Alaska Criminal Justice Schools

Criminal justice schools in Alaska offer a variety of programs to cater to the different needs and preferences of students. Individuals can apply to programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral level, depending on their previous education credentials and future career goals.

If you want to learn about criminal justice schools in Alaska, including the coursework and admission requirements and potential career paths, the following quick guide might be helpful.

Criminal Justice Programs in Alaska

Students interested in the field of criminalistics and law enforcement can go for different degree levels. For instance, those who would like to enter the job market at the earliest should ideally go for a 2-year long associate degree in criminal justice. On the other hand, those who want to go for more advanced and higher-paying job opportunities should consider investing their time and effort in a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Admission Requirements for Criminal Justice Programs in Alaska

The admission requirements for a criminal justice program in Alaska would depend on the institute and program you are enrolling in. Typically, an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree would require a high school diploma and the completion of certain basic prerequisite courses. On the other hand, a master’s degree in criminal justice would require students to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, provide two letters of recommendation, have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 in previous undergraduate coursework and an updated resume. Please note that the admission requirements are subject to variations from institute to institute. Therefore, students are advised to get in touch with the admission boards of the institutes they intend to apply to.

Coursework in Criminal Justice Degrees in Alaska

The coursework in a criminal justice degree in Alaska would vary according to the level of education. However, students at all levels are expected to study courses that revolve around the courts, corrections and policing. Students will also be exposed to subjects that involve research methods in criminology, psychology of criminal behavior and criminological theory. Most degrees would cover the main areas of criminal justice, including police and society, the American court system, terrorism and victimology.

Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Degrees in Alaska

Once you complete a criminal justice program in Alaska, there are a variety of career options available. Students can go for careers as police officers, correctional officers, private investigators, crime scene investigators, crime prevention specialists, homicide detectives, drug enforcement administration agents and criminal profilers, among other options.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for protective service occupations was 8% from 2020 to 2030, which is almost as fast as the average for all occupations. The annual median wage for protective service occupations was $43,710 in May 2020, which is notably higher than the annual median wage for all occupations of $41,950.

Please note that the occupational category of protective service occupations includes police and detectives, private detectives and investigators and security guards, among other careers.

An Associate Degree in Criminal Justice would take 2 years to complete and prepares you to launch a career in the field of law enforcement. Typical courses students can expect to study as part of this degree include an overview of the American justice system, social science and criminal law. Students will also be exposed to current theories in criminology and emerging national and global trends. Career options with an associate degree in criminal justice would include becoming Victim Advocates, Police Officers, Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Evidence Technologists, Insurance Investigates or Cyber Security Investigators. After completing an associate degree in criminal justice, students can go on to earn a 4-year long Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

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