15 Best Criminal Justice Online Associates Degree

Best Criminal Justice Online Associates Degree: Earning an online associate’s degree in criminal justice can be an excellent way to launch your career in the criminal justice field. Given the flexibility and convenience of online learning, you can study on your own schedule while still gaining the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

This article highlights the 15 best online associate’s degree programs in criminal justice. For each school, we provide an overview of the program, courses offered, and highlights that make it one of the top choices for an online criminal justice degree.InformationGuideNigeria

Whether you aspire to become a police officer, work in the court system, or secure a position in corrections or private security, an associate’s degree is a great starting point. Read on to discover the best online criminal justice associate’s degree programs and find the one that aligns with your goals.

Best Criminal Justice Online Associate Degree

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers an associate of arts degree in criminal justice and criminology completely online through ASU Online. In addition, students complete 60 credits of coursework, which can be transferred to continue a bachelor’s degree at ASU or elsewhere.

Core courses focus on the criminal justice system, theories of crime causation, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students also take general education courses in composition, math, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

Highlights:

• Ranked #1 online associate’s program by U.S. News & World Report
• Transfer agreements with 100+ universities
• 8-week course format

Read Also: Steps to Earn Criminal Justice Degree Online

2. Utah Valley University

At Utah Valley University, students can earn an online associate of science in criminal justice studies. The program comprises 63 credits, including criminal justice courses and general education.

Specifically, program courses explore concepts of law enforcement, criminal law, juvenile delinquency, corrections, forensics, ethics, report writing, and research methods. General education focuses on areas such as math, health, science, humanities, and English.

Highlights:

• Emphasis on communication skills for criminal justice professionals
• Prepares students for bachelor’s programs or entry-level positions
• Faculty with professional experience in policing, courts, etc.

3. Clemson University

Clemson University’s online associate of arts degree in criminal justice provides a solid introduction to the field’s foundations. Students complete 60 credits of coursework.

Major-related courses introduce criminal law, procedures, criminology theory, law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and investigative forensics. Students also take general education courses in writing, statistics, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.15 Best Criminal Justice Online Associates Degree

Highlights:

• Ranked #3 associate’s program by BestColleges.com
• Opportunities to interact with faculty and peers
• Prepares students for a bachelor’s degree or career

4. Valencia College

The online associate in science in criminal justice technology degree at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida provides training for entry-level positions in law enforcement and corrections.

Specifically, over 61 credits, students take courses in policing, security, courts, corrections, criminal law and procedure, juvenile justice, forensics, and criminology theory. Additionally, general education focuses on communication, math, social sciences, humanities, and sciences.

Highlights:

• State-of-the-art public safety complex for hands-on training
• Small class sizes
• Seamless transfer to bachelor’s programs in Florida

5. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University offers an associate of science in criminal justice and criminology completely online through the OSU Institute of Technology. The 63-credit program provides a broad foundation in the field’s principles and theories.

Core courses explore criminal law, procedures, enforcement, corrections, security, ethics, research methods and statistical analysis. Students also complete general education in math, communication, social sciences, humanities, and information technology.

Read Also: 15 Best Online Colleges for Criminal Justice

Highlights:

• Emphasis on research and statistical skills
• Fully online with no campus visits required
• Preparation for bachelor’s degree and careers in criminal justice

6. Northern Virginia Community College

Earn an associate of applied science in administration of justice completely online through Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). Students complete a minimum of 63 credits.

The program provides an overview of criminology, law enforcement, courts, corrections, security, forensics, and emergency management. Students also build communication, critical thinking, and information literacy skills through the general education curriculum.The 15 Best Cake Bakeries in Nigeria

Highlights:

• Incorporates emergent topics like cybersecurity and terrorism
• Engaging in the online learning environment and support services
• Articulation agreements for transfer to bachelor’s programs

7. Webster University

Furthermore, Webster University offers an associate of arts in criminal justice fully online, combining criminal justice courses with a general education curriculum spanning 63 credits. Specifically, program courses provide an introduction to law enforcement, security, legal systems, criminology, corrections, criminal behavior, investigative techniques, and analytical methods. Generally speaking, general education focuses on communication, math, sciences, humanities, and social sciences.15 Best Nigerian Celebrity Chefs

Highlights:

• Small classes taught by practitioner faculty
• Develops foundation for bachelor’s degree and career
• Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

8. Columbia College

Furthermore, the online associate of science in criminal justice degree from Columbia College provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to begin a criminal justice career, however, pursue a bachelor’s degree, or both. The 62-credit program can be completed in two years or less, and core courses, thus, explore the justice system and processes, criminology, juvenile delinquency, criminal investigation, law enforcement, and corrections. The curriculum blends theory with practical skills and applications, and general education is also required.

