From the courtroom to the police academy, an associate's degree in criminal justice can open many doors for the civic-minded individual looking to put away bad guys. If you'd like to serve your community but don't have the time or funds for a full-fledged bachelor's degree, this is an alternative that will have you hitting the pavement in an average of 20 months or less.
Overview
In general, a criminal justice degree is focused on upholding the law in all its forms. You'll be expected to understand things like personal and professional rights, how the court system works, and the process of putting someone behind bars. Exact courses and concentrations will vary depending on your personal interests and intended career path. For example, if you'd like to become a detective, you'll need courses in things like corrections, law enforcement, and abnormal psychology. If you'd just like a better understanding of your transcripts as a court reporter, you might be more interested in academic pursuits like constitutional law.
Education
Those majoring in criminal justice will enjoy interdisciplinary studies that focus on everything from crime prevention to critical thinking development. It isn't enough to simply know how to fill out a warrant; you'll also need to understand the root causes of criminal activity and the most effective ways to combat it.
Here are just a few of the things you might learn during your criminal justice education:
- Criminology, victimology, and sociology
- The realities of juvenile and adult incarceration
- The social, economic, and cultural influences that breed crime
- Drug addiction and strategies for its eradication
- A complete overview of the current U.S. legal system
- The role of the court in judging and sentencing prisoners
- Domestic terrorism and homeland security
- Immigration and border control management
Employment
Once you've graduated with an associate's degree in criminal justice, you can expect to find employment with a variety of entry-level positions in government, court administrations, and law enforcement. For example, you might become a:
- Police officer
- Probation officer
- Social worker
- Security guard
- Paralegal
- Victim advocate
- Legal secretary
- Court administrator
According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, criminal justice jobs are projected to grow seven percent by the year 2020. If you're interested in joining the ranks that keep our country safe, now is the time to take the plunge and earn your associate's degree in criminal justice.
