If you’re someone who has ever seriously considered a career as a detective, jailer, border agent, or another law-related career, you might want to think about earning your online criminal justice associate degree. Even at the associate’s level, many careers for law enforcement professionals, including ones in criminal law and forensics, may be open to you.
Protective services jobs are projected to grow steadily. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private detective and investigator jobs alone are projected to grow by 8% on average. There is a strong demand for people who are well-educated and experienced in all facets of this career field.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
The criminal justice field offers a variety of choices for law enforcement professionals when you are deciding on what to do with your online criminal justice degree. Once you graduate, you may find jobs state or federal agencies, or in private sectors.
Online Associates in Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Click on the degree field that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
Whether you want to work as a patrol officer or correctional officer or in private security, online associates degrees in criminal justice and related fields can help prepare you for entry-level positions in this field.
Criminal Justice
An associate’s in criminal justice degree can help prepare you for a career as a law enforcement officer, homicide detective, forensic science technician, security guard, corrections officer, parole officer, or criminal investigator, just to name a few options. If these jobs are of interest to you, a degree in this associate in criminal justice major might be a perfect fit.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
At the associate’s level, students take many general education courses as well as major classes. Common courses are Intro to Criminal Justice, Crime in America, Corrections, Criminal Justice Ethics, and Psychology.
Although this may look like a comprehensive list, these are only examples of some of the many classes you might be required to take for an associate in criminal justice. The main goal for most criminal justice programs is to educate law enforcement professionals in all aspects of crime, justice, and the law.
Homeland Security
A degree in homeland security is a type of criminal justice program, but it’s a little more specialized than a general degree. This specialization in criminal justice is a good major for people who want to work for the U.S. government at the local, state, or federal levels, although some graduates do go on to work for nonprofits or private companies.
This degree program can help you learn not only how to react to large-scale problems, such as security threats, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters, but also how to minimize the damage these types of events can cause in the event they can’t be avoided or stopped entirely.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Once you’ve completed your associate’s degree in this field, you can pursue a job as a security officer, border patrol agent, police officer, or corrections officer. Other potential options include transportation security officer, transportation inspector, customs agent, immigration service agent, or checkpoint security guard.
Criminal Justice Curriculum & Courses
We’ve already mentioned some of the courses you may be required to take in pursuit of your online criminal justice degree. Now we want to tell you a little more about what those courses may entail. The following is a sampling of some of the courses you may be required to take in your criminal justice associate degree program:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice: This is a basic overview of a criminal justice program and everything you might experience in it.
- Criminal Procedure and Process: This course goes in-depth into what the actual criminal investigation process looks like step-by-step, from discovering a crime to prosecuting the criminal in the court systems.
- Crime in America: This class covers crime statistics in America and how they’ve changed and evolved over the years.
- Introduction to Homeland Security: This is another broad overview course, this time in the field of homeland security. It covers what it is and why it’s important.
- Criminal Justice Ethics: This course discusses a law enforcer’s responsibilities and how not to overstep bounds.
- Introduction to Corrections: This course introduces future police and correctional officers to jails, prisons, and other rehabilitation systems in America.
- Introduction to Terrorism: This is an introduction to studies on domestic and global terrorism, the history of it in America, and how to plan for it in the future.
- Foundations of Psychology: Psychology plays a huge role in predicting and understanding criminal behavior. It’s often an essential class for a criminal justice program.
- Computer Networks and Security: Just as everything else has moved online, so has crime. This class talks about cyber security, identity theft, and other computer-related crimes.
- Constitutional Law: This course discusses the specifics of criminal law in the U.S. Constitution and the responsibilities of law enforcers in upholding it during criminal investigations and when working through the court systems.
Criminal Justice Concentrations & Specialties
There are several different specialties to choose from in a criminal justice program. We’ve listed five of the most popular here:
- Criminal Justice: Most general, non-specialized criminal justice degree programs are designed to give students a wide overview of the American criminal justice system that touches on all the different specialties. People hoping to become familiar with all aspects of criminal justice, including law enforcement and corrections, may gain a lot of insight from this degree.
