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College Major Spotlight:  Law Enforcement Programs

What is law enforcement?
Law enforcement programs train individuals to enforce laws in a variety of settings, including local, state and federal levels.  Training for law enforcement programs typically includes classroom instruction in constitutional law and civil rights, State laws and local ordinances, and accident investigation. Recruits also receive training and supervised experience in patrol, traffic control, the use of firearms, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.  Law enforcement officers, some of whom are State or Federal special agents or inspectors, perform these duties in a variety of ways depending on the size and type of their organization. In most jurisdictions, they are expected to exercise authority when necessary, whether on or off duty.

What do people who graduate from Law Enforcement Programs do?
People depend on law enforcement officers to protect their lives and property.

Police and detectives pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give warnings. A large proportion of their time is spent writing reports and maintaining records of incidents they encounter. Most police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice. Detectives, who are often called agents or special agents, perform investigative duties such as gathering facts and collecting evidence.

The daily activities of police and detectives differ depending on their occupational specialty—such as police officer, game warden, or detective—and whether they are working for a local, State, or Federal agency. Duties also differ substantially among various Federal agencies, which enforce different aspects of the law. Regardless of job duties or location, police officers and detectives at all levels must write reports and maintain meticulous records that will be needed if they testify in court.

The Federal Government works in many areas of law enforcement. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are the Government’s principal investigators, responsible for investigating violations of more than 200 categories of Federal law and conducting sensitive national security investigations. Agents may conduct surveillance, monitor court-authorized wiretaps, examine business records, investigate white-collar crime, or participate in sensitive undercover assignments. The FBI investigates a wide range of criminal activity, including organized crime, public corruption, financial crime, bank robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, espionage, drug trafficking, and cyber crime.

There are many other Federal agencies that enforce particular types of laws. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents enforce laws and regulations relating to illegal drugs. U.S. marshals and deputy marshals protect the Federal courts and ensure the effective operation of the judicial system. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents enforce and investigate violations of Federal firearms and explosives laws, as well as Federal alcohol and tobacco tax regulations.

Job outlook for graduates of law enforcement programs:
Job opportunities in most local police departments will be excellent for qualified individuals, while competition is expected for jobs in State and Federal agencies. Average employment growth is expected.  Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. A more security-conscious society and population growth will contribute to the increasing demand for police services.

Earnings:
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers had median annual earnings of $47,460 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,600 and $59,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,450. Median annual earnings were $43,510 in Federal Government, $52,540 in State government, and $47,190 in local government.

In May 2006, median annual earnings of police and detective supervisors were $69,310. The middle 50 percent earned between $53,900 and $83,940. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,410. Median annual earnings were $85,170 in Federal Government, $68,990 in State government, and $68,670 in local government.

In May 2006, median annual earnings of detectives and criminal investigators were $58,260. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,920 and $76,350. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,590. Median annual earnings were $69,510 in Federal Government, $49,370 in State government, and $52,520 in local government.

Federal law provides special salary rates to Federal employees who serve in law enforcement.

What type of law enforcement program should you consider?
Applicants usually must have at least a high school education, and some departments require 1 or 2 years of college coursework or, in some cases, a college degree. Law enforcement agencies encourage applicants to take courses or training related to law enforcement subjects after high school. Many entry-level applicants for police jobs have completed some formal postsecondary education, and a significant number are college graduates. Many junior colleges, colleges, and universities offer programs in law enforcement or administration of justice.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition

College Major Spotlight:  Homeland Security Programs

What do homeland security programs offer?
Homeland security programs train individuals to protect the United States of America from security threats and terrorism.  Training for homeland security programs typically includes classroom instruction in criminal justice, weapons of terrorism, emergency operations and counterintelligence.  Graduates of homeland security programs are trained to prevent, intercept, and problem-solve security and terrorism threats.
What do people who graduate from homeland security programs do?
Graduates of homeland security programs will be able to devise problem-solving strategies, using state, local, and national instruments of power, for foreign, domestic, and natural threats.  They will be able to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to developing appropriate security and response plans.  In addition, individuals working for the Department of Homeland Security will be tasked with identifying and coordinating resources to combat threats, minimize risks and reduce vulnerabilities across the country.

Job outlook for graduates of homeland security programs:
Job opportunities in the Department of Homeland Security  will be excellent for qualified individuals, and includes both entry-level and advanced careers.  There are jobs in every state and abroad, in the air, on land and at sea.

Earnings:
Because of the broad range of careers available to graduates of homeland security programs, it is difficult to state one figure or one earnings range.
What type of homeland security program should you consider?. Homeland security agencies encourage applicants to take courses or training related to their area of specialty.  Many junior colleges, colleges, and universities offer programs in homeland security or administration of justice.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2006/summer/art01.pdf

College Major Spotlight: Game Development Degree

What is a game development degree?
A game development degree allows you to apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of gaming software and systems that support computer games.

