Associate of Criminal Justice: Degree Overview
A criminal justice associate's degree program is an ideal choice for an individual who's always wanted to work as a police officer or detective. The criminal justice program explores topics in criminal law, juvenile justice and communication.
Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice
Students can find 2-year programs in criminal justice as an Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science. Associate's degree programs in criminal justice are available at community colleges and technical schools. Students obtain the skills and training to work as law enforcement officers, security officers, corrections officers or related justice professionals.
Participants gain knowledge of the American legal system, correctional systems practices, law enforcement tactics and current social issues plaguing our country. Elective courses allow students to concentrate their programs in areas such as corrections, law enforcement, criminal courts and juvenile justice. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission.
Course Topics
In addition to courses in the classroom, students may participate in cooperative education or internships. The coop education allows students to put theory into practice in the real world, often in a specialized area of criminal justice. Some topics of study may include:
- Criminology
- Corrections
- Juvenile justice
- Legal aspects of law enforcement
- Police systems and practices
- Criminal investigations
Popular Career Options
Graduates have the theoretical knowledge of criminology and investigative skills to qualify for career opportunities within private security, computer forensics and law enforcement. Popular career titles include:
- Police officer
- Clerk
- Detective
- Bailiff
- Sheriff
Continuing Education Information
Graduates may pursue immediate employment or may choose to further their education. Aspiring police officers are usually required to complete additional training, usually at academies, prior to starting work. Individuals interested in working as probation officers or correctional specialists may pursue bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requires that their agents have at least a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov).
Police officers often earn advancements and promotions with experience and continued training. They usually complete annual training to brush up on specific law enforcement skills, such as firearms use, self-defense and advancements in law enforcement equipment.
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14 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (2 campuses)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (9)
- Georgia (8)
- Kentucky (3)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maryland (5)
- Mississippi (1)
- North Carolina (5)
- New Jersey (4)
- Pennsylvania (7)
- South Carolina (3)
- Tennessee (3)
- Texas (8)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (11)
- Wisconsin (1)
- West Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be 22 years of age or have active military status
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Associate
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- AA in Criminal Justice
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-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Georgia (1 campus)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Associate
-
- ABA in Criminal Justice
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Associate
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- AA in Criminal Justice
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- AA in Homeland Security
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-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (1 campus)
- California (5)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Associate
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- Associate of Science of Criminal Justice
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Associate
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- AS in Criminal Justice
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