What is a Criminal Justice Associate Degree?
A criminal justice associates degree provides students with the basic knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system on a local, state, and federal level. The degree focuses on the legal procedures of the system as well as criminology (understanding criminals). This will equip graduates with the proper credentials to be able to work in a number of areas of the criminal justice field such as law enforcement, corrections, and security. Depending on the institution, graduates will receive an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS). All degree types will provide learners with similar information and bases this off of the United States criminal justice systems.
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
| School | Tuition* | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Valley Technical College | $4840 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 2 | Utah Valley University | $4176 | No | Yes | N/A |
| 3 | Finger Lakes Community College | $1304 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 4 | Northern Wyoming Community College District | $10446 | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | University of Akron Main Campus | $15545 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 6 | Casper College | $27600 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 7 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College | $6590 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| 8 | Gwinnett Technical College | $6654 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 9 | County College of Morris | $4883 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Frederick Community College | $6720 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 11 | St Philip's College | $3402 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 12 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | $5088 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | $5654 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 14 | Lakeshore Technical College | $2568 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 15 | East Mississippi Community College | $4368 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 16 | College of Southern Maryland | $12594 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | Highland Community College | $9600 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | Ocean County College | $5790 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 19 | Central Wyoming College | $32572 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 20 | Hinds Community College | $3200 | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 21 | East Central Community College | $10440 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | Western Technical College | $1124 | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 23 | Kirkwood Community College | $1257 | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 24 | Iowa Lakes Community College | $4860 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 25 | Waukesha County Technical College | $4200 | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 26 | Lackawanna College | $1127 | No | Yes | N/A |
| 27 | Union County College | $15545 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | $17400 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | Nashua Community College | $7250 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 30 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | $4059 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 31 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | $5378 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 32 | Colorado Mesa University | $3624 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 33 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $5568 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 34 | Lewis-Clark State College | $19120 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 35 | Lincoln Land Community College | $4158 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 36 | Des Moines Area Community College | $4572 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 37 | Richland Community College | $5760 | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | Mohawk Valley Community College | $3330 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 39 | Northern Michigan University | $4175 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 40 | Genesee Community College | $3418 | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 41 | Pittsburgh Technical College | $16500 | Yes | Yes | N/A |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Why Should I Get a Criminal Justice Associate Degree?
Students who are interested in law enforcement or similar criminal justice fields should consider an associate degree in criminal justice. This is particularly desirable for those wanting to become a police officer, corrections officer, security guard, or something similar. It may also be of interest to those who wish to transfer to a four year degree program in a similar field, such as political science or criminal justice.
How to Choose a Criminal Justice Associate Program
There are a number of things to consider when searching for a criminal justice associate program. Students should consider their desired career outcome due to the fact that some criminal justice careers require more than an associate degree. Some institutions will offer a transition plan to smoothly transfer the student to a four year institution after completing the associate program.
Another thing to consider is online vs. on-campus programs and whether or not the program offers evening classes. Because hands-on experience is not a requirement of the program, it may be beneficial for the students' time management to consider these options without sacrificing a crucial part of the program. A final area to consider is cost of the program. While associates programs are often much less than a traditional four year degree, it should be noted that some institutions offer fixed tuition and some do not. Fixed tuition means that the cost of tuition will remain the same for the entirety of the degree, even if it takes longer than planned.
Application and Admissions for Criminal Justice Associate Degree Programs
The application and admissions process for criminal justice associate degree programs is fairly easy. It is required to have an acceptable high school diploma or GED equivalent, as well as be 16 years of age. You will want to check with your specific degree program to see if there are additional requirements, such as entrance exams, a personal essay or cover letter, or references.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Criminal Justice Associate Degree?
In order to earn an associate degree in criminal justice, it will typically take two years, or four semesters, of courses. This is considering the average course requirement is 60 credit hours, or 15 credits per semester. While internships are not a requirement of the degree, it is often suggested to have some experience in the field prior to receiving the associate degree.
How Much Does an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Cost?
An associate degree in criminal justice will generally be more cost effective and save students between $10,000-$15,000 in tuition overall. It costs between $150 and $400 per credit hour, with the average class earning 3 credits; therefore, each course will be between $450-$1,200. With an average 15 credit course schedule per semester, this will cost the student between $6,750 and $18,000. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) the average tuition cost for the traditional 4 year institution in the 2017-2018 academic year was $27,357, whereas the average 2 year program was $10,704.
Associate Degree Coursework
There are many key courses that will equip each learner with the basic information needed to earn a criminal justice degree. As well as the general education courses, such as math, science, and history, there is:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Justice System
- Law Enforcement & the Multicultural Community
- Criminology
- Juvenile Justice Courses
- Foundations of Criminal Law
There are also a number of elective courses:
- Forensic Science
- Introduction to Corrections
- Security Administration
How Much Can I Earn With an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?
Finding career info for a degree in criminal justice & law enforcement can be difficult. The most common careers for criminal justice degrees are correctional officer, bailiff, police officer, and detective. An associate degree in criminal justice offers a competitive wage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median wage as of May 2020 for correctional officers and jailers is $47,410, whereas police and detectives have an average annual wage of $67,290. Having an associate degree can help earn a wage higher than the average annual wage for jobs overall, which is $41,950.
Begin a Career as a Correctional Officer or Bailiff
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that people who are interested in becoming a correctional officer or bailiff should be detail oriented, and have good physical strength, decision making skills, interpersonal skills, negotiating skills, and self discipline. This career option requires a minimum of a high school diploma, but if a federal job is desired, a bachelor degree is required, including training at an academy.
Begin a Career as a Law Enforcement Officer or Detective
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that people who are interested in becoming a law enforcement officer or detective should be strong in communication skills, empathy, good judgment, leadership skills, perceptiveness, physical stamina, and physical strength. Candidates interested in this career route should also expect to attend a training academy. Depending on the desired job, it may be required to have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Accreditation for Criminal Justice Associate Degree Programs
The most important accreditation for Criminal Justice Associate Degree programs is the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). This is important because it provides outstanding leadership opportunities and connections through networking opportunities. There are also many opportunities for applications for special awards throughout the year.
What Are Other Criminal Justice Degree Options?
There are many different Adult Education Programs in Criminal Justice other than pursuing an associate degree. For example, you can receive a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in criminal justice. There are many other degree options as well detailed below.
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
In a traditional four-year university, either online or on-campus, schools will offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice. With 120 credit programs, the student will learn the necessary material to be prepared for a career in criminal justice, along with receiving hands-on experience. Similar to the associates degree holder, bachelor's degree students can expect a career in law enforcement or criminology, as well as the opportunity to further their education.
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice
After receiving a bachelor's degree students may also desire to further their education with a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) degree in Criminal Justice. Similar degree programs are the Master's in Legal Studies (MLS) or attending law school, if there is an interest in becoming a lawyer.
Doctoral Degrees in Criminal Justice
There are numerous options for doctoral degrees in criminal justice depending on the area of focus. One degree option is the PhD in Criminal Justice or Criminology. Another option is the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Criminal Justice. Whatever the degree program, this will prepare a student to be a university instructor or high-level research/analyst.
Certificate Programs in Criminal Justice
There are many options for Graduate Certificate Programs in Criminal Justice. A common certificate program to accompany the criminal justice programs is a communication certificate.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Associate Degrees
Depending on student eligibility, students seeking a criminal justice degree may qualify for federal student aid. The Federal Pell Grant offers students who have not yet received their bachelor's degree up to $6,495 annually. Students should check their eligibility by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The deadline for this application is June of the year the student intends to start their program.
