College-Pages.com » Law and Social Sciences

Earning a Business Law Degree

James — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:14:13 +0000

Does it seem to you that some sort of legal implication surrounds every decision made in business today? Everywhere we turn there is a need for advanced business knowledge. The present global economy dictates a strong background in business as well as law. The combination of business and law is a powerful one which will yield incredible job opportunities, making it a very practical field to consider.

Small business owners as well as the traditional business community require business law expertise. It is needed in the formation of corporate businesses, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, business development strategies and complex contract negotiations.

One of the legal issues involved with business law are selecting the type of organizational entity under which a business will operate. It includes reparation of all agreements, sale and purchase of businesses, employee relations and dissolution of businesses.

There are several options available to obtain a Business Law Degree. One example is the Concord Law School, which offers a Juris Doctor degree. This program is for students interested in receiving business training in addition to their law degree. Students graduating from this discipline understand the practice of law and the complexities of the legal world. This program blends the theory of law with the practical aspects of the contemporary corporate environment. Graduates enjoy the flexibility of pursing a career in law, business or both. The employment record of Concord Law School’s graduates include highly paid positions at places like the Limited, eBay, Boeing and Wendy’s. The program is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.

Another option is California State University, Northridge that offers a Business Law Degree in cooperation with departments in the College of Business and Economics. The mission of that school is that students will be able to recognize and analyze legal issues in the traditional business environment. It prepares students for leadership in the complex global economy, making them effective communicators and ethical decision makers.

Peirce College has a business law concentration with an introduction to business and legal studies. It offers marketable business skills. The Business Law Degree options are: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Business Law, including a work- based learning component; Associate in Science Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Business Law, allowing entry level positions in public and private sectors, and a Certificate of Proficiency in Business Law, designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

The John Marshall Law School offers a degree in International Business and Trade Law at the graduate level. This degree offers graduates a chance to be well-situated in practice in today’s competitive global legal market in the United States and throughout the world.

Because legal implications arise in every aspect of business, it seems that a Business Law Degree is an excellent option to guarantee success in today’s job market. If you enjoy the intricacies of business and the law, this could be the degree for you.

Tags: business, business administration, Business and Management, finance, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences

A Degree in Criminal Justice Will Advance Your Career

James — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:21:02 +0000

With the continuing fear of terrorist attacks since September 2001, criminal justice careers have been the focus of much attention. The government actively recruits individuals with criminal science degrees. While some criminal justice careers require only a high school education and physical and mental preparedness, advancement within the field is only possible with a degree in criminal justice. Working adults who wish to transition to a career in law enforcement should seek an online degree in criminal justice.

Online degrees in criminal justice take three forms. The Associate’s Degree requires two years of coursework. A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice requires four years of college coursework. Most government positions will require potential job candidates to carry a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. For those seeking advancement into management and more technical positions, a Doctoral Degree in Criminal Justice will be necessary.

Most students receive a well-rounded education covering the inner workings of the law. Online criminal justice degree programs also use real world examples to supplement classroom theory. Best of all, working adults no longer need to worry about balancing the demands of getting an education with maintaining work schedules.

Criminal justice also covers competencies in criminal investigation, criminal justice research methods, the fundamentals of criminal law, justice systems, police systems, and ethics. A successful curriculum combines interdisciplinary work in psychology, sociology, and public administration.

Graduates with online degrees in criminal justice have applied their knowledge to occupations such as paralegals, trial lawyers, and social workers. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree is needed for careers as fraud investigators, loss prevention managers, or police detectives. Access to management positions in forensics, crime prevention, and criminal investigation requires a Master’s Degree. Because of the new job opportunities arising from the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Labor Department projects continued growth annually at a rate of 29% through 2010.

Tags: careers, criminal justice, degree programs, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, Online Degrees, paralegal, science degrees

Careers For Those With a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree

James — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:51:23 +0000

Criminal justice graduates, rejoice! As one who is well-versed in the inner workings of the law, criminal justice graduates are the guardians of society – they investigate crimes, patrol the streets for criminals, and oversee the enforcement of laws. Earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, however, does not doom the young graduate to a life on the community police force or local law enforcement. Graduates with bachelor degrees in criminal justice find a variety of employment opportunities at the city, state, and federal levels, from homeland security to forensics.

Criminal justice graduates with bachelor degrees can easily find work in protective services. This covers occupations involved in patrol work, like serving as corrections officers with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, working as a US Border Patrol officer for the Department of Immigration, or acting as an agent for the US Marshals or Federal Bureau of Investigations. The Drug Enforcement Agency also employs graduates with bachelor degrees in criminal justice. Employment at these agencies requires attendance at designated training academies. Because of the physical demands involved in patrol work, graduates should be strong physical and emotional form before applying to these positions.

Criminal justice bachelor degree graduates may also find rewarding careers within the court system. Graduates serve as court counselors and victims service counselors. Many seek advanced training and educational opportunities and emerge as lawyers and prosecutors in District Attorney’s offices and in private firms. Others work as paralegals or as legal counsel in corporations. Careers in the law carry lucrative financial benefits, and are the crown jewel for the graduate of criminal justice.

The popularity of television dramas like CSI has propelled other graduates of criminal justice bachelor degrees to seek employment as crime scene investigators. Crime scene investigators go out to crime scenes and collect forensics evidence to be processed at the crime lab. The pay may not be as lucrative as that of the lawyer, but any individual with a liking of the natural sciences and a mind for analysis would find satisfaction in a career as a crime scene investigator.

Graduates that have psychology backgrounds and experience in investigations could find glamorous work as psychological profilers in regional and federal enforcement agencies. Criminal justice bachelor degree graduates looking for work as a psychological profiler should continue their criminal justice studies to the master’s level and have some forensic science training to get a competitive advantage for employment in the field.

Criminal justice graduates with bachelor degrees can serve the public in civil positions. Those with a desire to communicate their experiences to future generations can elect to teach criminal justice at the community college level or volunteer in civic organizations. A person with an educational background in criminal justice can put their knowledge to use as a writer or beat reporter for newspapers and broadcast networks. Others can elect to use their knowledge of criminal justice to help others, as in psychological professions, or social work.

Thus, an educational degree in criminal justice does not doom one to police work. Knowledge is power, and with criminal justice, it is the power to do good for society as a whole.

Tags: Bachelors Degrees, careers, criminal justice, employment, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, paralegal, training

After Graduation From a Criminal Justice Degree Program

James — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:25:25 +0000

People with associate’s degrees in criminal justice will find that the education helps them in a number of entry or lower level positions in the field. Law enforcement officers have not traditionally been required to have college-level education in order to apply. That seems to be changing slowly. While civil service exams are still involved, police and sheriff’s deputy applicants in some departments may need an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Entry level correctional officers may encounter the same requirement, depending on the jurisdiction. A recent internet job posting for a Wisconsin correctional officer (prison guard) required an associate’s degree in criminal justice.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will open the door to a variety of opportunities in the field. Another recent job posting from Virginia was for the director of an inter-agency gang task force. The job description included knowledge of regional gang activities and interdiction efforts, the ability to respond to night and weekend incidents. In addition, the applicant was charged with multi-agency coordination – not always an easy task among law enforcement organizations. At the same time, the applicant had to be capable of community outreach, grant writing and funding solicitation from legislative bodies. That’s a complex set of responsibilities: the educational requirement was a bachelor’s in criminal justice.

