Online Associate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

Take your first steps toward a rewarding career with one of the many criminal justice associate degree programs available online. An education at the associate degree level introduces you to key concepts in the field, as well as to a wide range of educational and career options.

Criminal justice associate degree programs

Associate degree coursework introduces you to the three Cs of criminal justice: cops, courts and corrections. "Cops" classes show students the ins and outs of police systems and procedures; "courts" classes discuss criminology and law; "corrections" instruction covers rehabilitation and incarceration practices. Once you've learned the basics, you can focus your study on a single aspect of the criminal justice field. Popular occupations in criminal justice include:

• Corporate security specialist
• Corrections officer
• Crime scene investigator
• Homeland security officer
• Legal professions

Criminal justice associate degree programs often incorporate coursework and concepts from other social sciences. Classes focused on corrections, for example, touch on key sociological subject areas, most notably social diversity, inequality and race. Criminal justice programs may also include detailed study of group dynamics (psychology), facilities management (public administration) and the growth of the penitentiary system (history). Other social science topics you may encounter in a criminal justice class include:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Law
• Political science
• Urban studies

In addition to society and culture, criminal justice programs give students the option to explore laboratory sciences. Forensics, for instance, involves collecting, processing and understanding scientific evidence to support police investigations and court cases.

Criminal justice and law enforcement careers for graduates

An associate degree in criminal justice can qualify graduates for entry-level careers in a range of fields. Take a look at just a few potential law enforcement jobs for trained criminal justice associate degree graduates:

Corrections and security officers perform security-focused duties in different surroundings. Correctional officers primarily work within jails and prisons, while security officers have a wider range of duty. May 2009, mean annual salary for correctional officers: $42,610.

Bailiffs keep order in a court of law. You'll maintain a close relationship with judges as you assist them, guard juries from outside interaction, deliver court documents and more. May 2009, mean annual salary for bailiffs: $40,240.

Court clerks perform clerical duties within the court and other government agencies. You might prepare dockets, answer correspondence and issue licenses, among other duties. May 2009, mean annual salary for court clerks: $35,570.

Gaming surveillance officers perform specific security duties for casinos and casino hotels. These specialized security officers typically rely on video and in-person surveillance to perform their duties. May 2009, mean annual salary for gaming surveillance officers: $32,460.

In addition to pursuing the careers above, many graduates with online associate degrees in criminal justice go on to a bachelor's degree program. Some graduates eventually take the next step and go on to law school and other graduate degree programs.

Explore criminal justice associate degrees

Whether you want to join the ranks of corrections and security officers or pursue a career in law enforcement, an associate degree in criminal justice gets you moving in the right direction. Learn more about criminal justice associate degrees and take your first step toward a career where you can make a real difference.

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