- Law Enforcement: Law enforcement positions and criminal justice go hand-in-hand. A law enforcement degree program may be a good choice if you specifically want to become some type of law enforcement officer, such as a cop, homicide detective, corrections officer, public safety official, or probation officer.
- Crime Scene Investigation: If you’ve ever watched an episode of any of the seemingly endless versions of CSI on television, you likely have an idea of what crime scene investigation is. This degree may be perfect for incredibly detail-oriented people who love examining, searching for, cataloging, and discovering the relevance of evidence found at crime scenes.
- Homeland Security: If you’re interested in criminology and public safety on a larger, more global scale, homeland security may be perfect for you. These degree programs cover how to prevent and react to large-scale disasters, such as terrorist attacks, widespread pandemics, natural disasters, and domestic and global threats to America’s security.
- Corrections: Getting a specialized degree in corrections may make sense if you’re interested in dealing with criminals after they’ve committed their crimes and been convicted. This specialization focuses on the incarceration and potential rehabilitation of criminals in the event they’re eventually allowed back into the “real world.”
Despite your chosen specialization, you’ll probably take many of the same courses related to a criminal justice program.
Criminal Justice Careers & Salaries
There are many potential career opportunities for you to pursue if you earn your associate’s degree in this field or one of its related, specialized fields. Job prospects may improve even more if you continue on to your bachelor’s degree or higher.
Getting an associates degree in criminal justice often marks the beginning of a sustainable career for many people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are some careers in criminal justice fields along with their average annual salaries:
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,940 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $72,580 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $65,540 |
| Fire Inspectors | $62,120 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $58,040 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $53,320 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $52,920 |
Some employers may require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for some of these positions.
You can continue on with your education and pursue a bachelor’s or master’s in criminal justice online, which should make you eligible to pursue higher-paying security and public safety jobs that require more education than an associate degree.
Accreditation
Whichever program you ultimately choose, it is important to check its accreditation. Accreditation helps to ensure that the credits you earn actually have worth.
There are three types of accreditation—regional, national, and programmatic. Regional accreditation is typically considered the best, most all-encompassing type of accreditation. If you earn a degree from a regionally accredited school, your credits are more likely to transfer to other schools in the U.S., and employers are more likely to respect your degree.
There are six different agencies that provide schools with regional accreditation. They are:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC): It accredits schools in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU): It accredits schools’ on-campus and online programs in the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC): It accredits community, junior, and technical colleges in California and Hawaii, as well as a few other outlying territories.
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE): It accredits schools from the associate to doctoral levels in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and internationally as long as they have at least one liberal arts degree program available.
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC): It accredits colleges in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Basin.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE): It accredits colleges with on-campus and/or online programs in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as D.C., the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): It accredits colleges in the southern United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia and parts of Latin America.
National accreditation gives accreditation to schools but only within a specific region, and credits earned at a nationally accredited school can usually only be transferred to other nationally accredited schools. Programmatic accreditation doesn’t accredit schools. Instead, it accredits specific programs, such as computer programming or business.
Criminal Justice Professional Organizations
After earning your degree in criminal justice or a closely related field, you could potentially be eligible for membership in a number of professional organizations specifically for the criminal justice professions. Some possibilities include the following:
- Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Founded in 1963, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) provides many scholarly and professional criminal justice-related activities to both students and teachers.
- American Correctional Association: Founded in 1870 under a different name, the ACA is the oldest association for professionals in the correctional field. It seeks to improve America’s justice system.
- National Criminal Justice Association: This association operates out of D.C. and works with state, local, and tribal governments to control and prevent crime.
- National Association of Police Organizations: NAPO is a group of police officers, associations, and unions from all over the U.S. It seeks to advance American law enforcement through education, political action, and legislative advocacy for police departments.
- National Association of Legal Assistants: This is a non-profit group that seeks to educate and develop paralegals and other legal assistants. It has over 18,000 members.