Positions within police departments can require criminal justice degrees. Specialized inspectors such as the “Criminalistics Supervisor,” a position recently posted by the Lakewood Colorado Police Department, require a bachelor’s. This particular position is overseeing a team of forensics technicians to assemble as complete a position as possible from a crime scene. As law enforcement becomes specialized and more technology is employed, higher levels of education become the standard.

There are a number of federal inspector’s jobs that require master’s degrees. Federal civil service rankings often have college level education requirements that can serve as substitutes for service in the next lower civil service rank. What is surprising is the number of agencies that have need for people with criminal justice educations. The Small Business Administration, The Drug Enforcement Administration, various branches of the Department of Justice have divisions that require oversight – these are a few of the listings you’ll find in federal job postings. Nearly every cabinet level department has an enforcement division, and people with graduate degrees in criminal justice will fit into many of them.

State departments of fish and game have enforcement divisions, as do environmental agencies. Graduate students in criminal justice have studied the psychology of enforcement practices in large social settings. Some of those principles are applicable for crime categories such as violations on federal wildlife preserves or illegal dumping of pollutants. White collar violations require investigations, by investigative bureaus which require oversight. It is in that sort of niche that a Master of Science/Criminal Justice Administration would fit admirably.

You don’t have to dig too deeply into the internet search engines to find a remarkable number of career choices open to people with criminal justice degrees, of any level. It’s just a matter of patience, coupled with a little perseverance.

Tags: criminal justice, Degrees, graduate degree, graduate degrees, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, Masters Degrees, prison guard

How to Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree … FAST!

James — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:16:13 +0000

An accelerated degree is generally meant to define the step from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s. Many of the accredited online universities provide accelerated criminal justice degree programs that will jump you from an associate’s degree to the bachelor’s in twelve months. The usual time frame is two years. These programs are based on the assumption that you have met certain core requirements during your earlier studies and are free to focus on the criminal justice element of the degree.

Kaplan University is one of those schools with an accelerated online degree in criminal justice. Kaplan has a network of seventy campuses nationwide, as well as the online program so there are also opportunities to take onsite classes for this program as well, depending on your location. Kaplan’s bachelor’s program for criminal justice includes several specialized areas of focus. You can achieve an accelerated bachelor’s in criminal justice and opt for one of these areas of specialization: corrections; crime analysis; forensics; fraud investigation and examination; law enforcement; and private security.

Warren National University offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice that is geared toward helping individuals in the field upgrade their professional status. They have a status evaluator on their website that will automatically tabulate how many credits you have earned toward their criminal justice degree and how quickly you will be able to complete your bachelor’s.

In order to accelerate the graduation process they can provide an instant analysis of the holes in your academic record and determine the most efficient method of completing the requirements. One other interesting feature at Warren National University is their e-global library, which is an online resource for the areas of study they provide.

University of Phoenix Online has a bachelor’s degree available in criminal justice. They will accept credits from prior accredited institutions, provided they are applicable to the course of study. Students can complete the entire bachelor’s criminal justice program at Phoenix in two to three years, an accelerated pace compared to the traditional four year university. Phoenix accomplishes this by teaching one class at a time at an accelerated rate, allowing a student to complete more credits over a year than in a traditional academic environment. Of course, ambitious students can take on more than one course at a time.

American Intercontinental University has an online program for an accelerated criminal justice degree that can be completed quickly. This projection is based on the assumption that the student has completed an associate’s degree on entering the program or met equivalency requirements. Equivalency for an associate’s program means 48 credits in general education courses and 42 credits in electives.

Accelerated degrees are achievable more readily online and through continuing education programs because many of those programs are geared to the working adult who either wants to advance in his or her chosen field or who wants to alter courses and break into a new profession. The accelerated course in criminal justice is designed to help a beat cop become a lieutenant or an investigator become an administrator. Leadership requirements in the law enforcement field are in line with other professions these days: they require advanced education.

Tags: criminal justice, Degrees, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Employment Opportunities in Criminal Justice

James — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:54:35 +0000

Jobs in criminal justice focus on some aspect of dealing with the offender. Investigators and police officers are engaged in apprehending and convicting. Parole and probation officers are responsible for monitoring the offender: in the case of the parole officer, monitoring following the offender’s release from prison. Probation officers oversee offenders who have been sentenced to probation in lieu of detention. There are also correctional treatment specialists, also known as case managers, who counsel offenders and help them develop plans for reentering the mainstream once they are released from prison.

Probation officers spend much of their time working for the courts. They investigate the case, write a pretrial report and recommend sentencing. They track the offender and provide the court with periodic updates on rehabilitation efforts, family situations, etc. Once an offender is released, the probation officer will meet with him or her on a periodic basis to check on progress.

Correctional treatment specialists work in jails and prisons, evaluating the offenders assigned to them, helping with the development of post-incarceration plans and giving reports and recommendations to parole boards and courts. They assist in developing treatment plans for inmates who will need counseling upon release and try to find a path to employment or some form of productive activity that will provide the newly released offender some direction.

Case loads for these types of criminal justice professionals depend on the jurisdiction. It is not uncommon, however, to see case loads ranging from fifty to one hundred individuals in the overcrowded, overburdened jurisdictions.

Police and detective work is familiar to all of us. What may be less visible is the technology they employ today and must know how to utilize. Officers may develop specialties in handwriting and fingerprints; chemical and microscopic analysis; manipulating computer data in the local and national crime databases; and electronic surveillance when a warrant is issued. Patrol duties may include bicycles or horseback, car or motorcycle, on foot or in a boat on the waterfront.

Sheriffs are county employees and will provide patrol functions in the areas of a county that are unincorporated. In addition, they are court bailiffs in most counties, providing security in the courtrooms and courthouses. Also in most counties the deputy sheriffs are responsible for operating the county jails.

State police officers are principally involved in patrolling the state’s highways. They are the agencies that monitor traffic data and work to keep accident rates down. They are often called upon to provide backup to local law enforcement in the case of natural disasters such as floods, fires and landslides that require both traffic control and law enforcement presence. Also at the state level are fish and game wardens that patrol hunting and fishing preserves and conduct search and rescue missions.

At the federal level there are criminal justice experts in the FBI, the DEA, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau which includes the Secret Service and the Federal Marshals who are responsible for security in the federal court system. There are probably a half dozen additional agencies or investigative bureaus in the federal system that are seldom seen but are an integral part of federal criminal justice.

