Top Online Criminal Justice Associate Degrees
Let us introduce you to the very best fully and partially online criminal justice associate degree programs available today. From admissions and accreditation to program length and cost, get the information and advice you need to find and succeed in your criminal justice associate program.
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Pursuing an associate degree in criminal justice is a great first step toward a rewarding career in law enforcement, corrections, or other public safety roles. With the flexibility of online education, students can balance their studies with work or personal commitments, making it easier to achieve their academic and career goals. In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed ranking of the best online associate programs in criminal justice, covering key aspects like accreditation, curriculum focus, and more. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to advance in the field, our FAQs will also address common questions to help you make informed decisions about your education.
A Breakdown of Online Associate of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Programs
The criminal justice associate degree is an excellent academic pathway for anyone looking to build a career in law enforcement. Taking around two years to complete, most associate degree programs consist of 60 credits, completed over four semesters.
In addition to taking courses in criminal procedure, constitutional law, and corrections, students can also receive a well-rounded education by taking general education courses, like public speaking, English, and history. Given that the curriculum is easily delivered in a classroom setting, criminal justice degrees are perfect for students seeking the flexibility of distance learning options.
Another concern for online students is the speed of completion. As a result, there are two primary types of online associate degree programs available for those interested in a criminal justice degree: standard and accelerated. Let’s dive into what you can expect from an online criminal justice associate degree program.
Standard Criminal Justice AS Program Online
Most online criminal justice associate degree programs will have a default timeline of two years for completion. Each year, a student will attend classes for two semesters and take approximately 15 credits per semester. During the semester, they will be able to progress through their coursework at their own pace, from a location and class start time of their choosing.
Standard online criminal justice associate degree programs are best for students who do not need to quickly enter the workforce and would like to have their summers free to work or engage in other, non-academic activities.
Accelerated Criminal Justice AS Program Online
For students wishing to finish their associate degree as quickly as possible, an accelerated program is something to consider. Instead of finishing in two years, students can earn their degree in as little as one year. The specifics of these programs will depend on the school, but it includes acceptance of transfer credits, such as is the case with Colorado Christian University. Other schools may allow students to speed up their learning by taking courses year round or taking a higher than usual course load. Other institutions, such as Purdue University Global, will provide academic credit for prior military or professional experience.
How are Online Associate Programs in Criminal Justice Accredited?
Accreditation ensures a program meets specific standards of academic quality. Therefore, before enrolling, prospective students should ensure their school of choice has been accredited at the regional or institutional level. Keep in mind that most online associate level criminal justice programs will not have accreditation beyond what a school may receive from a regional or institutional accrediting body. However, there is one organization that may come up as a potential accrediting body at the program level.
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Technically speaking, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) does not accredit criminal justice programs. Rather, it provides certification to programs that meet the ACJS’ quality standards. As of the time of this writing, no associate degree criminal justice programs have ACJS certification, though approximately 15 bachelor’s and master’s level programs do. The ACJS is no longer certifying any program “until further notice.”
ACJ Curriculum Overview
Each school will have its own unique curriculum, but there will be many similarities in the subjects covered. The following is a list of several courses found in a typical online associate degree program.
The Basics of Criminal Justice
Students will learn about the three components of the criminal justice system: corrections, the courts, and law enforcement. Students will also learn about the imperfections of the current criminal justice system and potential new policies and ideas to improve it.
Criminology
Students will learn the foundational concepts of criminal behavior. These include a review of criminal theory, causation, and the various types of crimes that society recognizes.
Courts
This class will provide an overview of the criminal court system. In addition to an explanation of due process and courtroom procedures, students will examine the differences between the traditional criminal court system and the juvenile court system.
Ethics in Criminal Justice
When theories behind crime and punishment are applied to the real world, they don’t always result in fair or moral results. This course examines these ethical dilemmas commonly faced by criminal justice professionals and different perspectives for solving them.
