Law and Public Safety

Are you interested in the law? Do you want to protect your community? The field of law, public safety and corrections offers a range of opportunities for you.

Career Pathways

Law and public safety have five career pathways:

• Law Enforcement: Individuals who fight crime and maintain public safety, such as police officers.
• Legal Services: Individuals who work with the law, such as judges, lawyers, and assistants at various levels.
• Emergency and Fire Management: Individuals who respond to emergencies or natural disasters, such as paramedics or firefighters.
• Correction Services: Individuals who work with law enforcement with a focus on those who have broken the law, such as a correction officer or probation officer.
• Security and Protection Services: Individuals who protect buildings or people, such as security guards or life guards.

Meta-Major: Public Safety

Are you interested in a career in the law or public safety but not sure what you want to do? Check out the public safety meta-major at your local state college. A meta-major is a collection of associate degree programs aligned to a general career area, such as public safety. Because all programs under the meta-major have common courses, you can pursue a relevant course of study before deciding on a specific degree program.

Education-Career-Income Connection

The field of law, public safety and corrections offers a broad range of occupations at varying education levels.

Training, Certificate or Associate's Degree		Bachelor's Degree
Life Guard	$22,410	Probation Officer	$53,020
Security Guard	$28,490	Fish and Game Warden	$57,710
Correction Officer	$44,330	Forensic Science Technician
Municipal or Forest Fighter	$49,620	Arbitrator or Mediator	$62,270
Paralegal and Legal Assistant	$50,940	Administrative Law Judge	$99,850
Court Reporter	$57,150	Lawyer	$120,910
Police Patrol Officer	$61,380	Judge or Magistrate Judge	$133,920
Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff	$61,380
Immigration and Customs Inspector	$81,920