Tags: criminal justice, employment, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Criminal Justice Degrees From ITT Technical Institute

James — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:37:48 +0000

ITT Technical Institute operates eighty campuses in thirty states, offering career-focused educational programs to its students. It has five areas of study, one of which is criminal justice. The ITT Tech facility in Indianapolis has an online education program that provides associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. They also have a bachelor’s degree available in criminal justice that specializes in cyber security.

The full title for the associate’s degree is Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice. The curriculum includes introductory courses for the criminal justice system and skills required for the various professional positions within it. Courses cover law enforcement, corrections and the criminal courts.

The associate program covers the criminal legal system and its standards in detail. Focus on law enforcement is substantial as well. Graduates of this program will have the technical skills to enter into employment in a number of positions within the system. This course should meet or exceed the entry level educational requirements of virtually any police department in the country.

ITT’s bachelor’s program in criminal justice builds on the educational base developed for the associate’s program. Extended study of law enforcement includes the tools of the trade such as forensics, technological development of evidence, investigative techniques and the body of law on evidence. Course work on the criminal justice system includes the development of juvenile justice programs as well as correctional and rehabilitation models

The bachelor’s program gets into the study of criminology, the research and analytical side of criminal justice. Use of computer programs to capture, manipulate and analyze date is one topic of study. That course will focus as well on using statistical data to make decisions on what the data shows and what changes might be made as a result of the conclusions drawn. Criminology takes the wealth of data on crime incidents and criminal profiles and applies the knowledge gleaned from it to proposals for improvements in law enforcement.

The third criminal justice degree available from ITT Tech is the bachelor’s in criminal justice – cyber security. This program of study will also provide a solid foundation in the criminal justice system. The workings of the courts systems, both juvenile and adult, will be covered as well as corrections theory and practice. Law enforcement and investigative practices are part of the program along with the law as it applies to law enforcement activities.

The “cyber” portion of the program includes, among many other things: operating system security, trust management, security auditing and intrusion detections. The technology component is covered in depth, with the study of firewalls, virtual local area networks, virtual private networks and backup and disaster security measures. Identification and authorization techniques, smart cards and risk mitigation continue the technical portion of the program.

The program goes beyond cyber-crime to study the role of technology in criminal justice as well as communication and the mechanisms of social control – other elements that extend this degree into the field of criminology and round out the field of study.

Tags: criminal justice, Degrees, ITT Technical Institute, ITT Technical Institute, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Criminal Justice and the Master’s Degree

James — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:51:35 +0000

The master’s degree in criminal justice is meant to take you from a daily operational role in the criminal justice system and into management and/or research. A master’s in criminal justice may also find you a role in a corporate environment if the company is in some fashion needs the development and management of a comprehensive security system for its own facilities or contracts with some subsection of the criminal justice apparatus.

Graduate work in criminal justice will provide you with leadership skills for law enforcement, probation and parole departments, corrections, court services and public safety. Research and statistics play an important role in criminal justice and it is at the master’s level that you will qualify professionally for projects in this field.

A quick look at online job postings in this area showed an interesting mix. There was a position as “research scientist” for the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center. In Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Justice System Reform Project was looking for a director. The Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center needed a manager for a criminal justice research project.

All of these jobs are for agencies that are government funded. All of them would involve extensive collection and analysis of data, requiring some computer skills. All of them are to some degree, focused on system reform. All of them are open to an individual with a master’s degree in criminal justice.

To that end, the master’s program at Capella University includes core courses in Survey and Research of Adult Development and Behavior; Ethnic and Cultural Awareness; and Survey of Research Methodology. Specialization areas include Social Change and Public Policy; History of the Juvenile Justice System; and Practices of Probation, Parole and Community Corrections (a partial list). The academic orientation for some of these course tracks is clear.

This is not to suggest that the master’s program in criminal justice won’t immerse you in study of the crime-stopping skills. The master’s level curriculum at University of Phoenix Online includes: Cyber crime and Information Systems Security; Forensic Science and Psychological Profiling; Management of Institutional Risk; Critical Incident Management; and Legal Issues in Justice and Security.

As with other areas of study, the master’s in criminal justice means management. In law enforcement, a high score on the civil service exam is no longer sufficient to move into the command ranks. Graduate studies are often required. That is why the continuing education programs for criminal justice that many online schools offer are populated with working professionals: beat cops and probation officers who want to move into management and systems analysis.

Managing criminal justice personnel is perhaps a more complex challenge than management in a corporate or some other public service area that does not involve sworn personnel. Police work takes courage, patience, tolerance, toughness and a good deal of psychological insight. There is a high burnout factor among police officers and many develop cynical attitudes.

Police work is also high profile work and often subject to public criticism. That is why so many police departments are organizations made up of courageous individuals that have morale problems. It’s a seeming contradiction, but it punctuates the fact that management of people in the law enforcement environment is going to take polished skills of many types.

Tags: capella university, criminal justice, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, Masters Degrees

Employment Opportunities With an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice

James — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:26:50 +0000

An associate’s degree in criminal justice will provide entry for you into the low to mid-level employment opportunities in the field. This level of study should qualify you for work as a paralegal, for certain jobs in corrections, security and some courtroom functions. An associate’s degree is also a solid foundation should you choose to move up the ladder at a later point, into a professional position that requires education beyond a two-year degree.

Paralegals generally function as support troops for attorneys. As the profession has grown, so has the depth of responsibility that attorneys can, and do delegate to their paralegals. This will certainly include legal research and may include writing briefs based on the research. They identify appropriate laws, previous judicial rulings and legal articles that may apply to the case. They may also draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court.

In the corporate world, paralegals assist with employee contracts, stock option and employee benefit plans. They also assist in the preparation of financial reports and make sure they are filed properly. A paralegal may oversee government regulations as they pertaining to the corporate business and monitor for regulatory and legal changes.

You can obtain an associate’s degree in criminal justice with specialization in court activities. The job of a court clerk is to keep the courtroom’s daily activities flowing. A court clerk will call cases off the docket and have the case file ready to hand to the judge. Upon completion of the court’s actions regarding that case, the court clerk will take the file back and see to it that the judge’s actions are carried out.

Often, this will mean a document or set of documents sent to other arms of the court system relaying the judge’s directives on the case. The court clerk tracks appearances and non- appearances, and generally keeps the paper flow and case work moving in the court to which he or she is assigned.

Some county court systems have a corps of bailiffs that is separate from the county sheriff’s office. An associate’s degree many qualify you for the position of court bailiff. These individuals provide security in the courtroom while court is in session. Often, they escort detainees from their cells to their court appearances. They may find themselves searching the hallways for an attorney regarding a case before the court. The bailiff acts as an assistant to the judge in many ways, just as the court clerk does. A bailiff, however, is a uniformed security officer who maintains order among defendants and all other courtroom occupants.

Security and corrections opportunities might include prison guard or counselor. Private security opportunities might include lower level supervisory roles for security firms or in corporate security departments. Some police departments might find an associate’s degree sufficient for an application as police officer. There are a large number of job opportunities in the criminal justice system that are available to persons holding AA degrees and many of them are interesting – particularly in the paralegal field.