- American Probation and Parole Association: This is a joint effort between the U.S. and Canada. It works on improving parole, probation, and community-based corrections facilities for youth and adult offenders.
Depending on your particular specialization in the criminal justice fields, you might consider joining one of these organizations for criminal justice professionals after earning your degree.
Financial Aid
At the associate’s level, you’ll have potential access to many different financial aid opportunities. The two that most associate in criminal justice students apply for first are scholarships and grants, particularly the federal financial aid Pell Grant awarded by the government.
To apply for the Pell Grant, you can fill out the FAFSA. If you fall within a certain income bracket and have no outstanding debts or defaults on loans from the federal government, you should be eligible for the federal financial aid Pell Grant, which doesn’t have to be repaid if used correctly.
After completing the FAFSA, you’ll also be notified of any federal government loans for which you’re eligible. The loans from the government usually have the best interest rates and repayment options, but they still ultimately have to be repaid, so it is important to make sure you only borrow as much as you need.
Scholarships are also awesome forms of financial aid because, like grants, they don’t usually have to be repaid as long as you don’t misuse them.
The first place to look for scholarships is on the website for your college or university, usually under the financial aid tab. Local organizations in your community and state may also have scholarships for which you can apply.
Finally, there are dedicated scholarship sites online, such as Fastweb. You may even find many good scholarships with just a simple Google search. It is important to watch out for scholarships that claim to “guarantee” you’ll get them, though. Also, if a scholarship application asks you to pay a fee or provide any sensitive information, it’s very likely a scam.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Online?
If you’re a full-time student taking classes both fall and spring semesters, don’t have to take any remedial classes, and don’t have to retake classes, it will likely take you about two years to earn a criminal justice degree online.
This time can be lengthened or shortened depending on how you take classes. If you take classes in the summer or take accelerated courses, you might finish faster. If you only take one or two classes a semester, it might take you longer. Criminal justice students usually need to earn about 60 credit hours to get an associate degree.
What Is an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice?
There are two types of associate degrees: the Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Justice and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
The AS is typically a transferable degree that can help you pursue higher levels of education.
The AAS is more like a certificate program designed to teach you the basics and help you pursue work in the field. It alone won’t give you what you need to continue on to higher degree levels.
How Much Is an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice?
Tuition and fees vary depending on the college you go to, whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student, and other factors. On average, though, an associate’s in criminal justice program usually costs between $9,000 and $16,000 at a public, in-state college.
How Much Does a Police Officer Make with an Associate’s Degree?
Police officers with associate’s degrees get paid very differently depending on the city and state police departments in which they work. The annual average salary for police officers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. is about $65,540.
Is an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Worth It?
The simple answer is yes, it is worth it for many professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, protective service occupations are set to grow at 3% over the next 10 years, as fast as the average for all occupations.
If you are looking to advance your education and career, earning an associates degree may be a valuable decision.
What makes an associates degree in criminal justice worth it for many is the number of new career opportunities that it can help open up. This degree can help prepare you for careers in the protective service sector. Common careers in this field include police officers, probation officers, corrections officers, security officers, and paralegals.
What Is an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Salary?
After you’ve received your associate’s degree, your salary can vary widely. It will depend somewhat on the state in which you’re working. What you intend to do with your degree once you have it will be a large factor in how much you make.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salaries for criminal justice degree holders start as low as $31,080 for security guards and can potentially reach as high as $92,080 for those that work as detectives for the federal agencies. Generally, though, with an associate’s degree, jobs in the this field pay between $40,000 to $50,000 a year (Center on Education and the Workforce).
What Jobs Can I Get with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice?
Depending on your particular specialization, there are several different related jobs you could potentially get with this degree. You might work in law enforcement positions as a patrol officer, corrections officer, jailer, or detective.
You could also potentially work with criminal justice professionals on the forensics side of things as a crime scene investigator or forensic science technician. If your specialization is in homeland security, even more jobs may be open to you, including border patrol agent, customs agent, and emergency response specialist.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
There are also plenty of jobs in security that this degree may qualify you for.
