Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

25-1111.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Also known as: Adjunct Criminal Justice Instructor, Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, College Faculty Member, College Professor, ...

Annual Salary

$71,470

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$56,100 25th – 75th percentile $99,730
10th percentile $45,640
90th percentile $143,130
U.S. Employment: 13,560

Job Outlook

+2%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 1,200 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Doctoral or professional degree

What You'd Do

  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.

Top Skills

Speaking 4.8
Active Listening 4.1
Critical Thinking 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Writing 4.0
Instructing 4.0
Active Learning 4.0
Learning Strategies 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Education and Training 4.5
English Language 4.5
Law and Government 4.5
Public Safety and Security 4.4
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.8
Administration and Management 3.7
Psychology 3.7

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Master's
38.9%
Doctoral
25.6%
Certificate
10.9%
Post-Master's
8.6%
Associate's
8.4%
Bachelor's
4.3%
High School
1.6%
Professional
1.6%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Google Docs Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Blackboard Learn Blackboard software Calendar and scheduling software Collaborative editing software Course management system software Desire2Learn LMS software Distance learning software DOC Cop Email software Image scanning software iParadigms Turnitin Learning management system LMS National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database Sakai CLE Web browser software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.4
Dependability
2.4
Intellectual Curiosity
2.4
Integrity
2.2
Social Orientation
2.0
Achievement Orientation
2.0
Cooperation
1.9
Attention to Detail

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Expression 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Speech Clarity 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.8
Problem Sensitivity 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Working with Computers 4.5
Training and Teaching Others 4.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.3
Thinking Creatively 4.2
Documenting/Recording Information 4.2
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others 4.1
Getting Information 4.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.7
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Contact With Others
4.5
Telephone Conversations
4.3
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.2
Public Speaking
4.2
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.1
Frequency of Decision Making
4.1
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.0

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.