Education and libraries
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
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.
Median pay
$76,590
Growth to 2035
+2%
little or no change
Openings a year
1,100
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary: 65% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Also called: Adjunct Instructor · Adjunct Professor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Criminal Justice Instructor · Criminal Justice Professor · Digital Forensics Instructor · Instructor
Outlook and AI
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary held 15,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 15,900 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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