Associate Degree in Criminal Justice

An Associate Degree in Criminal Justice provides students with a fundamental understanding of the criminal justice system at a local, state and federal level. This degree leads to a variety of fulfilling careers in the field of law enforcement and offers tremendous growth and salary potential. If you want to learn about an associate degree in criminal justice, including information on admission requirements, coursework and degree length, the following guide would be of great use to you.

Why Earn an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

Students who have good communication skills and want a career that allows them to help others, might find the field of criminal justice interesting. An associate degree in criminal justice is one of the quickest paths to enter this field, as it only takes 2 years to complete. Once you complete this degree, you can immediately start looking for entry-level jobs and gain valuable, hands-on experience in the field.

In addition to that, an associate degree in criminal justice can be used as the first step towards a four-year long program in law and criminalistics. Most students who want to move to more advanced careers choose to go for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, after they have completed their associate’s degree.

Career Options with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice

Students with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice can explore a vast variety of careers in the realm of law enforcement. Some common career options include:

  • Victim Advocacy: Victim Advocates offer emotional support and legal information to victims who do not have an understanding of the regulatory system in the US.
  • Police Officer: This career would allow you to help provide security to the general public by keeping criminals in check.
  • Security Officer: These professionals are responsible for making sure that properties such as hospitals, university campuses, offices and parks are safe from any kinds of illegal activity or security breaches.
  • Probation Officer: Probation Officers help criminals meet the court’s requirements relating to their early release.
  • Corrections Officer: Corrections Officers are employed in prisons to guard inmates according to the defined regulations and procedures.
  • Insurance Investigator: These professionals investigate frauds relating to insurance claims.
  • Cyber Security Investigator: Cyber Security Investigators are responsible for looking into computer crimes, such as hacking, ransomware and spearfishing.
  • Evidence Tech: Evidence technicians are responsible for the collection of evidence from a crime scene.

Please note that some of these careers would require additional educational or experience credentials. Students often enter these career paths, gain a few years of experience and then eventually opt for a higher educational degree, such as a Bachelors in Criminal Justice.

How Much Can I Earn With an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

The amount you earn after completing an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice would depend largely on the career path you choose. Let’s have a look at some of the career paths you can go for with a degree in criminal justice:

  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Detectives and Criminal Investigators made an annual mean income of $89,300 in May 2020. The top paying industry for this occupation was the Federal Executive Branch (BLS Category), with an annual mean wage of $111,880. The top paying state for this occupation was Alaska, with an annual mean wage of $126,340.
  • Fish and Game Wardens: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fish and Game Wardens made an annual mean income of $57,810 in May 2020. The top paying industry for this occupation was the State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Category), with an annual mean wage of $58,250. The top paying state for this occupation was California, with an annual mean wage of $88,150.
  • Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers: As per the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers made an annual mean income of $70,000 in May 2020. The top paying industry for this occupation was the State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (BLS Category), with an annual mean wage of $77,230. The top paying state for this occupation was California, with an annual mean wage of $107,440.
  • Transit and Railroad Police: According to updated information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Transit and Railroad Police made an annual mean income of $71,000 in May 2020. The top paying industry for this occupation was Rail Transportation, with an annual mean wage of $74,890. The top paying state for this occupation was Ohio, with an annual mean wage of $77,840.
  • Corrections Officer: Corrections Officers are employed in prisons to guard inmates according to the defined regulations and procedures.

Accreditation for an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Degree

When looking for a criminal justice degree, aspiring law students are strongly advised to choose an accredited program. The most important accreditation for a Criminal Justice Associate Degree program is from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). This body provides excellent opportunities and strong connections through its comprehensive network of law professionals.

How long does it take to complete an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

An associate degree in criminal justice would typically take 2 years to complete and approximately 60 credits would be required by most accredited universities. This would include both general education courses and core courses in criminal justice.

It must be noted that most universities also offer a part-time study option, which enables students to complete the degree at their own pace. This is specifically ideal for students who work full-time jobs along with their study plans. In such a case, the degree can end up taking more or less than 2 years to complete.

How Much Does an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Cost?

The cost of an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice depends on a series of factors, such as the mode of instruction (online or on-campus), number of credit hours, transfer policy and tuition rates of the program you are applying to.