Tags: Associates Degrees, criminal justice, Degrees, employment, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, paralegal

A Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management

James — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:29:32 +0000

A master’s program in criminal justice is generally sought by people who are interested in taking a management role somewhere in the criminal justice system or who are interested in research and teaching in the field. Because of the management focus, many of the core courses will provide the basics in business, finance, and management and computer technology.

Management roles in every aspect of criminal justice require these basics, including the command roles in law enforcement. Police captains and chiefs must be able to analyze crime data, manage budgets, handle personnel issues and understand the database systems that every police department relies on today.

Most of the management positions in criminal justice are in the public sector. Probation and parole departments, corrections facilities and rehabilitation programs are either government-run or organizations that are contracted by the government to provide these services. Understanding the basics of public administration are an important component of management in criminal justice. This will include knowledge of the budget and spending process that is unique to government. It will also require a sensitivity to the public nature of the business and the frequent exposure in the media of various criminal justice issues.

The curriculums for criminal justice master’s programs address these issues and others. There will be a class on the ethics of criminal justice, which can be a complex issue in the area of law enforcement. Ethnic and social sensitivity is a requirement for criminal justice graduate course work. Police officers and in particular, probation officers perform best when they understand the social, economic and cultural pressures that may be involved in the cases with which they come in contact. Managing people who work in these jobs requires an even more thorough understanding of environmental impact on crime.

Personnel management is also an important skill to the individual who takes his or her master’s degree in criminal justice into the private sector. Many corporations today have rightfully become very security conscious, especially those whose business operations are global in scope. An individual who joins the corporate world to oversee or overhaul a company’s security system is dealing with more than the alarms attached to the doors.

For this reason, the master’s degree curriculum will address cyber-theft and the security of online technology. Companies today spend enormous sums to protect their databases. In many cases, they are obligated by law to build layers of security into their computer systems in order to protect the privacy of their customers. There are security experts that specialize in technology security, but they also need a background in criminal justice.

They need to understand what is going on in the criminal world, what investigative techniques are necessary to identify and convict an alleged techno-thief and what the law is regarding consumer privacy. All of these issues are addressed in criminal justice graduate study. Corporate security has become as active and interesting a job market as criminal justice in the public sector. With a master’s in criminal justice, you can go in either direction.

Tags: criminal justice, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, management, Masters Degrees

What an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Can Do For You

James — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:33:37 +0000

Educational standards for law enforcement jobs are climbing steadily. Civil service exams have been the traditional rite of passage for police department applicants, with educational requirements minimal. That standard is changing, both for police and deputy sheriff applicants as well as correctional officers. The law enforcement listings in a recently consulted government jobs website listed a position for correctional officer in Green Bay Wisconsin. It was the typical jail monitor and prisoner movement type job, but entry level requirements included an associate’s degree in criminal justice “or a related field.”

That is indicative of the change that is occurring for sworn personnel positions. Physical condition is important but increasingly, so are interpersonal skills, knowledge of the law and investigative practices. Officers who do not understand the workings of the criminal justice system are officers that are more likely to make mistakes.

Some jobs in the area of social work require college exposure to criminal justice. The Children’s Protective Services bureau in many counties ask that their entry level counselors have an associate’s degree in criminal justice or social work. Many times, an endangered child is in a house where other types of criminal behavior may be present. Social welfare agencies have recognized that fact. As the laws have become more stringent regarding child abuse in the home, agency response to suspect households has become somewhat more militant.

The same is true for counseling services provided to women in crisis who are abuse victims. The case workers assigned to reports of this nature are often people with enforcement backgrounds, out of probation or parole departments. Those departments who have workers assigned full time to abuse reports may require criminal justice backgrounds of applicants for those positions.

Probation officers in the juvenile justice system may be eligible with an associate’s degree, although many departments now require bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. There are counseling and correctional positions within the juvenile justice system that are similar to the correctional treatment officers in prisons: these jobs may only require an associate’s degree.

Many of the court clerk positions at the county and state level require certification and completion of some mandatory classes. An associate’s degree in criminal justice may be acceptable as a replacement for some of the training, although the testing requirement will not change. Oversight of a court clerk’s pool or a similar mid-level management position may also be an employment possibility for a graduate with an associate’s degree.

The fact is that law enforcement and criminal justice job requirements change with every jurisdiction: each county in a state will have its own courthouse employment requirements and every police and sheriff’s agency will also have their own guidelines for applicants. State law enforcement and court employment standards for education may be a little higher than at the local level, but again no two states are alike.

In the case of an associate’s degree, there are jobs in the criminal justice field where the completion of the degree will help you obtain the position. It will take research on your part and a fairly specific occupational goal in order to determine where that fit may be that will benefit you.

Tags: associates degree, criminal justice, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Steps to Earning a Criminal Justice Degree

James — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:27:20 +0000

Criminal justice degrees are available through traditional universities and online. The online courses tend to offer fewer course options to meet a given requirement. Of course, there is also no campus to attend four or five days a week and no set class hours. Online college programs tend toward efficient design, providing an accredited degree with a thorough knowledge of the subject matter in as short a period as practicable. To get an idea of the range of topics covered in a criminal justice major, this article will outline the course lineup for a four-year university and an online college. Each course of study results in a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

The brick-and-clock tower university has general education, or “core requirements” that, on completion, will constitute the foundation for a fairly comprehensive liberal arts degree. There are natural sciences and a literature or fine arts requirement, American history and one of three computer classes, math, statistics, public speaking, and writing classes. There are four behavioral sciences requirements, including economics and three public affairs courses such as Law and Public Policy.

The criminal justice courses cover the criminal justice system and the theory of criminal justice policy. Crime and public policy is a course requirement as is American Law Enforcement and a course in Corrections. Also required is a course on the criminal courts and a substantive course on criminal law, along with three additional criminal justice electives.

That’s four years of college education that includes a careful inspection of criminal justice and its history from every perspective including the squad car, the bench, and the jail cell. The courses for the online degree are every bit as thorough regarding the major but provide far fewer options for the core courses.

The online course outlined here is from the University of Phoenix Online and is designed for professionals already working in the field or a related field and who wish to further their opportunities. The three baseline courses on the roster are Skills for Professional Development, Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement and Organized Crime.

From there, the curriculum moves into all of the components of the criminal justice system. There are courses in: Juvenile Justice. Policing. Criminal Procedure. Criminology. Interpersonal Communications. Court System. Corrections.

In the area of the social aspects and research, course requirements include cultural diversity in the field, ethics in criminal justice, managing criminal justice personnel and overall criminal justice administration. There are perhaps six other courses in the curriculum, all of which hone in on singular aspects of the subject.

It is fair to say that the orientation of the online course is more enforcement related than that of the university course requirements. However as University of Phoenix says in its program introduction, the criminal justice degree that they present is a means to an end. It is also a degree that can be awarded in less than four years. In the case of both sets of degree requirements, it is clear that a criminal justice professional must understand the rules of the environment in which he or she works and have the skills to understand and communicate with the people he or she encounters every day.

