Criminal Justice & Community Services
Legal, law enforcement, security.
From crime scene investigators and FBI agents to judges and 911 dispatchers, give your student the tools they need to move forward in a career serving and protecting their community. Developed as part of Stride's We Stand Together initiative and with an advisory board of criminal justice and community experts, authentic, project-based learning in a variety of career pathways incorporates important concepts that promote building a more diverse, socially-conscious, supportive workforce. Stride Career Prep* students get exposure to a breadth of options in legal, law enforcement, and security work—learning how to serve and protect others while gaining skills to launch their careers.
Career pathways include:**
Law Enforcement Services Pathway
Is your child calm in stressful situations? Are they able to notice things that are out of the ordinary? Do they enjoy working with other people in your community? If so, a police patrol officer or detective career may be a good fit. Or, if your child is a good listener, they could be a police, fire, or emergency dispatcher. These careers and more can start in the law enforcement pathway.
Students will:
Learn the fundamentals of criminal justice
Gain experience in criminology and forensics
Develop law enforcement skills to serve their community
Legal Services Pathway
Is your child a debate champion or curious about different views on ethical topics? Do they have a passion for justice and fairness? If so, the legal services pathway could be the one for them. This pathway can lead to a career as a paralegal, lawyer, judge, and more.
Students will:
Learn the fundamentals of criminal justice
Gain experience in criminology and communication
Get an introduction to law and the justice system and related careers
Security & Protective Services Pathway
Is your child someone who listens and observes well? Can they tell when something seems wrong or out of place? Do they enjoy puzzles and logic? If so, the security and protective services pathway could be a great choice. This pathway can lead to a career in intelligence, cybersecurity, or private protection.
Students will:
Learn the fundamentals of criminal justice
Gain experience in criminology and forensics
Get an introduction to cybersecurity, intelligence, and other security-related careers
What could my future look like in this career field?*
*Data is from Lightcast and is updated frequently.
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to become a police officer?
Police officers typically do not need college degrees. However, significant training is required. The typical path is high school graduation, followed by training at a police academy. Candidates usually must be 21 years old, pass physical fitness tests, and have no criminal convictions.
Do you need a college degree to become a forensic science technician?
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree in forensic science or a natural science such as chemistry or biology. Technicians may also pursue a master's degree in forensic science. However, many crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers and have only met the education requirements to enroll in a police academy.
Do you need a college degree to become a paralegal?
Many paralegals have bachelor's degrees, but this is often not necessary. An associate's degree or certificate is usually sufficient.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
