Of course, not all security guards are created, or paid, equal. While some guards are content to walk the beat and pass the time, there's another group that take it to a whole new level. These are the degreed security guards. These guards are the cream of the crop, so to speak. They also command a higher paycheck.

And then you've got the lawyers. Once again, not all are created equal. Some college graduates, with no better alternative, decide law school is a suitable choice. Meanwhile there's another group of students who already hold a degree in criminal justice and are well equipped to advance their studies and their careers. They're starting out with a clear advantage.

Beyond that, what else do they have in common? Increasingly, technology is meeting law enforcement. This means that a number of these professionals have obtained a criminal justice degree online. Available degrees range all the way from associate's to Master's. Of course, the level of education a student chooses will have a direct impact on the aspect of the field in which they will work.

It's not just the lawyers and security guards. Police officers, court clerks, bailiffs, probation officers, paralegals, detectives, drug enforcement agents, juvenile delinquency case managers and corrections officers across the country have successfully obtained their criminal justice degrees online. And once they have completed their programs, they're finding more opportunities and much bigger paychecks waiting for them.

Consider for a moment the New York City Police Department. When evaluating new applicants, their policy states, ?Earning an associate's degree or bachelor's degree will set you apart from other candidates.? But it's not just the rookies. Their policy also makes it clear that when considering officers for promotions, that again ??holding a degree will set an officer apart in the testing for promotional positions.?

The job outlook for law enforcement professionals is outstanding. Crime remains a pressing concern as the government and state try to find effective solutions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there will be a 29% rise in demand by the year 2010 for police officers, FBI agents, detectives, and other related positions. The only possible remedy is to keep staffing trained individuals in both the private and public sectors. It's a simple case of supply and demand. As our needs as a society increase so does the pay rate of law enforcement professionals.

What's more, many employers will provide tuition assistance or even full reimbursement for a criminal justice degree online. And pursuing this dream won't take time away from work or family. An online education allows students the convenience of learning when and where they want.

The bottom line is this: a criminal justice degree online makes the most sense for anyone looking to make the world a better place. And that's whether they are already employed in the industry, and looking to climb up the ladder, or whether they are just setting out to pursue a job in the field.