Tags: criminal justice, Degrees, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Criminal Justice As A Career

Chesley — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:47:24 +0000

Today the criminal justice field is highly diversified. There are a vast number of different positions just waiting to be filled by ready, willing and qualified individuals. Many are willing, most are ready, but there are quite a few who find themselves to be under qualified for the position they seek. What is the main qualification that most of these positions are looking for? Education is the resounding answer. No matter which field of criminal justice is examined the drive to promote individuals past the level of middle management is pushed by the search for those who are well educated.

Whether one is performing research in the field or teaching new criminal justice students there are many different managerial positions and academic positions that require a bachelor’s degree at the very least. A job in the Federal Bureau of Investigation only requires a bachelor’s degree in any field as long as the aspiring agent is fluent in another language as well as English or has three years work experience. If they do not possess these qualifications then they must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a law degree. In comparison, the ATF and DEA both require a bachelor’s degree, but they do not have to be in the criminal justice field as far as entry level positions go.

A police officer is one of the most common members of the criminal justice field. Most of these positions are considered civil service so little education beyond a high school diploma has been traditionally required. Now a good many law enforcement bodies are beginning to encourage continued education especially in the criminal justice area. When one examines the court system they will find that bailiffs are normally deputy sheriffs and as such will fall under the same requirements as the local police officers. The court clerks, however, are usually required to have some degree of training in the criminal justice field. Whether it be a college degree or a certification will be up to the court to which they apply.

The position of probation officer may differ in job requirements from state to state and county to county. In most likelihood the position will require a degree of some sort in either criminal justice or social work. In order to move into higher management in this particular corner of the field a master’s degree in criminal justice will most likely be the degree of choice. The same goes for correctional treatment specialists. It is highly likely that these positions will also require a higher degree of education.

No matter the job that is chosen in the criminal justice field, the odds are that a degree will be required in order to advance past middle management. It is easy to see why the largest part of criminal justice classes today are full of current officers who are looking to grow beyond the lower levels of the criminal justice field.

Tags: criminal justice, entry level positions, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement

Criminal Justice Education Through Distance Learning

Chesley — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:43:50 +0000

The criminal justice field is wide open with opportunities for those who wish to grow within the ranks. One requirement, however, for most of these positions is that the applicant should posses an associate’s degree or beyond. There are many different sources available for obtaining said degree. There are the options of technical schools, community colleges, and universities. Unfortunately for many people today the rigorous demands of campus life and hectic schedules are not compatible with a nontraditional educational experience.

This can especially be the case with those who currently work in the criminal justice field. With long hours and little time to devote to just as long classroom hours a degree may be out of the question for those who have only considered these traditional forms of education. Today though there is an option available that many have yet to consider. What was once considered to be one of the only other opportunities available, correspondence courses have received a much needed face lift and a renewed lease on life.

Now known as distance education, these courses can be taken in the comfort of one’s own home and at a pace that is determined by their individual needs. One advantage to today’s distance learning courses is that many of the old manila envelopes that once had to be mailed in have since been replaced by email tests and Internet based learning. A person new to the field can acquire any degree necessary, be it an associate’s all the way up to the doctoral level. Another benefit to the distance educational opportunities available today is the ability to apply any existing college credits to the course in order to shorten the amount of work necessary. This is accomplished by cutting out all lessons that are considered repetitive.

No matter what level of education one is pursuing there is a distance educational opportunity tailored to suit their exact needs. Be it a current police officer seeking his associate’s degree in criminal justice in order to get a promotion, or a probational officer looking at gaining his master’s in order to be promoted to upper management, the courses are available from a number of online distance education providers. One has only to run a search based on the level of education for which they are searching.

A major advantage of the distance education courses is the speed at which one can complete the degree programs. Criminal justice degrees that once took more than four years can now be completed in just two to three. These nontraditional students can accomplish this feet while still working as well which makes them a huge draw to people that are supporting a family. No matter whether they are called distance education courses or just correspondence courses, the end result is the same. They allow individuals to gain an edge in the job market that they didn’t have.

Tags: criminal justice, distance learning, distance learning courses, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences

A Paralegal Studies Degree Online

Chesley — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:49:36 +0000

Early on in the 1960s, when the paralegal career first developed, the position of the paralegal was sort of an upgrade from a legal secretary. A paralegal was less of an office operations focused job, and not a clear profession.

As the position took shape as the role of an “attorney’s assistant,” post-secondary educational programs were developed to form a certification process. This certification process was recognized by the American Bar Association. The Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) emerged from this process, and is directly related to what we call a paralegal today. The terms have basically the same meaning.

Many technical colleges and other schools still provide these legal assistant certification programs. Today, there are online educational institutions that offer associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies. Some colleges do offer a master’s level paralegal studies program, but that is rarely a requirement to begin a career as a paralegal, and it is not offered at as many schools as lower collegiate degrees in paralegal studies are.

Kaplan University provides both levels of undergraduate degrees online in paralegal studies. Some of the programs offered at Kaplan are the standard bachelor’s of science in paralegal studies, the BS in paralegal studies/alternative dispute resolution, the BS in paralegal studies/office management, and the BS in paralegal studies/personal injury.

Both degrees, associate’s and bachelor’s, require some liberal arts study and focuses paralegal subjects. These include English composition and literature, history, social sciences and a course or two in the areas of fine arts and science as well as torts, family law, legal writing, arbitration and conflict resolution, criminal law, legal research and a course on the structure and functions of the legal system.

While similar basics are covered on both collegiate degree levels, the bachelor’s program naturally covers topics in a greater depth. At a traditional college or university, an associate’s degree would take two years, and a bachelor’s would take four years. The online learning system has accelerated programs that allow students to complete the requirements for these degrees in less time. This study time is considerably shorter if you enroll online with transferable college credits that you have already completed.

Entry level positions at a law office as a legal secretary or clerk might be acquired with minimal certification. Requirements for positions with more case related responsibility like a paralegal are becoming higher. Many law firms desire applicants to posses at least an associate’s degree or, in many cases, a bachelor’s degree. With online programs, these requirements are easier than ever to meet.

Paralegals are often responsible for drafting arguments for attorneys, brief writing, interviewing potential clients, and other law office duties. This is why a four year degree in paralegal studies is desirable. If you are interested in a career like this and don’t want to spend four years on a a campus, online programs may be the path you want to take.

Tags: graduate degree, kaplan university, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law firms, paralegal

Paralegal Degree Options Online

Chesley — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:39:29 +0000

There are many paralegals who are able to land the position with a certificate alone; the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certificate to be exact. The job was created in the 1960s, and at that time there was a list of training requirements and a certification process was developed. Colleges then developed degree programs for the role of the paralegal, which separated this position from that of a legal secretary. Paralegals are more involved with legal case preparation, case research, and drafting court documents.