What do people with a game development degree do?
People with a game development degree Computer analyzing users’ needs, and then design, test, and develop gaming software to meet those needs. During this process they create the detailed sets of instructions, called algorithms, that tell the computer what to do. They also may be responsible for converting these instructions into a computer language, a process called programming or coding, but this usually is the responsibility of computer programmers. Computer software engineers must be experts in operating systems and middleware to ensure that the underlying systems will work properly.

Future prospects for those with a game development degree:
Job prospects should be excellent, as computer software engineers are expected to be among the fastest-growing occupations through the year 2016. Those with practical experience and at least a bachelor’s degree in game development, computer engineering or computer science should have the best opportunities. Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills. In addition to jobs created through employment growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.

Average salaries for someone with a game development degree:
Earnings for those with a game development degree vary by specialty, location, and level of responsibility. In May 2006, median annual earnings of wage-and-salary computer applications software engineers were $79,780. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,830 and $98,470. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,770.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering averaged $56,201 in 2007. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science averaged $53,396.

What should you consider when thinking about a game development degree?
Individuals seeking a game development degree should seek a program that provies a broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies. Academic programs in game development may offer the program as a degree option or in conjunction with computer science degrees. Students seeking game development degrees should enhance their employment opportunities by participating in internships or co-ops. These experiences provide students with broad knowledge and experience, making them more attractive to employers.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009 - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htm
Other Related links:
• GameDev.net (Resources for developers and online community) http://www.gamedev.net/
• GameJobs (employment site serving the interactive entertainment industry) http://gamejobs.com/

College Major Spotlight: Game Art Design

What is game art design?
Game art design is the creation of everything involved in a video game. This includes the writing of what the characters say, and the designing of the characters, the world they live in and the objects they interact with. It also includes the game programming, usually C++.

What do game art designers do?
This depends on the area you work in. Specialties range from creative (script-writing, designing what the game characters look like and what they wear, creating the environments, audio/sound creation, etc.) to programming (coding).

Future prospects for game art design careers:
The video game industry isn’t slowing down any time soon. In fact, Microsoft made over $425 million in 2008 from Xbox 360 sales alone. In 2001, the US market for video games surpassed the $9.4 billion mark.

Jobs available for graduates of game art design programs:
Jobs for game art designers include video game testers, game designer/writers, game design artists, game sound designers, game design programmers, market analysts, conceptual game design artists, video game background designers, 3D character designers, sound/audio artists, texture and prop artists.

Average salaries for game art design professionals:
Annual salaries for game design majors range from $35,000 to $75,000.

What type of game art design program should you consider? 
There are different computer game design degrees available, depending on what area you want to specialize in. For instance, there are degrees available that focus solely on video game programming. Most game art design degrees available will develop a student’s creativity. Many people in the industry attend four-year institutions and graduate with a Bachelor of Science (with a speciality in Game Design and Development or Digital Entertainment) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (with a speciality in Game Production, Visual Art or Game Art). However, there are many other game art design degree options. You can pursue an online game design degree, get a two year Associate computer game design degree or start your four-year game art design degree at community college.

Other Related links:
• Working so others can play: Jobs in game art design (Occupational Outlook Quarterly)
• GameDev.net (Resources for developers and online community) http://www.gamedev.net/
• GameJobs (employment site serving the interactive entertainment industry) http://gamejobs.com/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/

College Major Spotlight: Forensic Technician
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/

What is a forensic technician?
A forensic technician investigates crimes by collecting and analyzing evidence. Scientists often pursue a forensic science major to specialize in specific areas such as DNA, firearm, fiber, glass, hair, tissue and/or body fluid analysis.

What does a forensic technician do?
A career as a forensic technician involves the analysis of criminal evidence including DNA analysis, firearm examination, or the testing of weapons or substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids. A forensic technician may also provide information to the legal authorities in the form of expert opinions, reports, or expert witness testimonies.

Outlook for forensic technician jobs:
Because of the increased use of forensic studies to solve and prevent crime, jobs for forensic technicians are expected to increase much faster than the average. Strong forensic science job growth is expected for forensic technicians who work for state and county crime labs.

Types of forensic technician jobs:
Forensic technicians work primarily for state and local governments. Careers in forensics also include jobs as a medical examiner, crime scene examiner, or a forensic engineer.

What type of degrees should you consider to become a forensic technician?
This field generally requires a forensic science bachelor’s degree. There are several forensic science universities to choose from. Approximately 30 colleges offer a forensic science major / forensic science bachelor’s degree and there are several online forensic science degree programs.

Average salary for a forensic technician:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics forensic science online resource, forensic technician earned an average hourly salary of $25.46 and a yearly salary of $52,960.

Additional forensic science online resources:
Average salaries for a forensic technician

Job outlook for a forensic technician