If you’re considering a career in the public sector, there are many directions you can take. The public sector is a broad term encompassing government, education, law enforcement, military, nonprofit, and other subsectors. Your choice will be governed primarily by a combination of your interests, credentials, and qualifications. Your interests are up to you. We’re here to help you with the credentials and qualifications.

No matter what stage of a public sector career you may be in—aspiring to enter the field for the first time or ready to advance within your current role—The University of Texas Permian Basin has an online program that will prepare you to take that next step. Each of our programs enables you to maintain your professional and personal commitments with 24/7 online access from anywhere in the world.

Let’s look at a few of these programs and related positions now.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice studies explores the various components of our criminal justice system and includes a broad range of general education courses to expand your knowledge of math, English, history, communication, and politics. If you’re considering a career in the criminal justice field, this type of bachelor’s degree provides an ideal starting point.

Our online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies degree is geared toward those who wish to work in roles such as:

  • Child Protective Services Investigator
  • Correctional Officer
  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • Police Officer
  • Probation Officer
  • State Trooper

Other advantages of this program:

  • Major in an increasingly topical field.
  • Build a foundation for a fulfilling career and life.
  • Empower yourself to help reform the criminal justice system from within.

Criminal Justice Administration Master’s Degree

Once you’ve earned a criminal justice-related bachelor’s degree and have begun a criminal justice career, a master’s degree program can provide the advanced knowledge and credentials that many agencies require for promotion to leadership positions with higher earning potential.

Our online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration degree is geared toward those who work in areas such as:

  • Community Corrections
  • Courts
  • Federal Agencies
  • Institutional Corrections
  • Nonprofit/Nongovernmental Agencies
  • Probation and Parole
  • State and Local Law Enforcement

Other advantages of this program:

  • Take part in a program ranked #5 in the nation for Best Law Enforcement Administration Graduate Programs by bestaccreditedcolleges.org.
  • Get started faster with no GRE requirement.
  • Graduate with no thesis requirement.
  • Empower yourself to help reform the criminal justice system from within.
  • Complete your degree in as little as one year.

Public Administration Master’s Degree

If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and have three or more years of full-time professional work experience, you can also pursue a public sector career by earning a master’s degree in public administration. This program is designed to help aspiring public and nonprofit professionals begin a career or move up to a more rewarding new phase of their current career.

Our online Master of Public Administration degree is geared toward those who wish to work in fields such as:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Economic Development
  • Fine Arts
  • Healthcare
  • Human Services
  • Nonprofits
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Public Safety
  • Transportation

Other advantages of this program:

  • Tailor your studies toward your specific area of interest.
  • Graduate with no thesis or internship requirements.
  • Finish your degree in as little as one year.

High Quality, Low Cost

All of these programs feature the same rigorous curriculum used in campus-based classes and are taught by the same field-experienced faculty. High quality doesn’t translate to high cost, however. Our competitive tuition rates are among the most affordable available from any regionally accredited university of our stature.

Greater Earning Potential

University degrees offer the potential for greater earnings and job security, according to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Bachelor’s degree holders’ median earnings are approximately 38% higher than those of associate degree holders and 48% higher than those who have not yet earned a college degree. Master’s degree holders earn about 18% more than bachelor’s degree holders. BLS data also shows that as an individual’s education level rises, their likelihood of unemployment decreases. The financial benefits of earning an undergraduate or graduate degree are considerable!

The best degrees for your public sector career are all right here and offered 100% online from UT Permian Basin.