Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
If you are interested in criminal justice, completing associates degree programs in criminal justice is a great way to gain a solid foundation of knowledge about this field. Typically, an associate degree program takes about two years to complete if you study full-time.
A criminal justice associate degree can prepare you for a career in fields such as:
- corporate security
- corrections
- court administration
- crime scene investigation
- homeland security
- paralegal
- victim services.
The degree can be earned either on campus or online. Costs vary from about $1,000 to $4,000 per semester, depending on the school you choose. One advantage of earning an associate degree is that credits earned can be applied toward a bachelor's degree if you decide to continue your studies.
The three main types of associate degrees in criminal justice are:
- Associate of Applied Science
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Science.
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
An Associate of Science degree in criminal justice is designed for students who plan on entering the workforce right after graduation. In this type of program, general educational requirements are altered to allow for more specific study in criminal justice. Coursework areas include:
- corrections
- crime and loss prevention
- criminal behavior
- criminal investigation
- juvenile delinquency
- law enforcement.
An Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice will prepare you for entry-level positions in:
- casino security and gaming surveillance
- homeland security
- loss prevention
- private security
- retail surveillance
- security management.
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
An Associate of Arts in criminal justice is for students who wish to work in the field right away, as well as those who would like to continue on toward a bachelor's degree. Studies focus on:
- correctional institutions
- courts
- interaction with criminal justice practitioners
- operations and processes of law enforcement
- theory, practice and applied technology of criminal justice.
Earning an Associate of Arts in criminal justice can prepare you for entry-level positions in:
- corrections
- courts (service/administration)
- criminal justice at the local, state or federal levels
- forensic science
- homeland security
- intelligence agencies
- private investigations.
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
An Associate of Science in Criminal Justice is also for students who wish to start their career right away or continue on toward a bachelor's degree. The Associate of Science degree usually has a heavier emphasis on math, science and/or technology than an Associate of Arts degree.
A criminal justice Associate of Science program includes the study of:
- computer applications
- constitutional law
- criminology
- criminal evidence
- criminal justice report writing
- criminal procedure
- policing
- principles of management.
Earning an Associate of Science in criminal justice qualifies you for entry-level positions such as:
- corrections officer
- security officer
- social worker.
Job Outlook
Criminal justice is a growing field and the job outlook is good. Many schools even have job fairs with recruiters from agencies on the local, state and federal levels.
Entry-level salaries for jobs requiring a criminal justice associates degree range from around $28,000 to $36,000 per year.