In an effort to assist college graduates in finding jobs in the slow economy, universities across the country are conducting studies to determine which degree programs provide students with the best career opportunities.
For example, the recent international crises that have involved the U.S. over the last 10 years have led to an increased demand for homeland security professionals. Consequently, schools, such as St. Thomas University (STU) in Miami, have followed this trend and launched more criminal justice programs.
Students who earn STU's masters degree in this field will be prepared for jobs in homeland security, public administration, criminology and law enforcement. Also, individuals in this field have the opportunity to enroll in the school's new homeland security and terrorism certificate program.
Andrej Milic, a graduate student at STU, said that specializing in "criminal justice "can secure positions with the U.S. Marshal's Service, DEA, FBI, Treasury Department, U.S. Customs as well as local law enforcement agencies." He added that degree holders may also be "eligible for work as probation or parole officers, victim assistance workers, correctional employees, private investigators or postal investigators."
In 2006, an estimated 11,400 Border Patrol agents were employed by the U.S. government, and their annual salaries ranged from $25,195 to $31,209, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
