Maybe you’re thinking of a career in law enforcement; maybe you want to work in the court system; or maybe you see yourself working in the corrections system. There’s no single path to a criminal justice career, but every one of those paths shares a starting point: an associate degree in criminal justice.
With an AS in Criminal Justice, you’ll have what it takes to start building a future at every level of our criminal justice system: local, state, or federal. You’ll learn from distinguished professionals in law enforcement, criminology and sociology, social services, and more — and you can do it all on a flexible schedule that works with your busy life.
We know you have responsibilities: to your job, to your family, and to yourself. That’s why our School of Criminal and Social Justice has created an online criminal justice program. Using state-of-the-art learning technology, we go above and beyond to make sure every student has what they need to succeed, both inside and outside of the classroom.
You can see it in the street right outside your window. There’s always a need for smart, compassionate, capable people at every level of the criminal justice system, from police officers to probation officers, from corrections counselors to court managers, and from detectives to defense attorneys. You can be one of them — without ever having to leave your neighborhood.
When you earn your online criminal justice degree, you’ll learn about the history, theory, and best practices of criminal justice. You’ll also learn about the latest developments in the criminal justice field, from the very people who are applying them in the real world. You’ll see that majoring in criminal justice is about more than simple ideas of crime and punishment. It’s about exploring the root causes of crime, understanding ethics in criminal justice, and developing professional skills that will serve you well in any career.
Online Curriculum
We created an online criminal justice degree program because we believe that learning isn’t limited to the classroom. At our School of Criminal and Social Justice, your instructors aren’t limited to the classroom either. Our faculty is made up of established leaders in the field of criminal justice: both active and retired law enforcement personnel, criminologists, psychologists, lawyers, counselors, and more.
From these professionals, you’ll learn about:
Law and social science in the field of criminal justice
The latest reforms and trends in criminal justice professions
Innovative tools to effect positive change in the criminal justice system and the communities they serve
As an online criminal justice major, you’re out in the real world already, and so are your professors. They don’t simply talk about how the criminal justice system works. They’ve seen it for themselves.
The Hybrid Curriculum: Hands-on experience. Online Flexibility.
If you need the flexibility of an online criminal justice degree program but are looking for hands-on, in-person experience, Monroe also offers a hybrid program that combines the best elements of both.
As a hybrid criminal justice major, you’ll be able to apply what you learn in our state-of-the art Law Enforcement Training Simulator (LETS). Those interested in becoming police officers can also enroll in our Police Academy Scholars (PASS) Program, which prepares students for the police academy while they earn their AS degree.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?
At our School of Criminal and Social Justice, you can earn your online associate degree in just 4 semesters on campus. That means it’s possible to complete it in less than 2 years.
The Online Module: Start by Taking 2 Courses over 7½ Weeks
If the idea of online learning is new to you, we also offer the option of a shorter, 7½-week module. Take just 2 classes at a time to see how online learning works for you. And if you want to extend to a full 15-week semester, your module credits are fully applicable toward your degree.
In this class, students learn the fundamentals of ethical decision-making (especially in situations where the ethical answers may not always be clear). Learn how your personal and professional values connect with those in the field of criminal justice, and the responsibilities criminal justice professionals have to the communities they serve.
Applicants for the online criminal justice associate degree program must fulfill the following admissions requirements:
Candidates must possess either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
Candidates must submit a completed application for admission and a personal statement or essay.
Criminal justice candidates also participate in a pre-admission interview.
How Much Does It Cost to Earn an Online Criminal Justice Degree?
At Monroe University, we work hard to help every student secure the maximum possible financial aid package. That includes scholarships, grants, loans, and even potential work-study employment opportunities. Find out more about our affordable tuition and fees and manageable payment plans.
With an AS in Criminal Justice, Monroe graduates have gone to become professionals in a variety of rewarding, stable criminal justice jobs, including:
Police officers
State troopers
Corrections officers
Criminal court officers
Legal assistants
Detention facility coordinators
Security managers
Correctional counselors
Juvenile counselors
As the justice system evolves and grows, so do jobs for degrees in criminal justice — as well as opportunities for advancement throughout one’s career.
Online students can also take advantage of the numerous clubs and honor societies available to criminal justice majors:
Alpha Phi Sigma: The National Criminal Justice Honor Society, devoted to elevating scientific and ethical standards within the criminal justice professions.
PASS - The Police Academy Scholars Program. As you earn your criminal justice degree, you can simultaneously prepare for the police academy through a series of select courses.
The Law Society - Students looking ahead to a legal career can get started now, meeting mentors and gaining valuable field experience.
The Criminal Justice Club - Explore different criminal justice careers as you do work to benefit the communities around you.
The Civics & Debate Team - Gain a deeper understanding of landmark legal decisions with a group of peers devoted to critical analysis and debate.
Discover What You Can Achieve
In just 2 years, you can develop the skills you need to start building a meaningful, rewarding career in the criminal justice field. With the freedom and flexibility of online classes, as well as the individualized support of our dedicated support team, you can make it happen — and you can make a difference.