The cost-per-credit can vary greatly – according to data from US News & World Report, the per-credit costs for a typical online criminal justice associate degree program varies between $75 and $560. With a 60 credit-hour degree, the overall tuition cost can go up to $33,600. However, it must be noted that the exact cost of this degree would vary according to each institute’s policies.

In addition to cost per credit, there are several programs that might cost less due to the mode of instruction. Generally speaking, online programs are slightly easier on the pocket than traditional on-campus programs. However, this may not be the case for all online programs. Students are advised to analyze the fee structure of their chosen program in detail before enrolling.

Coursework for an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Degree

The curriculum for an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice would involve both, general education courses as well as major-related coursework. Curriculum for most criminal justice degrees is designed to help develop skills such as communication, ability to research well, statistical analysis and cultural awareness.

A criminal justice program would expose you to a wide spectrum of concepts, practices and theories relating to the criminal justice system in the US. The idea would be to help create a strong foundation in the field of law and assist you in starting or advancing your career.

Typical coursework you will find in an associate degree in criminal justice would include topics such as crime and society, criminal procedures, deviant behavior, corrections administration, criminal justice ethics, police administration, criminology, juvenile justice, law enforcement in a multi-cultural community and so on. Students can also choose to take elective courses such as forensic science or security administration. It must be noted that the exact coursework for an associate degree in criminal justice would vary from institute to institute.

What Are Other Criminal Justice Degree Options?

After pursuing an associate degree in criminal justice, there are many advanced study options that students can consider. Let’s take a look at some of these options.

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

This is a traditional 4-year long bachelor’s degree that can be earned in both, online and on-campus formats. Most bachelor degree programs would require students to complete 120 credit hours along with getting hands-on experience in a legal facility. Students with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can expect to find work in law enforcement or criminology.

Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

A Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Criminal Justice is typically a 2-year long advanced study program. Similar degrees could include a Master’s of Legal Studies (MLS) or attending a law school.

Doctoral Degree in Criminal Justice

Depending on the area of law enforcement that you intend to focus on, there are numerous options for doctoral degrees available. For instance, aspiring lawmakers can go for a PhD in Criminal Justice or Criminology, or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Criminal Justice. A PhD degree in criminal justice will lead to careers in teaching or high-level research in criminalistics.

Certificate Programs in Criminal Justice

There are several graduate certificate programs available for students who want to increase their career prospects and earning potential. Students would have to complete coursework such as Criminal Justice Administration, Interpersonal Psychology in Criminal Justice, Theory and Philosophy in Criminal Justice and Criminal Justice Policy.

FAQ’S

  • What can I do with an Associate degree in Criminal Justice?

    An Associate degree in Criminal Justice can lead to a number of diversified career options. Some of the potential career paths with this degree can be becoming a police officer, insurance investigator, cyber security investigator, probation officer, corrections officer, youth detention counselor and victim advocacy expert. An associate in criminal justice is one of the fastest ways of getting into the field, as the program can be completed in 2 years and equips you with all the basic skills required to succeed at entry-level jobs. Please note that credits from this degree are also transferrable to a bachelor’s level program, should you decide to go for higher education in the future.

  • Is an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice worth it?

    Yes, getting an associate degree in criminal justice is completely worth it as it opens up a vast variety of career options. Potential career paths with this degree can include working as a police officer, corrections officer, probation officer, paralegal and security officer. In addition to that, an associate in criminal justice degree is one of the quickest ways of entering the field of law enforcement as it can be completed in just two years, with full time study. Numerous colleges are also offering this degree in an online format now, which allows students to complete the program at a pace that suits them best.

  • What is the difference between an Associates degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice?

    An Associate Degree in Criminal Justice is a 2-year long program that covers the basic elements of the complex field of law enforcement. These would include topics in communication, ethical thinking, and criminal law. On the other hand, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice is a 4-year long program that is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement concepts such as modern criminology, research and analysis and cultural competence. An associate degree in criminal justice leads to entry level jobs and costs substantially less than a bachelor’s program, while a bachelor’s degree would open up a variety of advanced career options and cost significantly more than an associate program.