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If you are interested in making your corner of the world a safer place; if you are interested in creating conditions that prevent crime from happening in the first place; or if you are interested in the root causes of crime, then a career in criminal justice may be just what you are looking for. Upon graduation, with an Online Criminal Justice Associates Degree, students have a multitude of opportunities in the criminal justice field. The criminal justice system has three main components:
- Law enforcement
- The court system
- Corrections.
Each component has its own intricacies, and as a Criminal Justice major, you will learn how to navigate them all. You can’t deny the fact that it is important to prepare yourself for the working world with academic credentials. The key advantages of an Online Criminal Justice Associates Degree will include a higher starting salary, more rapid advancement, and more advanced skills, all of which provide an advantage in the job market. Your career goals will determine the amount of education that is required. To prepare for a job in the Criminal Justice field, you can acquire a certificate, an Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree or even a Doctorate. An Online Criminal Justice Associates Degree can take up to two years to complete. You will learn fundamental Criminal Justice skills and an introduction to liberal arts and the sciences. Associate’s Degree programs will provide the basic technical skills that can help you start your career in local or state law enforcement.
Best Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree
At the end of almost every episode of the classic TV show Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980), Steve McGarrett, (played by the veteran actor Jack Lord) turned to Detective Sergeant Danny Williams and said, “Book him Danno.” That phrase alone has motivated countless students to study for an Online Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree.
There has certainly been a recent interest in learning about the criminal justice system. This, in turn, has sparked the creation of innumerable college and university programs. We’ve researched many of these programs and created a list of the best colleges and universities for criminal justice. Our focus was on the institutions offering an Online Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree. And our methodology included elements such as tuition, program quality, graduation rates, program reputation and many other criteria. Find out more about our methodology. (Link to methodology pop up)
Here is our list of the best Online Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree programs: *
| Univ | Address |
| Ashland University | 401 College Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
Find Online Criminal Justice Associates
Degree Near Me
With so many institutions offering Online Criminal Justice Associates Degree programs, you no longer have to worry about finding a college or university near you. Now, the university comes to you by way of the Internet.
Once again, we have done most of the work for you by providing the list below. If you are searching for a local institution, just enter the location and we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our list below to find a criminal justice degree in your preferred geographic area.
(Link to local colleges based on KWs)
What to Expect from the Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree Program?
So, what can you do with a criminal justice associate’s degree? Criminal Justice is a huge field with dozens of career paths. There are careers in law enforcement or security; working within the court system; or social services and counseling. Whatever track you take you’ll learn about:
- Criminal law history, theory, and practice
- Methods in criminal investigation
- Criminal procedure and process
- Punishment and rehabilitation
- Criminal Justice ethical issues
- The relationship between the systems of criminal justice and the communities they serve.
Areas of Specialization for Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree Program
After your first introductory classes you may decide that an area of specialization is right for you. You may want to dig deeper into the areas that interest you the most Some online programs will let you earn your degree with a certificate concentrating in the following areas:
| Area of Specialization | Description |
|---|---|
| Paralegal | Assist attorneys during the litigation process, during depositions and document “discovery,” and through trial and post-trial issues. |
| Police Officer | Provide security and safety to the general public. |
| Corrections Officer | Work with inmates in a variety of prisons and jails. |
| Probation Officer | Help criminals meet the court’s requirements to obtain early release by |
| Security Officer | Patrol and secure corporate, university and hospital campuses. |
| Evidence Tech (also called Crime Scene Technicians) | Secure evidence at the scene of the crime. |
| Insurance Investigator | Investigate fraudulent insurance claims. |
| Youth Detention Counselor | Work with troubled youth caught up in the criminal justice system. |
| Victim Advocacy | Assist victims as they work through the confusion of the criminal justice system in search of restitution for wrongs done to them. |
| Cyber Security Investigator | Investigate computer crimes such as hacking. |
Why should I do an Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree?
Is an associate’s degree in criminal justice worth it? After you’ve earned your Associates Degree, you can immediately go to work in the Criminal Justice system, gain experience and earn a salary. An AA degree is, in itself, a valuable degree that can help launch your career.
With an Associates Degree under your belt, you can later opt to finish a BA program if you need that to advance to a new job or post. Don’t be surprised if your Associate’s Degree credits easily transfer towards it. Your years of experience plus a Bachelor’s will be a tremendous asset, and you can bring much experience to your final two years of education.
And one of the best features of most Online Associate Degree programs in Criminal Justice, is that you can start classes almost any time you like. Class notes are usually available online and lectures can be downloaded any time of day or night.