In paralegal studies, colleges offer associate’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Online institutions provide these and certification programs for the aspiring paralegal, and completion can take nine to eighteen months. Some of these programs require internships. If you are interested in breaking into the business, certification might be a means for you to do so.

Only a handful of institutions offer paralegal studies at the master’s level. These are more geared for individuals who want to teach paralegal studies. A majority of individuals interested in this career opt for the associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

The typical associate’s degree program in paralegal studies requires core courses in liberal arts along with paralegal courses. Some of the liberal arts topics covered are science, mathematics, social science, English language and literature, and American history. A bachelor’s degree program in paralegal studies will have similar requirements, only more credits will be needed.

Classes related to paralegal studies may include legal writing, case research, torts, law office management and the judicial system. An associates degree online would take less than two years, which is the normal amount of time this level of degree would take at a community college.

The accelerated learning programs online for the bachelor’s degree level may take two to three years to complete, as opposed to the four years a traditional college would normally require. As with the associate’s level, there will be a core of liberal arts and a number of paralegal studies electives. A more thorough background is provided with a bachelor’s degree.

Kaplan University has a paralegal studies department that offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Their bachelor’s program has four separate options: general paralegal studies, or a paralegal bachelor’s degree with a specialty in alternative dispute resolution, office management, or in personal injury.

Some law firms have raised the education level required to begin as a paralegal, since the career has become more popular. While certification might help an individual obtain an entry level position with a law firm, those with college degrees would be employed with more case-related responsibilities. There are certain law firms that require a bachelor’s degree from the beginning.

Tags: associates degree, degree programs, kaplan university, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law firms, paralegal

Getting a Paralegal Degree Online

Chesley — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:09:20 +0000

Approximately 85% of all paralegals have some form of post-secondary education, even though it is not always required. Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in paralegal studies are more common than master’s degree programs in paralegal studies. A majority of institutions only offer up to the bachelor’s level in this field.

It has come to the point in time when an associate’s degree is often not enough to be hired as a paralegal. Many firms are now seeking individuals with a bachelor’s degree. In fact, it is the recommendation of the NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations) that paralegals should have a four-year college degree when starting out in the field, and paralegals “should have 24 semester hours or the equivalent of legal specialty courses to enhance their ability to practice as paralegals.”

The NFPA trusts online educational institutions that provide distance learning programs through the internet. They have stated: “NFPA believes that distance education is a viable alternative within NFPA’s existing core curriculum and education policies. Accessibility of paralegal education is most important in being able to draw in future professionals, and distance education provides that means. Due to its accessibility and flexibility, for a select group of highly motivated students distance education may be the only form of paralegal education available.”

You do not necessarily need to dedicate four full years to working towards a bachelor’s degree online. Online colleges use accelerated teaching methods and learning programs, and this can shorten the amount of time it takes to meet the credentials for a degree. If you already have some college credits, these can be transferred to an online college and this will also shorten the amount of time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. With these things in mind, a bachelor’s in paralegal studies may only take two-three years to attain.

There are a very comprehensive paralegal studies programs available through Kaplan University. They offer four bachelor’s programs in the field:

BS for Paralegal Studies. This is a general degree for individuals beginning in the field.

BS for Paralegal Studies/Alternative Dispute Resolution. Paralegals with this degree may need to perform a great deal or research and writing.

BS for Paralegal Studies/Office Management. A legal secretary looking to be promoted to a management role might take this major.

BS for Paralegal Studies/Personal Injury. This degree has a specialized focus and is good for an individual working at a firm that focuses on persona injury, or handles a good amount of personal injury cases.

Tags: kaplan university, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, paralegal

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies

Chesley — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:39:16 +0000

There is more than one road to a position as a paralegal. The National Association of Legal Assistants say that formal educational training is not always required. With hands-on experience through apprenticeship under an experienced attorney can match the standing of a certificate.

Even though it may be possible to land a job as a paralegal without a degree, most individuals seeking this career will obtain an education in the field. These paralegal candidates may enroll in a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program. These can be obtained either on campus or online through many colleges and universities.

There are a number of colleges and universities that offer online education programs and distance learning options these days. Entry level paralegal positions can be landed with an associates or bachelor’s degree. Some master’s programs in paralegal studies can lead to legal administration positions. The responsibilities of a paralegal vary depending on the particular law firm you may be applying to.

An associate’s degree typically focuses more on clerical work and law office management rather than detailed legal knowledge. A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies will provide general education that covers history, mathematics, and English.

According to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, a bachelor’s degree is becoming the standard level of education required for a paralegal’s position. The federation has set a general curriculum requirement for a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.

General education should cover: English Composition/Grammar Mathematics Logic/Philosophy Speech/Communication Earth or Natural Science Political Science/History Sociology Humanities, including Philosophy

Preferred electives include: Business Computer Science/Literacy Foreign Language Psychology Economics

The practices and theories that undergraduates should be exposed to are: Litigation/Civil Procedure, Legal Research and Writing, Real Property Transaction, Business and Corporate Law Wills, Trust and Estate Planning and Family Law Torts Contracts. Also, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Advanced Litigation/Civil Procedure, Bankruptcy, Debtor/Creditor Rights, Administrative Law, Pension/Profit Sharing, Law Office Economics and Management, Tax Law, Labor Relations/Employment Law, and Intellectual Property are classes that would prove beneficial.

Most bachrlor’s degree programs in paralegal studies will include these or similar course offerings. Having a bachelor’s can provide the confidence and background necessary to apply at just about any law firm and apply for a paralegal position.

Tags: Bachelors Degrees, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, paralegal

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies On the Internet

Chesley — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:13:34 +0000

An associate’s degree is a worthy investment for individuals who are interested in embarking on a paralegal career. This is true even though there are certificate programs available that do not result in a degree in paralegal studies. An associate’s degree in paralegal studies can be obtained online in less than two years, and would offer a stronger foundation our understanding in the field than a certificate program would. In addition to that, these college credits might be applied towards a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or another major.

Kaplan University has an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies course of study with the following core classes: Academic Strategies for the Paralegal, Professional College Composition, Software Applications, College Composition Communications, College Algebra (or higher), Legal Ethics, Diversity and Culture History, and Career Development Strategies.

After completing those courses, the next batch of classes would probably be: Paralegalism Today, Civil Litigation I: Contracts, Civil Litigation II: Legal Research, Paralegal Elective, Paralegal Elective Associate’s Capstone in Paralegal Studies.

The curriculum at Kaplan University covers certain general education requirements that could be applied to any liberal arts education. Along with general and specific law courses, there are classes that help to improve writing skills and offer technical background in related software. As a new paralegal, having an associate’s degree can boost your confidence because of the professional knowledge that you will have attained. You will feel like a graduate, not someone who was simply trained for a job.

There is also an associate’s paralegal studies degree offered by Everest College online and on each of their nine campuses. Florida Metropolitan University has a paralegal studies program that results in an associate’s degree as well. You can search local community colleges and universities about online classes or extension programs. Almost fifty percent of all colleges and universities offer such programs.