Policing
Students will learn about the theoretical basis for policing in society, as well as how it’s implemented and performed in real-world situations. Ethical considerations will also be reviewed.
Private Security
It’s not always public law enforcement officers that maintain public order and safety. This class will look deeper into the privatization of security duties for the protection of business and communities, including operational analysis.
Law Enforcement of Different Cultures
The United States is known as a melting pot of different cultures, languages, and religions. This course will take a look at various considerations when engaging in law enforcement services for minority communities and groups.
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigations
Students will learn the proper techniques and procedures when it comes to the investigative stage of the criminal justice process, as well as the constitutional and practical considerations behind these procedures.
What Core Concepts Will You Study?
An associate degree in criminal justice will provide a comprehensive overview of how a justice system works. It starts with generally accepted theories and principles, then moves on to law enforcement, crimes, evidence gathering, the legal court process, and forms of punishment. To help explain and facilitate this process, as well as reduce crime and improve safety, students can expect to learn the following core concepts.
Analyze data
Statistics is a major tool for preventing and fighting crime. Students will learn basic principles for statistical analysis and how to apply them to real-world scenarios such that community safety can be improved while criminal justice resources are reduced.
Predict patterns and criminal behavior
While human behavior is notoriously unpredictable, when examining a large enough group, patterns can emerge that allow criminal justice professionals to anticipate crime and prevent or reduce its negative effects.
Create criminal profiles
To better understand criminals and the crimes they commit, criminal justice students will grasp the theories behind creating a criminal profile. Profiling will help analyze the motives behind a specific individual’s actions and may even allow law enforcement officials to anticipate or predict future criminal behavior.
Establish agency protocols and procedures
To ensure the integrity and reliability of the criminal justice system, certain rules and procedures must be followed. A criminal justice degree will teach students how to follow these protocols to effectively and efficiently operate while still respecting the rights of the accused.
Online Criminal Justice Associates Degree: FAQs
Earning an associate degree in criminal justice online is convenient, but it’s hardly an easy task. It takes plenty of discipline, preparation, and hard work. To help you get the most out of your online degree in criminal justice, take a look at the following FAQs, which address a few of the more critical questions you might have.
Will I Get Accepted into an Online ACJ Program?
Admissions requirements can vary widely. Almost all programs require an application and transcripts, but to ensure you have the highest probability of acceptance, make sure you’re aware of the following points.
What’s the Timeline for an Online Associate in Criminal Justice?
When it comes to an associate degree in criminal justice, students should expect to spend about 2 years working on completing their degree. However, with more online degree options for criminal justice becoming available, it is possible that a student could complete their degree in as little as one year. Below is a look at how Truckee Meadows Community College breaks down their associate in criminal justice degree.
| Term | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | A humanities or diversity course Foreign language English Social Science Introduction to Administration of Justice | 16 |
| Spring 1 | Foreign Language English Composition Mathematics Two required criminal justice courses of the student’s choice | 16 |
| Fall 2 | Criminal justice elective One required criminal justice course of student’s choice Criminal Law and Procedure Foreign language Science | 15 |
| Spring 2 | Fine arts Science Foreign Language Criminal justice elective | 13 |
How Much Does an Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Cost?
Earning an online degree isn’t easy. It takes a significant amount of time, effort, and money. Of those three issues, the biggest hurdle might be the financial aspect. It’s vitally important to understand the costs, what financial aid might be available, and the payment expectations of the school before making a final decision on which program is right for you. Let’s take a look at what to expect in terms of tuition.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Texas College | 60 | $164 (in-district); $174 (out-of-district); $250 (out-of-state) | $9,840 (in-district); $10,440 (out-of-district); $15,000 (out-of-state) |
| Clarion University | 60 | $211 (resident); $422 (non-resident) | $12,660 (resident); $25,320 (non-resident) |
| Purdue University Global | 90 (quarter credits) | $371 (per quarter credit hour) | $33,390 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 60 | $330 | $19,800 |
| Liberty University | 60 | $390 | $23,400 |
