Criminal law degrees are law courses which are specialized for the study of written laws issued by the government and the corresponding punishment given to those who fail to abide by them. The main focus of criminal law degree programs is the study of criminal law. (1) The criminal law includes a list of rules against crimes against people, property, and justice.
Criminal law degrees are some of the most commonly taken up law specializations by most aspiring lawyers. The people who have finished studying criminal law degrees are called criminal lawyers. Usually found in the courts of law, criminal lawyers are the ones who represent those people who have filed criminal charges or defend those people who have been charged with crimes. (2)
Most law schools have very high standards when it comes to the selection of their criminal law students. The requirements are usually consist of very high LSAT scores, really impressive pre-law grades, and other pre-requisite courses. Even if they vary depending on the list of requirements given by the law school, some of the basic pre-requisite courses to criminal law degrees include political science, economics, sociology, philosophy, government and history, religion, logic, psychology, expository writing, composition and literature, accounting, and public speaking. (3) These mentioned courses are necessary to prepare the students to be effective defenders of people and dedicated men of justice. Criminal law students are thoroughly educated to master the list of rules, the jurisdictions of criminal law, the elements of crimes, and the sanctions of crimes and are carefully trained to be eloquent public speakers, rational philosophers, and great defenders.
The specialized criminal law degrees include the following: Corrections Administration Degrees; Corrections, Probation, and Parole; Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Corrections, Criminal Justice and Safety Studies; Criminal Science; Forensic Science Degrees; Juvenile Corrections; Law Enforcement Administration; Police Science and Law Enforcement; Public Safety and Law Enforcement; Securities Service Management; and Security and Theft Prevention Services. (4) Three of the most popular law schools in the United States which offer criminal law degrees are Syracuse University in New York, Drury University in Missouri, and University of Louisville in Kentucky.
In terms of careers, students who have taken up criminal law degrees usually pursue administrative and law enforcement management positions. (2)
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law
(2) http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm
(3) http://gradschool.about.com/od/lawschool/f/lawclass.htm
(4) http://education-portal.com/articles/Top_Schools_for_Criminal_Justice,_Law_Enforcement,_and_Corrections_Programs.html
(5) http://www.ferris.edu/bachelor-degree-criminal-justice-specialist.htm