Universities Offering Online Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Offering a variety of associate degrees in arts, science, and applied science, Amarillo College is a public community college that enrolls more than 10,000 students annually.
Serving students over six campuses and through its distance learning platform, AC students have access to various education majors, minors, and vocational certificate programs.
- AAS in Criminal Justice
- AS in Criminal Justice
Amarillo College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Bismarck State College opened in 1939 to provide workforce education to the local community. Throughout the years, Bismarck State College has grown into a leading center for higher academics that offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in various fields. Technical certifications are also available for students who need career advancement.
- AA in Criminal Justice
Bismarck State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Established in 1964, Bucks County Community College sets the standard for public higher education. Many students seeking associate degrees or career certificates turn to Bucks County Community College to get high-quality educational services. Many programs offered at BCCC can be completed as online students through virtual learning or on-campus classes.
- AA in Criminal Justice
Bucks County Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded in 1887, Campbell University helps students in and around North Carolina obtain higher education. This private college has an array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in many academic fields.
Each program blends Christian philosophies with a rigorous core curriculum. Criminal Justice, Education, and Business are some of the programs offered at CU.
- AA in Criminal Justice
Campbell University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Initially opened as a women’s college, Columbia College began in 1854. Today, Columbia College serves thousands of men and women who are seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees. Offering a plethora of academic majors based on a religious foundation, CC has dynamic educational programs that are designed with the goal to help everyone succeed.
- AS in Criminal Justice Administration
Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Opened in 1971, Excelsior College is a leader in alternative education. Letting learners study at their own pace through distance learning opportunities, EC strives to bring higher education to anyone needing professional advancement.
With over 40 programs to choose from, Excelsior College offers a multitude of undergraduate and graduate degree options.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Excelsior College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Fisher College, located in Boston, MA, was established in 1903. Today, the school serves students throughout the state using satellite campuses and distance learning platforms.
This private school allows individuals to work towards associate, undergraduate, and master’s degrees. Popular programs at Fisher College include Health Care, Education, and Criminal Justice.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Fisher College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Offering a variety of research-based job training opportunities, Florida Tech allows students to work closely with global leaders in their fields of study while working to earn their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Students at Florida Tech have access to a dynamic private education at an affordable tuition rate.
- AA in Criminal Justice
Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Opened to the public in 1928, Hutchinson Community College now serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students annually. HCC offers over seventy academic majors that allow students to work towards an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science. Many students go on to transfer their associate degree from HCC to a bachelor’s program.
Most programs at HCC can be accessed as online students as well as in person.
- AA in Criminal Justice Administration
Hutchinson Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1920, Indiana Wesleyan University provides students worldwide opportunities to achieve professional and educational advancement.
IWU offers over 100 academic options that lead to undergraduate or graduate degrees. Academic counselors are available to assist students during their trek. Popular programs at IWU include Criminal Justice, Healthcare, and Education.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Located near the beautiful Florida shores, Kaiser University first began in 1977. Since its beginning, this private educational facility has worked to surpass the boundaries of traditional instruction and has expanded across the globe.
KU offers an array of program options that lead to associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees that can be accessed through virtual and classroom settings
- AA in Criminal Justice
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Opened as a public school in 1964, Lanier Technical College works to prepare students for career advancement.
Through multiple campuses throughout the state of Georgia and their distance learning platform, Lanier Technical College awards associate degrees and technical certificates in a variety of academic fields. Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Business are just a few of the popular programs at LTC.
Lanier Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Opened in 1771, Liberty University is one of the most long-standing private schools in the US. Liberty University is a Christian academic facility that accepts students of all denominations. With hundreds of academic majors and minors, Liberty University strives to help students attain undergraduate and graduate degrees at all levels of education. Liberty’s alumni come from nations worldwide.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Opened in 1964, Montgomery County Community College is part of the public school system in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Students at MCCC can attain vocational certifications and associate degrees in art, science, and applied science.
