Online Associate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

An associate degree is the first step towards an education in criminal justice and is a common path towards a career in some occupations, such as paralegals. If you want to start a criminal justice career sooner rather than later, consider pursuing an associate degree in criminal justice. Should you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future, you can transfer the credits you gained, provided you earned your degree at an accredited school. This type of program typically takes two years to complete for full-time students. It can take much longer for part-time students, depending on how much time they can contribute to their education.

Associate degree in criminal justice

An associate degree program will give you an overview of the criminal justice system and relevant occupations. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can focus your study on a single aspect of the field. Popular occupations in criminal justice include:

• Correctional officer
• Detective
• Paralegal
• Science technician

Criminal justice programs often incorporate coursework and concepts from other social sciences. Though coursework varies by school, there are some courses common to criminal justice programs:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Political science

Additional courses for related majors may include legal studies, paralegal studies, forensic science, and ethics.

Employment Outlook

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 individuals with a two-year criminal justice degree, including their mean annual wages, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Correctional officers primarily work within jails and prisons and oversee individuals who are waiting for trial or who have been convicted of a crime and have been sentenced to a correctional facility. May 2011, mean annual wage for correctional officers and jailers: $43,300.
• Bailiffs keep order in a court of law. Some of their responsibilities include assisting judges, guarding juries from outside interaction, and delivering court documents. May 2011, mean annual wage for bailiffs: $41,160.
• Gaming surveillance officers observe casino and casino hotels for irregular activities. They typically rely on video and in-person surveillance to perform their duties. May 2011, mean annual wage for gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators: $33,210.
• Paralegals help lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. May 2011, mean annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants: $49,960.

In addition to pursuing the careers above, many graduates with an online associate degree in criminal justice continue their education with bachelor’s degree programs. Some graduates eventually enroll in law school or other graduate degree programs.

Additional Resources for Law Enforcement Jobs

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Private Detectives and Investigators
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Correctional Officers
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Paralegals and Legal Assistants

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