Criminal Justice Associate's Degrees: Skills And Job Opportunities

Associate of Arts Degree
An associate of arts is a more traditional criminal justice degree that gives you a broader training not just in law enforcement, but in other liberal arts areas that will “fill out” your educational resume and make you a good candidate for a bachelors or even masters degree later on. It costs more than the applied science degree and it takes a minimum of two years if you attend school full time, but an associate of arts in criminal justice offers a bigger payoff down the road.

A full associates degree trains you in current techniques for solving crimes, how to navigate the American court system, criminology and all the online communication techniques now used in law enforcement. You will learn how to detect crime, interview suspects and victims, prepare good quality records and even how to deal with the public. Many of these programs include internships that will give you hands on experience in the police or legal arenas. The aim is to get you ready for a rewarding career where you can serve the public.
- Click to a list of schools offering associate's degrees in criminal justice online
- List of online homeland security degree schools

Happily, there tend to be fewer degrees to choose from at the associate of arts level. Top criminal justice specialties offered include:

• Corrections
• Juvenile Justice
• Forensic Physchology
• Law Enforcement
• Cyber Crime
• Crime Scene Investigation

Job Opps
The Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice will make it possible for you to get a higher level job as a police officer, bailiff, narcotics officer, secret service agent or customs agent. Private companies may hire you as a loss prevention expert or private security agent. Importantly, your degree will give you a background in understanding relationships between citizens, the police and the court system.

California Coast University With a rock-bottom cost of $150. per credit, a 126 total credit bachelor degree can be completed for less than just about any other school we can find. This 18-year old school offers 100% online courses to about 8,000 students from its headquarters in Santa Ana, CA. A number of cost reductions can be obtained through credit transfer, discounts or fee waivers. School offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master's Degree in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology
Get information on California Coast University Criminal Justice Degrees Online

Liberty University The world's largest evangelical university has programs the cost $295 per credit if you go to school "full time" by taking at least 11 credits per term. Law enforcement personnel can get credit for their time on the job, and military experience can also count toward credit.
- Associate of Arts, Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
Get information on Liberty University

Penn Foster College Penn Foster's criminal justice programs cost just $1,430.00 per semester. In addtition, textbooks and other costs are included. The school does not offer bachelors degrees in criminal justice, but it certainly provides value in its associate degrees. The school has been operating for well over 30 years and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council.
- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Get information on Penn Foster