Research Guides: Criminal Justice: Careers

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a guide to hundreds of careers, available freely on the web. The information is compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Professional Societies

Below is a partial list of professional organizations designed to support members of various criminal justice professions. Professional organizations can benefit students with reduced membership rates, opportunities for scholarships, and mentoring programs. Many publish newsletters or offer listservs through which participants can receive information about the most recent developments in their field.

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) is an international association established in 1963 to foster professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justice. ACJS promotes criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis within the discipline of criminal justice for both educators and practitioners.
The American Society of Criminology
The American Society of Criminology is an international organization whose members pursue scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency.
American Correctional Association
The American Correctional Association provides a professional organization for all individuals and groups, both public and private that share a common goal of improving the justice system.
American Jail Association
The American Jail Association (AJA) is a national, nonprofit organization that supports the professionals who operate our Nation’s jails. It is the only national association that focuses exclusively on issues specific to the operations of local correctional facilities.
American Probation and Parole Association
The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) is an international association composed of members from the United States, Canada and other countries actively involved with pretrial, probation, parole and community-based corrections, in both criminal and juvenile justice arenas.
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
As a professional society dedicated to the application of science to the law, the AAFS is committed to the promotion of education and the elevation of accuracy, precision, and specificity in the forensic sciences.
The International Association for Identification
Welcome to the website of the International Association for Identification! We are the oldest and largest forensic association in the world. This professional forensic association represents a diverse, knowledgeable and experienced membership that are assembled to educate, share, critique and publish methods, techniques and research in the physical forensic science disciplines.
The International Association of Women Police
Our mission is to strengthen, unite and raise the profile of women in criminal justice internationally.
International Community Corrections Association
The ICCA is a membership organization dedicated to promoting community-based corrections for adults and juveniles to enhance public safety.
Justice Research and Statistics Association
The Justice Research and Statistics Association is a national nonprofit organization of state Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) directors, and other researchers and practitioners throughout government, academia, and the justice community who are dedicated to the use of research and analysis to make informed policy and program decisions.
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice
Created in 1974, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) has made a goal of achieving equal justice for blacks and other minorities.
National Black Police Association
The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is a national organization comprised of sub-regional African American Police Associations whom are dedicated to promoting justice, fairness, and effectiveness in law enforcement.
National Organization for Victim Assistance
NOVA’s mission is to champion dignity and compassion for those harmed by crime and crisis.Star
Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.