Criminal Justice Degree Overview

The field of criminal justice refers to the system of law enforcement, courts and corrections in the U.S. It includes the governmental institutions that aim to uphold social control, lessen the occurrence of crime and implement consequences for those who violate laws. Unlike criminology, criminal justice is concerned with directly addressing criminal behavior and crime in society. The study of criminal justice involves learning about the administration side of crime-related careers. Students will learn about criminal investigation, criminal justice reform, criminal profiling, judicial process and constitutional law, among other topics. To be successful in this field, individuals should have strong judgment and analytical skills, along with being observant, responsible and honest.

The following are common career paths for criminal justice majors after graduation:

• County/deputy sheriff
• Conservation officer
• State trooper
• Immigration officer
• Federal air marshal
• Parole officer
• Probation officer
• Corrections counselor
• Court clerk
• Paralegal
• Bailiff

Criminal justice is, above all, the interdisciplinary study of police, jails and justice. Your degree program will therefore likely specialize in established systems and means of dealing with crime, along with the detection of crime, detaining criminals, criminal prosecution and punishment. It is directly associated with law enforcement and has a true real-world application when it comes to crime.

Criminal Justice at Concordia

Concordia’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program consists of 40 credit hours and is offered fully online. It is designed to give students a deeper understanding of constitutional law, as well as the administration and organization of criminal justice. This degree is designed for professionals who wish to improve their knowledge and skill sets while also maintaining the balance of their career and personal life. Course topics include the following:

• Information literacy
• Systems thinking
• Diversity in criminal justice
• Philosophy of values and ethics
• Inside the criminal mind
• Troubled youth in the criminal justice system
• Contemporary issues in criminal justice

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be prepared for a variety of positions in law enforcement, the courts and corrections. If you choose to pursue a degree in criminal justice, Concordia has the flexible online program you are looking for. To find out more information about Concordia’s online criminal justice degree, visit the program page.

While the fields of criminology and criminal justice are different, criminologists and criminal justice professionals work together in the criminal justice system to understand and respond to crime. The degree programs for either of these disciplines will provide you with the means to work closely with crime and criminals, though these interactions take place in different ways. Now that you have more information about the skills you’ll need and the topics you’ll study in criminology and criminal justice programs, deciding which degree is right for you should be an easier choice to make.