Criminal justice has become the most popular subject in the country for associate degree programs. This is due to the rising demand for law enforcement professionals--and more stringent educational requirements for those professionals. An associate degree in criminal justice can help you begin your career as a police officer, corrections officer, or private security guard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for police officers exceeds $47,000.
Associate Degrees: Fast and Flexible
Criminal justice associate degree programs, available throughout the country, can be completed on campus or online. If you prefer face-to-face interaction with other criminal justice students and professionals, enroll in on-campus classes. If you plan to maintain your current job, or otherwise would like to fit a program around your existing schedule, consider taking online courses. Associate degrees can be completed within two years. In a typical criminal justice program, courses might include:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Report Writing
- Juvenile Justice
- Security Management
