Best Online Associate’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
Program Options, Degree Requirements & Learning Outcomes
For those interested in working in a career where protecting the innocent and ensuring justice is paramount, an associate degree in criminal justice may be an ideal degree to pursue. With a criminal justice degree, students will learn how the criminal justice system operates and achieve an understanding of the principles concerning crime, the courts and correctional policy. Graduates will have an exciting range of careers available to them, ranging from police officer to court administrator. Read on to learn more about getting an online associate degree in criminal justice.
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Best Online Criminal Justice Associate Degrees
With so many online schools and programs to choose from, it can be difficult to know which schools are considered top choices for criminal justice programs. That’s why we have found the best academic options for students by analyzing factors such as class size, institutional financial aid opportunities, and acceptance rates at schools across the country. Explore our list of 2017’s top schools that offer online learning options for criminal justice students below.
Criminal justice specialists who want to improve their professional skills may enroll in the Associate of Applied Science in Corrections at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Options open to students are in corrections and police science. In addition to these two year programs, the school offers an option to earn a one-year certificate in corrections or police science. There is a basic skills and a math general education admissions requirement. First time students must also take the COMPASS exam. Sample classes include criminology, probation and parole, juvenile delinquency and justice, world terrorism, criminal procedure and criminal investigation. About 39 of the 64 credits needed to graduate are in the police science or corrections field.
Aspiring law enforcement professionals can earn a certificate or associate degree in the field at Chemeketa Community College to get started with their careers. Some associate programs are specifically designed to be transfer options for those who wish to earn a four-year degree. A Career Pathways roadmap is available on the school's website to help students determine which program is best suited for their career goals. Students attending online courses do so through CCC's eLearn online course management system, where they communicate with instructors and peers, access course materials and submit assignments.
College of the Ouachitas is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is administered through the Allied Health Science division. There's an option to complete the school's one year criminal justice certificate program then transfer into the associate program. Comprising the 60 to 61 credit associate program are more than 20 degree focused and general education courses. Prerequisites in police organization and management, sociology, reading and writing offer a rounded curriculum. Career counseling, academic advising and student support services are available to assist students with class scheduling and job searches.
About 75 percent of Tallahassee Community College graduates pursue advanced degrees at four-year schools in Florida. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Technology degree is one of the many degree programs offered at the school. Political science, psychology, law and sociology are the four fields that instructors cover during the criminal justice portion of the training. Program length is 60 credits and students can expect to learn topics such as an overview of the court system, justice administration, contemporary criminal justice issues, probation and parole and juvenile justice. If students want training that is more narrowly defined in law and corrections, they could earn a public safety certificate.
Aspiring law enforcement officers can earn a diploma, certificate or degree in criminal justice at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The programs are available completely online, along with programs in about 30 other web-based programs. Distance education students access their course materials and instructors online, providing the flexibility they need to complete their education. Special services are available for active military and veterans and a corporate and continuing education program is available for those looking to increase skills in their current field. The school has more than 200 programs of study with the support of counseling services, a student learning center and a variety of clubs and organizations.
A certificate or associate degree in criminal justice from Forsyth Tech teaches students about the judicial processes at the local, state and federal level, preparing graduates for a career in the field. It also includes a 16-week spring internship, giving students the hands-on experience they need to secure a job after graduation. This and many other programs are available online, with the flexibility to view lectures and communicate with instructors and peers at any time of the day. The college offers a total of 69 associate degrees, 29 of which are available completely online.
The criminal justice technology curriculum at Coastal Carolina Community College teaches students about criminal and constitutional law, ethics, criminology and the system's role within society. Students who choose to take online courses receive the same curriculum as on-campus students. While the courses are accessible entirely online, many exams are proctored, requiring students to visit campus or take the test at an approved testing facility. The Learning Resource Center provides online help, video tutorials and access to research databases for online students, helping to set them up for success.
Wayne Community College's small class sizes enable its criminal justice technology students to get the personalized attention they need to get on the right path to a career in the field. Students can earn the degree online, along with a degree in education, office administration, accounting and several other fields. WCC also has diploma and certificate programs available online. An online learner survival guide gives students tips on time management, motivation and study skills. Online study resources are also available, helping students to be successful in an unstructured environment.
Part of the Mississippi Virtual Community College, Holmes Community College offers a number of online and virtual courses and programs. Students attend class by accessing course materials via the Canvas online learning system. They can work at their convenience, watching lectures and submitting assignments at any time, so long as they meet instructor-set deadlines. In addition, the Community College Network offers interactive video courses that links HCC to other community colleges and two state universities to offer conference-style courses. A self-assessment helps students determine if they're a good candidate for online learning opportunities.