Free Courses for Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree
There are many free online criminal justice courses, but finding a completely free, legitimate degree is harder. However, a free online criminal justice certificate can definitely get you started in the right direction if you want to pursue a degree in that field.
The arrival of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and other free online courses has radically changed the way higher education courses are delivered, and criminal justice is no different. There is a myriad of free introductory and advanced courses in criminal justice. Online classes for criminal justice include history, policy, theory, and ethics and by starting to study these topics, the student will get a better understanding of what criminal justice is all about.
Here are three sources for free online courses in Criminal Justice:
Criminal Justice Degree Hub – TOP 25 FREE ONLINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MOOC COURSES FOR 2020
They list courses by Coursera, EdX, University of Leeds, University of York
Coursera – Hot Topics in Criminal Justice
An American MOOC provider. They offer free online courses, many of them led by top colleges or companies like Google. Learners can access all course materials and there’s a small fee for a certificate of completion.
“As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are?”
edX – The Psychology of Criminal Justice
An American (MOOC) provider created by Harvard and MIT. It hosts online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge.
“Learn how behavioral science can improve our criminal justice system.”
How to get into the Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree program?
Like most Associate Degree programs, an online associate in criminal justice also has admission requirements. To be admitted to an online criminal justice degree program, here are requirements:
- Students must have a GPA of at least 2.0 from their High School coursework
- Some colleges and universities require ACT or SAT scores
- Online application to the program
- Some institutions require supporting documentation such as a resume and recommendation letters
Every college and university will have different admission requirements, which is independent of the program the student is admitted to.
How long does it take to complete the Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree?
Generally, you must earn about 60 credits for an Associate’s Degree. Even if you are working during the day, this may take as little as nine months or as much time as you can devote to completing your studies.
Most students complete an associate’s degree within two years. However, if you already have an associate degree in another area, and want to become a criminal justice professional, you may not have to repeat required science or liberal arts classes.
Accelerated Programs for Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree
What is really nice, about most online programs using MOOCs, is that you can begin work on a criminal justice degree almost any time you like. There are online programs that begin on a continuous rolling basis, meaning that the courses are starting all the time. In fact, some schools start new classes every week (or even every day).
This sort of flexibility is what makes online education so appealing. You can start a new class just as you finish another making your downtime, between classes, minimal. You may even be able to begin working in the criminal justice field while you complete your degree.
Some institutions award credit for prior work experience, transferring credits and certifications that you have earned. Check with your college or university on their requirements.
Accreditation for Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree
Accreditation is the process where institutions of higher education are certified that they meet satisfactory levels of quality. For a criminal justice degree online, there are two types of accreditations available – National and Regional accreditations. It is important to note the differences as this information will be useful at the time of admission and also if there are any transfers happening.
Nationally accredited schools will generally accept credits from either a regionally or nationally accredited school:
- Regionally accredited schools may NOT accept transfer credit from a nationally accredited college or university.
- Graduate schools, that offer a Master’s or a PhD, tend to be regionally accredited and will usually take in qualified applicants who possess a degree from an institution with regional accreditation.
There are six regional accreditation agencies. Make sure that the university you select is accredited by one of them:
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), aka (NCACS) – is a regional accreditation body that covers the North Central states division.
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) – the New England States are covered by this regional accreditation agency.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) – the actual name of this regional accreditation agency is “The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools” (where the acronym “SACSCOC” comes from). This is for Southern states.
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) – California and Hawaii schools are covered by this accreditation agency.
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) – this regional accreditation institution includes the upper Western states, including Alaska.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) – is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. They accredit degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region. This includes New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several international locations.
Difference Between Criminal Justice
and Criminology
The differences between Criminology and Criminal Justice can be subtle. The career paths in both fields can sometimes overlap. For example, a detective can work both in the Criminal Justice system and as a Criminologist. Graduates of criminal justice programs will often pursue careers in law enforcement, while criminologists may get jobs as investigators and analysts within the criminal justice system.
To put it another way, Criminal Justice studies the operations of the law enforcement system. Criminology focuses on the sociological and psychological behaviors of criminals to determine why they commit crimes.
Career paths in criminal justice include:
- Police officers
- Correctional officers
- Wardens
- Detectives
Career paths in criminology include:
- Police officer
- Corporate security specialist
- DEA agent
- INS agent
- ATF agent
- Homeland Security agent
- CIA agent
- Victim advocate
- Researcher
How to Pay for an Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree?
