Criminal Justice Degrees

Types of Criminal Justice Degrees

Those seeking criminal justice degrees have three key options. Degrees can take between two and six years to acquire. Those holding more prestigious criminal justice degrees may find they earn a much more profitable income, but schooling costs for the more extensive are higher and more time must be devoted to the education of an individual. One can start with an associates degree and work upward over the years, so that is always an option when planning criminal justice degrees.

Two-year criminal justice degrees, also known as Associates Degrees, take the smallest amount of time. This doesn't mean the course load is lighter, however. Two-year criminal justice degrees require two years of English, and a year of composition, literature, math, philosophy, physical education, and sociology. The remaining courses required for two-year criminal justice degrees may include courtroom procedures, corrections, crime prevention, criminal justice introduction, ethics, first aid, forensics, investigations, the judicial system, juvenile justice, law basics, policing, research, social statistics, and victimology.

Four-year bachelor criminal justice degrees may require the same basic courses, but there are other in-depth courses that are also required. Public speaking, communications, and report writing are among those required for criminal justice degrees. Also courses in grief counseling, public relations, and rights of the victims may also be required. Studies of the parole and probation systems are included, as are courses in weapons handling, psychology, murder, white collar crime, fraud, domestic violence, sex crimes, forensic labs, and full internship in the junior and/or senior years.

Six-year criminal justice master degrees may require another thirty hours of classes in correctional administration, police management, and the criminal justice system. Students at the end of their sixth year must write a thesis in order to gain their degree. Students aiming for their masters degree must take advanced courses in criminal justice studies, criminology, statistics, human resources, and then complete two years of an internship while attending college.

Featured Criminal Justice School

The Brown Mackie College system of schools offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, and diploma and certificates in Criminal Justice.* The Criminal Justice programs at the Brown Mackie College schools provide a solid foundation for those who seek employment in criminal justice systems, including the field of corrections and the court systems.

The programs focus on the development of real-world knowledge of the criminal justice system and explore the social, legal and technological challenges of the field. Graduates will be prepared to pursue entry-level positions or to apply their understanding of criminology, the judicial process, corrections and criminal law to their current job.

* Not all credential levels are offered at each location. Program availability varies by location.

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