Since the terrorist attacks in September 2001, the demand for individuals to work within law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies has increased exponentially. To meet that demand, colleges and universities across the U.S. have added criminal justice-related majors to their curricula.

In recent years, the FBI announced plans to go on a massive hiring spree to fill 2,100 professional staff vacancies and bring 850 special agents on board. The Department of Homeland Security intended to hire more than 4,300 new staff members, mainly for border protection duties.

If the your college does not offer a criminal justice major, you can still find a rewarding career in the field through these alternative doorways.

Business Majors - Terrorists and other criminal organizations cannot successfully operate long term without money and other financial assets. In fact, the infrastructure, hierarchy and business models of many of these criminal enterprises are similar to those used by legitimate businesses across the globe.

Where can an accountant's abilities be put to use within the criminal justice, law enforcement and intelligence fields? Accountants are the financial bloodhounds in following the money trail to help cripple illicit organizations. Their skills can also be used to pursue white-collar criminals who undertake such activities as insider trading and fraud.

Accounting and business majors in the criminal justice field can expect to work as revenue agents, tax examiners, criminal investigators or tax collectors. The FBI, Internal Revenue Service and inspector general's offices are among possible employers, along with their state and local equivalents.

Starting salaries range from $35,000 to $65,000. At the federal level, applicants typically need a bachelor's degree as well as at least 15 credit hours in accounting courses and nine credit hours in business-related courses.

Computer Science Majors - Computers have made life easier for all of us.  Unfortunately, their increased use has led to a rise in computer crimes, with the digital machines being the weapon of choice to hack into systems or perpetrate fraud. Computer forensics requires skilled professionals who can recover evidence, analyze data, crack codes and perform a variety of technical jobs in support of law enforcement, intelligence, military and other security operations.

Such jobs usually require background and other checks for a person to obtain security clearance to access classified and other sensitive information.

Computer science professionals can expect to work within the investigative or information technology section of an agency or company. Due to the variety of jobs available with this degree, median salaries can run from $65,000 to $95,000.

Graduates with additional certifications can expect to earn even more.

Language Majors - Due to advancements in technology, terrorist and criminal enterprises can operate through networks that span around the world. Though English may seem universal, language experts are needed to translate and interpret data that are obtained through recoveries, seizures, wiretaps and other means.

People who understand and are fluent in several foreign languages are needed to interact with police, military, diplomatic and intelligence officials overseas.

The job requirement is fairly straight forward: expertise in English and a target language. A degree in cultural studies or training in a specialized field, such as physics, can be helpful in standing out among applicants.

Language experts, whose salaries start around $35,000, will often work on an intelligence or public affairs team. Due to the sensitive nature of the information and material, they may be required to obtain security clearance and can expect to travel often on official business.