Associates Degree in Criminal Justice

The objective of an Associate in criminal justice degree is to educate students regarding the laws that govern crime. Aspiring candidates can enroll in an associate in criminal justice degree after the successful completion of a high school diploma. Students that are interested in pursuing justice at any police department or any other relevant law enforcement agency might consider pursuing a degree in criminal justice.





Program Structure and Coursework

The Associate in criminal justice degree prepares students for a strong career in the law enforcement sector. Students interested in pursuing criminal justice degrees can easily enroll in any community colleges and junior colleges across the country. The Associate in criminal justice degree will require the students to develop an understanding about justice, crime and investigative methods and techniques.

An associate in criminal justice program educates students regarding the different laws and crimes related to individuals, societies, communities and even the state. While enrolled in the associate in criminal justice program, students learn about subjects such as:

Careers in Criminal Justice

Students that successfully graduate with an associate in criminal justice degree can find employment with law enforcement agencies. These agencies look for fresh graduates that have a basic understanding of the law. The salary of graduate of an associate of criminal justice program will vary according to the particular job role that he or she is engaged in.For instance, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), postsecondary teachers of criminal justice and law enforcement had a median wage of $58,040 as of May 2012, with the top ten percent earning more than $98,510 per year. on the other hand, O*Net states that special agents and criminal investigators had a median annual income of $74,300.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

Many institutes, such as the Southern New Hampshire University, Excelsior College and Rasmussen College, are offering an Associate of Science (AS) in Criminal Justice, which can be completed within 18 to 24 months. The coursework prepares students to land entry level jobs in victim advocacy, policing, law, dispute resolution, court administration, inmate rehabilitation, corrections and fraud detection. This degree enables students to transfer to a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership.

What Are the Requirements to Complete an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

Students enrolled in the Associate of Science (AS) in Criminal Justice are required to complete around 60 credits. They have to study a range of specialized modules such as International Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice System, Criminal Law, Introduction to Corrections, Criminal Procedure and Evidence, Policing, and Research Methods for Criminal Justice. Upon degree completion, students will be able to display critical thinking skills, which will help them make effective decisions under high-pressure situations.

How Much Can I Make after Completing an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

After completing the degree, individuals can land jobs as Bailiffs and Correctional Officers. Data shows that the yearly median wage of these law enforcement professionals was $44,400 and their hourly median wage was $21.35 in May 2018. In the same year, there were around 453,900 professionals employed in this field. These figures have been gathered from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Are there any schools I can finish an Associates degree in Criminal Justice in less than 2 years?

A:Associate degree in Criminal Justice program can be joined after the successful completion of high school. This degree program is of two years, and currently there aren't any schools offering it in less than this time period. If you wish to complete Criminal Justice program in less than two years, you can opt for certification too.

Q:What courses will I be required to attempt when completing an Associate in Criminal Justice?

A:Students completing an Associate in Criminal Justice will be required to attempt a number of courses. Some of the courses included are Theory & Practice of Law Enforcement, Theory & Practice of Corrections, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigation, Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice and Judicial Process. There are a number of opportunities available for students in both federally administered and private organizations.

Q:How long will it take me to complete an associates in criminal justice program?

A:An associate degree in criminal justice is a basic pre-bachelor degree program. It aims at providing students with a basic understanding of criminal justice. The program takes around two years to complete and is offered by a number of accredited criminal justice schools. Students can also opt for this program online.

Q:What are the advantages of enrolling in an online criminal justice associate degree?

A:There are several advantages of enrolling in an online degree as it allows the students the luxury to study from the comfort of their home and not be bothered about having to go to campus. Also there are no geographical constraints associated with online education as you can enroll from anywhere in the country.

Q:If I enroll in an associate degree criminal justice program, what subjects will I have to study?

A:An associate's degree in criminal justice is a basic program that emphasizes on fundamental concepts in this field. Some f the major areas of study will include research methods in criminal justice, ethical issues in criminal justice, criminal justice system, criminal procedures and process, criminal investigation, police and the community, and rehabilitation in America.

Q:What degree can I pursue after completing an associate degree in criminal justice degree?

A:You can pursue a range of degree programs at bachelor level after you complete an associate degree. If you have earned an associate degree in the field of criminal justice, you can look forward to enrolling in a criminal justice bachelor program. This is not necessary however; the area of specialization you choose at bachelor level will depend upon your career interests. Business administration, finance, and law are some of the other areas of study you can consider.

Q:Can you tell me about associate degree in criminal justice jobs?

A:Although people who have a four year bachelor degree have greater job opportunities, those with an associate degree can get good jobs too. Some of the available options include: Deputy Sheriff, Computer Forensics Investigator, Paralegal and Fingerprint Specialist. The salary that you will get will depend on which profession you choose and other factors like years of experience and personal skills.

Q:What will I learn in an associates criminal justice degree?

A:An associates in criminal justice is a two year undergraduate program that will help you the basic concepts of this field. You will undergo a thorough study of major subjects such as law and justice, criminal profiling, crime control, and cultural impacts. This program can also be earned online through accredited distant learning schools.

Q:Tell me about criminal justice associate degree online?

A:The Associate in criminal justice degree will help you break into the exciting field of law enforcement. You can pursue this degree from any community college or junior college on-campus as well as online. The course structure revolves around teaching students about justice, crime and investigative methods and techniques. Some of the basic subjects making up the core of the course are: Forensic science, Criminal law, Crime, Corrections and Juvenile criminal justice to name a few.

Q:What is an associates degree criminal justice online designed for?

A:An associate degree in criminal justice is an undergraduate degree. It is designed to provide individuals with a basic understanding of the field. The program typically covers areas such as law enforcement, judicial law, investigations, social issues, and more. The program will qualify a person for entry level careers in the industry.

Q:Do criminal justice associate programs lead to entry-level jobs?

A:Yes, with an associate-level degree in criminal justice, you can pursue entry-level careers in the field. You can seek jobs as assistants in different law enforcement agencies or criminal courts. In some states, an associate level qualification can help you qualify for a career as a police officer or even a probations officer. Browse through our page for more information.

Q:Can you tell me about the Associates Degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in digital forensics?

A:The associate's degree in criminal justice is an undergraduate foundation degree which offers many core courses as well as specializations. You need to have a minimum high school diploma or GED in order to enroll. The specialization in digital forensics actually provides instruction on investigative forensics and advanced computer investigation and analysis. Some focused courses are email crime, router forensics and corporate espionage.

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