Even if you are going to take live classes, much of the interaction between students and professors occurs on the internet. Faculty may post lecture notes and class assignments online. Some community colleges require that yo physically attend classes, but you might be able to find the information you need online.

An associate’s degree obtained on the internet is a better foundation than a simple certificate, and opens up the opportunity for further education down the road. You can begin as a paralegal, attain your associates degree, and later pursue a higher degree after you have gained experience. Bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies can be acquired on the internet as well.

Tags: associate degree, associates degree, Degrees, kaplan university, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, paralegal

Degree Programs for the Paralegal

Chesley — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:03:51 +0000

A paralegal is another name for a legal assistant. The National Association of Legal Assistants recorded more than six hundred education and training programs in the United States. There is a variety of courses available in a number of colleges and universities. Paralegal studies can be completed at community colleges, four-year colleges or by using online institutions. Programs can take as little as six months to more than five years if you are pursuing a master’s degree.

A Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) is normally the goal of a many of these training programs. Such educational programs would qualify students for an entry level positions in a law facility such as a file clerk or legal secretary.

There are associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees available under paralegal studies. Many more colleges, universities, and online institutions offer paralegal bachelor’s and associate’s degrees than master’s degree programs. A master’s degree in paralegal studies is a little more difficult to come by.

A two year degree, an associates program, in paralegal studies would probably include courses such as family law, torts, legal writing, case law research, civil rights and other legal subjects. Even though the program is only two years long, it can equip a student with a basic understanding of the business of law.

There is a more in depth experience provided in a bachelor’s degree program in paralegal studies. More liberal arts an more legal topics will be covered. The courses in a bachelor’s degree program in paralegal studies covers basic civil law in greater depth than that of an associate’s degree, and it allows for more elective classes.

Paralegals have held positions in law offices since the nineteen sixties. There are a number of responsibilities that a paralegal may be required to handle, and these might be just as many as an attorney would have to handle. The educational requirements for paralegals have grown along with the demands and complexity of the position. Many law firms will no longer accept only associate’s degrees, and only hire those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

It is important to remember that with many online degree programs, bachelor’s degrees can be obtained in less than three years, and an associate’s degree might be obtained in less than two years. If you are interested in pursuing an education in the paralegal field, consult some of the law firms in your area about what their requirements are.

Tags: Degrees, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law firms, paralegal

Personal Financial Planning Courses

Shivani Bhatt — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:48:40 +0000

Everybody wants to be informed about the financial situation and planning it. The need for financial independence is very big and people are constantly searching for the right person to help them. If you are interested in being this person, you should consider to be well informed about this field. Think about joining the courses available to become a professional in this field of employment.

A number of schools offer certification programs in personal financial planning. This course requires coursework in basic financial planning principles. This course includes Overview of financial planning, Insurance, Principles and methods of investments, Income tax planning, Retirement and employee benefits planning, Estate planning.

Outline of Financial Planning

Generally the certification courses offered by the various schools cover the basics of financial planning. The initial classes give an overview of the way finances control our lives. The financial planners learn about: Identifying and defining financial objectives. Principles of cash flow, Insurance, College funds, Taxes, Benefits, Retirement, Estate planning.

Insurance

In the present age, Insurance has become very important. Everyone wants insurance. Recognizing this need and the way it is needed to be handled in the individual financial condition, helps the investor to make proper decisions. Upon the completion of the course, you will understand the various insurance products and their salient features available to the common man. The topics covered are Life insurance, Annuities, Disability, Long-term medical care, Home and auto insurance, Umbrella policies, Medicare and Medicaid.

Principles and Methods of Investments

This course will teach you all the knowledge a financial planner is supposed to know. It covers: Securities laws and regulations Time value of money, Risk analyses, Stock valuation, Expected rates of return, Market indicators, Fundamental and technical analyses, Bonds, Options, Warrants, Futures and Mutual funds.

Income Tax and Tax Planning

Financial planners are expected to know about the income tax and related tax planning. Therefore a serious interest in this class is advisable. This course includes: Tax theory and tax laws, Income, Deductions, Tax rates, Tax credits, Sales, Exchanges, Tax-sheltering investments and Passive activity rules.

Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning

When people are looking for a financial planner for them, not only are they looking for a person who will give them the right advice for the present, but also a person who will suggest them the way to invest their money so that they have a peaceful retired life too. Upon the completion of the course, you will be able to do a proper and complete retirement needs analysis. Also you will be able to understand and advice on the advantages and disadvantages of different retirement packages. Other important topics included in this course are: Tax deferrals and capital accumulation, Stock options, Non-qualified, deferred compensation plans, Tax-favored, corporate retirement plans, SIMPLEs, IRAs, SEPs and Profit-sharing plans.

Estate Planning

Recently a growing concern has been observed among people. This is the concern of wishes being fulfilled when they are no longer physically capable. The course also teaches you the ways to counsel a client so that they can transfer their resources, funds and assets to their heir. Also how these choices can have an effect on their tax objectives. Wills, living trusts, lifetime gifts and trusts, holding titles to property, life insurance and annuities, legal aspects, and post-death taxes are covered.

The opportunities in this field are immense. The tax law alterations and amendments will help you in achieving your goal as a financial planner. So go and get your certification now!

Tags: business, Business and Management, certification program, coursework, Degrees, finance, financial planning, Law and Social Sciences, management, Online Degrees, Schools

Making a Difference with Payroll Accounting

Shivani Bhatt — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:25:56 +0000

Payroll accounting is probably the most notable job at any office. This department keeps a record of wages that is paid to the employees. The wages are of two types, one, what the employee earns from an organization and second, real wages i.e. the actual monetary amount the employee is paid.

One another vital function of the payroll accounting department is planning the benefit package of an organization. Most individuals do not understand the advantages of benefit package. The benefit package plays a great role in the acceptance of job by a person. The benefit package includes benefits such as vacation, medical reimbursement, pension benefits etc.

A pension benefits are quite common for a majority of employers. The pension plan is based on distinct statistics of every employee. The more a person has worked for the organization, the more benefits he/she will receive. The pension benefits are made compulsory by the Federal Law . That is why; the pension benefits are similar in all organizations. The duration of employment also determines the type of pension plan. A person typically needs to be associated for about 5-10 years with a company to be eligible for pension.

The Benefits packages and pension plans are wonderful for both the employer and the employee. While the employees feel taken care of, the employers have the assurance of being aware of the procedures in case of injuries, illness, and maternity leave. Another important but may be less sincere factor is the circumstances where an member of staff is not very contented with his profession, here the employer may have the assurance that the employee is more likely to stay till the time they become eligible for the pension benefits.

This privilege of the employees has also been misused in corporate America. Some employers cunningly let go of members of staff weeks or months before they become eligible for the pension plan. This devious method of preventing somebody to have what should be rightfully theirs is very common in the corporate world. There is not much a person can do to prevent it from occurring.