Highlights:

• Regionally accredited
• 8-week courses with six start dates per year
• Dedicated academic advising and support services

9. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University offers a fully online associate of arts degree in criminal justice, specifically completing 60 credits of coursework, including an 18-credit criminal justice core and a 42-credit general education component.

Program courses provide an overview of criminology, law enforcement, private security, courts, corrections, criminal investigations, and emergency management. General education areas include writing, math, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.105 Good Morning My Love Messages

Read Also: How to Get an Online Criminal Justice Certificate

Highlights:

• Taught from a Christian worldview
• Prepares students for entry-level positions or bachelor’s programs
• Transfer credits accepted from military training

10. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global offers an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice fully online, blending criminal justice courses with general education. Core courses explore criminal law and procedure, forensics, juvenile justice, ethics, report writing, policing, courts, corrections, security, and emergency management. Communication, social science, math, and science courses round out the curriculum, also providing students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts.

Highlights:

• Regionally accredited
• Flexible accelerated courses in a 6-week format
• Credit for military training and certified police academy training

11. Lamar University

Lamar University’s online associate of applied science degree in criminal justice technology provides training for entry-level positions in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. In addition, the 60-credit program can be completed in two years. Major coursework covers concepts such as Texas criminal law and procedure, policing systems, juvenile justice, corrections, forensics, investigations, and criminal justice administration and management. Furthermore, students also complete general education.JAMB Portal

Highlights:

• A strong foundation for a bachelor’s degree and career
• Small classes taught by faculty experts
• Part of the Texas State University System

12. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

The online associate in applied science in criminal justice program from West Virginia University at Parkersburg focuses on developing essential knowledge and skills for the field, specifically, criminology, ethics, courts, law enforcement, security, corrections, investigation techniques, report writing, and statistics. Spanning 60 credits, the curriculum provides a broad-based overview while also including composition, math, social sciences, and humanities.

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Highlights:

• Practical career-focused training
• Credit for prior training, certifications, or experience
• Smooth transfer to bachelor’s degree programs

13. Dakota State University

Dakota State University offers an associate of science in criminal justice completely online, providing a foundational understanding of key concepts and principles.

Specifically, major coursework covers criminal law and procedure, law enforcement operations, crime scene investigation, cybercrime, criminal justice ethics, courts, corrections, and research methods. Students also complete general education components.NYSC Portal

Highlights:

• Specialized courses in cybercrime and digital forensics
• Faculty experts in cybersecurity and technology
• Preparation for entry-level positions or bachelor’s degrees

14. South Florida State College

Highlights:

• Practical career training at affordable tuition
• Small class sizes with individualized attention
• Seamless transfer to partnering universities

15. Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College in Michigan offers an associate of applied science in criminal justice fully online. In addition, students complete 61-63 credits of coursework focused on building key knowledge and competencies.

Also, major courses provide an overview of ethics, criminal law and procedure, policing, security, courts, corrections, investigations, report writing, and statistics. General education focuses on writing, communication, math, humanities, and social sciences.JAMB Result

Highlights:

• Practitioner faculty with professional experience
• Engaging online learning environment
• Prepares for career or continued studies

Read Also: How to Get a Criminology Degree Online

Conclusion

An online associate’s degree in criminal justice offers flexibility combined with solid training in the field’s essentials. The programs highlighted here are some of the top choices for quality, value, and career preparation.

Whether your goal is to jumpstart your criminal justice career or build a foundation for further study, one of these online associate’s degree programs can get you headed in the right direction. Consider your interests and career aspirations, compare program options, and choose the one that best fits your needs. With a criminal justice associate’s degree, you’ll gain knowledge to help create a brighter future.

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