Associate Degree
Criminal Justice
An affordable path to prepare for a career in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. This associate’s program transfers to a bachelor’s degree.
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Associates Degree in Criminal Justice
The criminal justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. The criminal justice program can also serve as building the groundwork for students pursuing training in other related areas such as social work. Students within the criminal justice program will not only learn the basic components of the criminal justice system, but will also apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing, and controlling a variety of criminal justice agencies associated with police, courts, and corrections. While actively learning about the criminal justice system, the program provides students with the courses needed to fulfill the requirements of the core curriculum and degree requirements for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Applied Science degrees in criminal justice. Our Criminal Justice program provides a holistic approach to educating students by not only providing students with well-rounded skills and knowledgebase, but also emphasizing character education and critical thinking.
Estimated Annual Cost: $7,785
Cost estimate based on enrollment in 45 annual quarter hours with current Tuition and Fees. Cost includes fees for textbooks and materials.
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What You Will Learn:
Students will be able to critically evaluate the various theories in criminal justice.
Students will be able to analyze aspects of the criminal justice system.
Students will be able to design a literature review in preparation of advanced learning.
Students will be able to debate contemporary issues as they relate to the criminal justice system.
Earn Credits From Law Enforcement/Correctional Officer Training:
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice – 5 Hours
CRJ 103 Criminal Procedures – 5 Hours
CRJ 204 Ethics in Criminal Justice – 5 Hours
WEL 154 – 3 Hours
Time Saved: 18 Hours
Money Saved: $3303
COM 201 Public Speaking – 5 Hours
Time Saved: 5 Hours
Money Saved: $917.50
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice – 5 Hours
CRJ 101 Correctional Institutions – 5 Hours
Time Saved: 10 Hours
Money Saved: $1835
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice – 5 Hours
CRJ 104 Juvenile Delinquency and Procedure – 5 Hours
Time Saved: 10 Hours
Money Saved: $1835
CRJ 101 Correctional Institutions – 5 Hours
Time Saved: 5 Hours
Money Saved: $917.50
Program Benefits:
This degree will help students gain the skills to compete effectively in the criminal justice profession. While for some entry-level positions, a degree is not required, given the job market, having an associate degree makes a qualified candidate more competitive. Moreover, this degree prepares students to transfer to four-year programs. Most associate degree graduates are competitive for entry-level positions in corrections, private and corporate security, and office support for law enforcement departments. Bachelor degree graduates may start in similar positions but will be prepared to later assume supervisory or management responsibilities. Students who are interested in graduate school or law school will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Program Costs:
One of our goals is to offer the highest quality college education at some of the most affordable tuition rates. To understand our tuition rates, please visit the Tuition and Fees Basics Page on our website. Keep in mind that total costs for the program will depend not only on tuition rates, but the number of quarter hours students must take in order to complete the degree. This will include courses both in the core and in the major.
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