Fox Valley Technical College has six in-person locations and a number of flexible learning options for the non-traditional student. Its online courses and programs require a stronger commitment by the student to ensure they are on track and up-to-date on all requirements. Students pursuing a career in public safety can take some courses online, however hands-on training is typically required for those going into these fields. FVTC prepares its graduates for careers in the technical fields and offers more than 200 associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships. The school also has a career development resource to help new and future students help in determining their career path.
Find the Right Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice for You
There is a plethora of schools offering associate degrees in criminal justice, with many of the degrees offered online. With so many choices, it can be hard to figure out where to start a search for the right program. That’s where the following search tool comes in, allowing students to narrow down potential schools based on various characteristics, such as size, tuition and acceptance rate.
What to Expect During Your Criminal Justice Associate Degree Program
ADMISSION PROCESS
As is true with many other associate degree programs, the admissions process for criminal justice is fairly straightforward. The steps needed in order to start working towards an online associate’s degree in criminal justice generally consist of the following:
YEAR 1 MILESTONES
YEAR 2 MILESTONES
TRANSFER & GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
One of the major selling points of an associate degree is the option to apply the credits earned to a future bachelor’s degree program. Depending on the four-year college or university, incoming students with an associate degree can get their bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in two additional years. Students who want to eventually transfer to a criminal justice bachelor’s program should keep the following requirements in mind.
Career Paths for Online Associate in Criminal Justice Grads
An associate degree in criminal justice can open a lot of career doors. In fact, the associate is an ideal degree because it meets the educational requirements for many jobs in the field. For example, many criminal justice jobs, such as police officer, correctional officer or legal assistant, usually just require a high school diploma or a limited amount of post-secondary credits. This means students with an associate degree could be at an advantage when looking for post graduate employment. Some of those potential employment options are explored here.
BROWSE ASSOCIATE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAREERS
Police Officers
Police officers protect the general public and enforce criminal laws. They may also investigate crimes and gather evidence from a crime scene. Other duties of include testifying in court, executing search and arrest warrants, patrolling a given geographic area and responding to distress calls.
Job Growth (2014-2024) 4%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $60,270
Correctional Officers & Bailiffs
Correctional officers and bailiffs have the task of managing individuals who are under the custody of a court or correctional system. Correctional officers supervise individuals detained in jail or prison while bailiffs ensure the proper running of a courtroom, such as guarding judges and juries, enforcing courtroom rules and handling court documents.
Job Growth (2014-2024) 4%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $40,580
Paralegals & Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants provide administrative and legal support to lawyers and Judges. Some tasks include answering the telephone, drafting legal memos, correspondence and contracts, transcribing dictation, filing legal documents with the court, conducting legal research and reviewing client files.
Job Growth (2014-2024) 8%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015)$48,810
Private Detectives & Investigators
Private detectives and investigators search for various types of information on behalf of private clients. Often, the information sought is financial, criminal or very personal in nature. This information can be obtained by conducting surveillance of people or places, interviewing individuals, researching legal histories and collecting evidence.
Job Growth (2014-2024) 5%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $45,610
Fire Inspectors
A fire inspector examines buildings and plans to confirm they comply with applicable fire laws and regulations. In the course of a fire inspector’s duties, they can expect to review building plans, inspect buildings, provide fire safety education, test fire safety equipment and identify fire hazards.
Job Growth (2014-2024) 6%
Median Annual Salary (May 2015) $54,790
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Key Learning Objectives of an Online Associate in Criminal Justice
Associate in Criminal Justice
PHD in Criminal Justice
Master’s in Criminal Justice
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Additional Resources
The criminal justice field is broad, with a great deal of information to learn and understand. The following is a brief list of organizations that can help advance a prospective student’s criminal justice career.
The ACJA-LAE is an organization open to both criminal justice professionals and students studying to work in the criminal justice field. The ACJA-LAE has numerous resources available to students, such as scholarships, academic competitions and career information.
The ASC is an international organization with the broad task of increasing the practical and scholarly level of knowledge concerning crime, crime prevention and delinquency. Part of the ASC’s goals is to promote academic research in criminology.
The NCIRC is a hub of criminal justice resources designed to assist criminal justice professionals. The information contained at the NCIRC website can also be informative to criminal justice students by exposing them to key points in the criminal justice field.
Because the NCJA is intended to represent government entities found at multiple levels, the association addresses current issues in crime and prevention on a broad scale.