Many programs offered at MCCC are accessible through its distance learning platform. Some of the program options at MCCC include Business, Education, and Criminal Justice.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Montgomery County Community College is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Northeast Community College opened its doors in the 1920s and has expanded vastly throughout the years. As a public school option for individuals seeking associate degrees or vocational training, NCC strives to provide the best options for today’s industry standards.
Students around the nation turn to Northeast Community College for online and traditional campus opportunities.
- AA in Criminal Justice – Corrections
- AA in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement
Northeast Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ocean County College has had a history of providing effective learning options for students of all ages since its beginning in 1964.
OCC serves the community by providing an array of public education options, including vocational training and associate degree programs. They encourage all students to become involved in community service projects. OCC also has a variety of programs for kids.
- AS in Criminal Justice
OCC is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Odessa College has been providing public education since 1946. Today, they offer a variety of bachelor’s degree programs associated with the top competitive work industries. They also deliver high-quality vocational and technical certification and training.
Through virtual classes, hybrid courses, and traditional learning options, Odessa College works to meet all learners’ needs.
- AAS in Criminal Justice Leadership
Odessa College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1965, Peirce College provides pathways to associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees in a multitude of academic majors. This private learning facility provides online students courses designed to allow them to gain their degrees quicker and more flexibly.
Some of the many programs offered at PC include Business, Technology, and Criminal Justice.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Saint Leo University is a Catholic private school that began in 1889. They offer a variety of majors and minors that can lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees. They encourages all students to become involved in community service programs while attending.
SLU strives to help students become critical thinkers in today’s society.
- AA in Criminal Justice
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
In 1964, Shoreline Community College began providing a means to public education to community members. Over the years, the school has expanded its program options to include more than 100 majors and minors to better meet today’s students’ needs.
An array of associate degrees and technical certifications can be obtained at Shoreline Community College.
- AA in Criminal Justice
- AAAS in Criminal Justice
Shoreline Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Since its beginnings in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University has become well known throughout the world. They have hundreds of academic majors to choose from and provide hands-on learning for innovative thinkers and confident faculty members to assist with individual needs.
Students at SNHU can earn associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees either online or in-person.
- AS in Criminal Justice
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc.
St. Petersburg College has been giving students a public educational option since 1927. Students from around the world turn to St. Petersburg College to attain associate or bachelor’s degrees in many different subject areas. With face-to-face classes and virtual learning platforms, SPC allows for flexibility and adaptability in most programs offered.
- AS in Criminal Justice
St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Located in the heart of NC’s Piedmont, Surry Community College is a public technical school that has been serving the community since 1964. They strive to provide quality academic services to give students a way to earn associate degrees and vocational certifications. Popular programs include Nursing, Automotive Technology, and Criminal Justice.
- AAS in Criminal Justice Technology
Surry Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges.
Thomas Edison State University has been changing the way that public education is offered since 1962. Believing that students learn better from doing, TESU allows qualifying work experience and military training to be turned into credits towards one of their many undergraduate or graduate degrees.
Many students at TESU earn credits with self-study options and comprehensive exams.
- AAS in Criminal Justice
Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Opened in 1973 as a public community college, Trident Technical College helps students obtain associate degrees or workforce development. Students acquiring associate degrees at TTC can often transfer their credits into bachelor’s degree programs. Popular programs at TTC include Criminal Justice, Healthcare, and Education.
- AAS in Criminal Justice
Trident Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Online
If you have an interest in the American criminal justice system, corrections, or homeland security, but don’t want to invest a lot of time and money into a bachelor’s degree, an online associate degree in criminal justice program may be the happy medium you’ve been searching for.
With an associate’s degree in criminal justice program, you may pursue many different criminal justice careers, some of which are often very lucrative. With an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, you may also go back to school later for a higher-level degree if you choose to do so.
Applying to college doesn’t have to mean committing to four years of commuting anymore. Today, you can find the right criminal justice degree online associate’s degree program for you without having to leave your house and potentially earn the degree the same way. Why wait? You can research online criminal justice degree programs to enroll in today.