The first thing you should do, once you’re accepted as a student or enrolled in a criminal justice program, is to apply for financial aid. For students studying towards a degree, that means filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Every year more than 15 million students are awarded about $150 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest student loans by the U.S. Department of Education. The types of financial aid are:
Federal Student Loans
When you fill out the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for federal student loans.
GI Bill
The GI Bill is a very popular benefit for veterans. In fact, along with serving your country, the GI Bill is one of the main reasons that many people go into the military.
Pell Grants
Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students, and you’ll automatically be considered for Pell Grants when you fill out the FAFSA. The amount of aid you receive depends on your financial need, the cost of tuition at your school, and other factors. Remember that this is money that you do not need to repay.
Private Student Loans
Once you’ve gotten all the grants and federal student loans you can, there may still be some additional costs associated with going to college. You can make up the difference with private student loans, and pay the money back after you graduate.
Student Loans
The federal government regulates the maximum interest that lenders can charge on federally guaranteed student loans, creating lower interest on college loans. Additionally, loan repayment does not begin until six months after graduation (or when enrollment in school is less than half time).
Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
When you fill out the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for federal student loans.
Private Loans
The GI Bill is a very popular benefit for veterans. In fact, along with serving your country, the GI Bill is one of the main reasons that many people go into the military.
PLUS Loans
Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students, and you’ll automatically be considered for Pell Grants when you fill out the FAFSA. The amount of aid you receive depends on your financial need, the cost of tuition at your school, and other factors. Remember that this is money that you do not need to repay.
College Scholarships
Once you’ve gotten all the grants and federal student loans you can, there may still be some additional costs associated with going to college. You can make up the difference with private student loans, and pay the money back after you graduate.
Grants for School
Once you’ve gotten all the grants and federal student loans you can, there may still be some additional costs associated with going to college. You can make up the difference with private student loans, and pay the money back after you graduate.
FAQs about Online Criminal Justice
Associates Degree Programs
How to get a Criminal Justice degree?
A career in Criminal Justice typically starts with obtaining an Associates Degree. The prerequisite for that is a high school diploma with a GPA of at least 2.0. Prospective police officers also need police academy training. Lawyers need seven years of education from an undergraduate program and law school, plus a passing score on their state’s bar exam.
What college has the best Criminal Justice program?
How much is Criminal Justice college?
What can an associate’s degree in criminal justice do?
Can you get a Criminal Justice degree online?
How long does it take to get a Criminal Justice degree?
Is Criminology and Criminal Justice the same?
Career Opportunities and Salaries after Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree
Once you have an associate’s degree in criminal justice, the careers you can pursue include Paralegal, Police Officer, Corrections Officer, Probation Officer, Security Officer, Evidence Tech (also called Crime Scene Technicians), Insurance Investigator, Youth Detention Counselor, Victim Advocacy, Cyber Security Investigator.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries do vary greatly depending on location, years of experience, and several other factors. Numerous paths are available in the field of criminal justice. Some common career possibilities include the following:
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Private Detectives & Investigators | $53,320 |
| Police & Sheriff’s Officers | $65,540 |
| Probation Officers | $55,690 |
| Corrections Officers | $47,440 |
Certifications and Licensing for Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree
The American Board of Criminalistics currently offers examinations in the following areas of certification:
| Biological Evidence Screening (ABC-BIO) | Comprehensive Criminalistics (ABC-CC) |
| Drug Analysis (ABC-DA) | Forensic DNA (ABC-DNA) |
| Molecular Biology (ABC-MB) | Fire Debris Analysis (ABC-FD) |
| Hair and Fiber (ABC-HF) | Paint and Polymer (ABC-PP) |
The steps that need to be followed, in the certification program, consist of:
- Applying for the initial certification
- Completing an appropriate certification examination
- Having certification conferred by a vote of the Board of Directors
- Demonstration of continued competency by submitting recertification paperwork for review and attaining the required points
- Paying the Annual Maintenance Fees and submitting signed Rules of Professional Conduct
- Confer recertification by vote of the Board of Directors.
Additional Resources for Online Criminal
Justice Associates Degree
Getting into and graduating from online criminal justice degree programs will certainly help students in establishing a career in the criminal justice field. But it is also essential for students to know about and be closely associated with organizations and associations in this industry. By networking with these organizations, students can benefit from up-to-date knowledge on current trends in criminal justice along with opening up career opportunities or career growth. Here are several resources for those interested in Criminal Justice careers:
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners.