Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

These postsecondary educators teach college courses covering law enforcement administration, corrections, and criminology. On a daily basis, they focus on training and teaching others, which requires strong skills in speaking, instructing, and active listening. They must constantly update their own knowledge of public safety, security, law, and government to provide accurate information to their students.

Outside the classroom, these teachers spend significant time working with computers to prepare lectures, grade assignments, and document student progress. The role demands creative thinking and strong organizational skills to plan curriculum and prioritize tasks. Because this is a social career, instructors must be cooperative, dependable, and highly skilled in interpersonal communication. They use their knowledge of the English language, psychology, and education to explain complex legal and administrative concepts to diverse student groups.

To enter this career, individuals typically need a doctoral or professional degree, though the extensive preparation required means most candidates hold at least a master's degree, PhD, or JD. Students preparing for this academic path often major in criminology, criminal justice and corrections, homeland security, or security science and technology. Some also enter the field after studying environmental and natural resources management and policy.

Success in this role requires a deep understanding of administration, personnel resources, and customer service. Aspiring teachers must develop strong reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills during their graduate studies. Because they lead college classrooms, they must also demonstrate self-confidence, leadership, and a strong orientation toward achievement.

The median annual pay for these postsecondary teachers is $76,590. This means half of the instructors in this field earn more than this amount, while the other half earn less. Salaries can vary widely based on experience and institution; the lowest 10% of earners make less than $45,000, while the highest 10% earn more than $140,240.

There are 13,150 people employed in this profession. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 1.5%, which is slower than the average for all occupations. Despite this slow growth, about 1,100 job openings are expected to become available each year.