One should always remember that the benefit plans are there to help in getting through the professional year. Due to the stress generated by the demanding job and the threatening deadlines, people are driven to work more than their health permits and suffer the consequences.

Informative websites like www.iwantmyvacation.com have come about to help individuals be aware of their choices and their benefits. Visit it to learn more about your options. You may not be in a situation to organize everything, but you can surely decide on spending your time in the way you want to.

Ensure that your present employer is offering you the benefits what should rightfully be yours. In any organization, everyone is not equal, but they sure have to work as a team to achieve any goal. Attempt to accomplish it.

Tags: accounting, business, Business and Management, Degrees, Law and Social Sciences, management

Health Care Goes to Law School

James — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:41:01 +0000

With the advent of managed care and the assortment of health care reform bills that have been voted out of Congress recently, healthcare is closing in on becoming an area of legal specialization. Some law schools now teach health law in a program format, with a series of courses available that cover various aspects of the subject. Upon completion of the requisite course hours and field work, the law student is awarded with a Certificate in Health Law to accompany his Juris Doctor on the office wall.

Medical malpractice and insurance disputes have been stalwarts in the legal field for years. A newer area of legal conflict are bioethical issues which, at this point, are equally at home in the legislature as in court. Included in this area are matters such as genetic data privacy, gene- based alterations of agricultural and pharmaceutical products, and a number of medical therapies coming on line. These are public policy issues that are working their way into the courtroom. Related to these issues is the body of law that has grown around the Food and Drug Administration and, among other issues, their administration of drug development.

Individual rights are a legal healthcare issue when in comes to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Access to health care for the poor is a developing civil rights issue, with national advocacy groups in place and classes in law schools addressing the matter as a sole topic. The right to privacy for personal medical records has been a major political and legal concern. The passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) created an entire legal structure for the protection and personal control of an individual’s medical records. But as with every protective measure there are exceptions, and those have led to a small but lively industry of HIPAA inspired lawsuits.

Healthcare delivery and child welfare are occasionally conflicting issues that speak to parental rights and have been fought out in highly publicized trials. Withholding important medical educational information from children has also come before the courts. Public health is a major area of legal specialty, involving state and federal legislation, funding, regulation and healthcare as it relates to taxes.

Managed care issues that are addressed in law school include health care financing, antitrust due to the consolidation of HMOs and equal access. Medicare and Medicaid rights are closely related to managed care, as is the issue of assumed risk for the medical personnel who work for the large and growing healthcare organizations. Fraud and system abuse have also become worthy of legal study since false insurance claims begin to emerge as a substantial problem, involving both patients and the medical community.

At least one law school has an entire course dedicated to e-medicine. Among other things it covers the transmission of medical imaging and pharmaceutical practices: generally the issues are security, privacy and technology. Records transmission and claims transactions are points of discussion within the context of the internet as an active participant in the practice of medicine.

Tags: education, health care, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law firms, Medical and Nursing, Medical and Nursing, paralegal, Schools, specialization

Law and Social Science Campus Programs

Ryan — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:17:33 +0000

In the criminal justice field, you can earn a bachelor degree in forensic psychology, fraud analysis, or even crime scene examination. These specialties are quickly becoming important roles in law enforcement organizations of every size. Specialists in forensic psychology often find themselves working with the court system as much as with a law enforcement bureau. A degree from one of many criminal justice colleges can help you land a job at a probation department, parole division or as a court investigator. The number and variance of career opportunities in the field of criminal justice today are growing rapidly.

By earning a criminal justice degree with a paralegal concentration you will be able to begin working in a legal profession. There are programs for certificates, associates degrees and bachelors degrees in paralegal studies. Many law firms are willing to hire paralegals with certificates or associates degrees and let them expand their education on the job. However, earning a bachelors degree, through law school, in the paralegal field creates a better opportunity for career advancement because you will be able to take on tasks that would otherwise be given to lawyers. A degree in paralegal studies can be valuable to you, as well as the law firm that employs you.

If you have a nursing background, you can obtain a certificate through an online school that will qualify you to be a forensic nurse, or nurse legal consultant. These are post-RN studies that allow you to consult with legal firms that need medical expertise or research on cases that involve injury to clients or others involved in the case. Legal nurse consultants can develop very lucrative careers. A number of nurses who have retired from clinical work cases have switched to the law office with the help of courses in legal consulting.

Tags: Bachelors Degrees, Certificates, court investigator, criminal justice, forensic nurse, forensic psychology, fraud analysis, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, law firms, lucrative careers, paralegal, parole division

Law and Social Science Online Programs

Ryan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:23:48 +0000

Online schools provide extensive educational opportunities in the criminal justice field. Depending on what your specialization is, the levels of study range from certification to PhD. There will always be career opportunities in the criminal justice field because of the growing numbers of criminals entering the system and also because of the rise of specializations within this field. Enrolling in online criminal justice courses or law enforcement training results in learning your law enforcement certification, which is the first important step to take in this field. These programs allow you to choose whether you want to be certified for the corrections, or private security field. Corrections no longer means working as a prison guard, there’s more to it today, as well as more educational opportunities for training in this field. You can obtain an associates, bachelors or masters degree in corrections through distance learning. These online courses allow you to earn a degree and work as a security officer, as a corrections administrator or as a departmental manager at the state or federal level.

There are also criminal justice degrees online and online law enforcement schools. Today, some police departments require that police officer recruits have bachelors degrees. Others are merely looking for some higher education with some type of specialization in the criminal justice field, which you can obtain in a distance learning program. Additional training in the classroom is essential for most law enforcement officers who want to move up in rank. Online schools are perfect for the working police officer who needs to study in order to prepare for the civil service exam for the next level up in rank.

Tags: Bachelors Degrees, criminal justice, departmental manager, distance learning, Law and Social Sciences, Law and Social Sciences, law enforcement, prison guard

College-Pages.com » Law and Social Sciences

Earning a Business Law Degree

Related posts

A Degree in Criminal Justice Will Advance Your Career

Related posts

Careers For Those With a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree

Related posts

After Graduation From a Criminal Justice Degree Program

Related posts

How to Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree … FAST!

Related posts

Employment Opportunities in Criminal Justice

Related posts

Criminal Justice Degrees From ITT Technical Institute

Related posts

Criminal Justice and the Master’s Degree

Related posts

Employment Opportunities With an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Related posts

A Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management

Related posts

What an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Can Do For You

Related posts

Steps to Earning a Criminal Justice Degree

Related posts

Criminal Justice As A Career

Related posts

Criminal Justice Education Through Distance Learning

Related posts

A Paralegal Studies Degree Online

Related posts

Paralegal Degree Options Online

Related posts

Getting a Paralegal Degree Online

Related posts

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies

Related posts

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies On the Internet

Related posts

Degree Programs for the Paralegal

Related posts

Personal Financial Planning Courses

Related posts

Making a Difference with Payroll Accounting

Related posts

Health Care Goes to Law School

Related posts

Law and Social Science Campus Programs

Related posts

Law and Social Science Online Programs

Related posts