Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice

This course outlines the definitions for various criminal acts and examines the psychological, social, and moral influences on criminal behavior. Learners study various responses to criminal behavior, including public policy, law, and criminal justice scholarship.

This course provides an overview of the various codes of ethics used within the criminal justice system. Students explore ethics in law enforcement, policing, corrections, and court systems. They gain skills in ethical mediation and learn how to navigate ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice system.

Courses in police studies provide foundational knowledge of the policing system in the U.S., covering topics like police history, crime patterns and response, and the development of police procedure. Students may take more than one course in police studies, especially if they plan to work in the field.

Paralegals work alongside lawyers, providing assistance and support for law firms. They perform administrative tasks, manage files, and conduct legal research. An associate degree serves as the minimum education requirement for this position, and although optional, some paralegals may choose to earn certification.

Paralegals excel in organization and time management. They possess a working knowledge of the law, and apply that knowledge to their research and case work. Paralegal training prepares students to enter the field and pursue further education.

Social and human service assistants work in a variety of environments, including individual and family services, nursing care facilities, hospitals, and rehabilitation clinics. An associate degree provides the necessary basic education for these positions; however, some employers may require a bachelor’s degree.

Social and human service assistants need strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They may work for nonprofit organizations or serve in roles within government services. Generally, no formal licensure is required.

Police officers and detectives serve local communities by protecting citizens and upholding local, state, and federal laws. Police officers work in emergency services, responding to emergency calls and providing assistance when crimes occur or when citizens are in distress. Detectives investigate crimes, following up on leads and tips from the community, and seek justice for victims of crimes under the law.

Recent shifts in attitudes toward policing may contribute to a change in roles for police officers, with some job duties shifting toward human service professionals, like mental health and social workers.

Associate degree programs typically take two years of full-time study to complete, though some schools offer accelerated programs.

Many graduates pursue jobs in policing and corrections. However, they can also pursue careers as firefighters, private detectives and investigators, and social and community service workers.

Typically, criminal justice associate degrees are AA degrees, but some schools offer AS in criminal justice programs.

Pursuing a postsecondary degree requires hard work, focus, organization, and drive. Online criminal justice programs also require students to possess strong time management skills and self-discipline.

Many potential jobs for associate in criminal justice graduates are projected to grow between 2018 and 2028, so students enjoy strong job prospects.

Law enforcement encompasses a wider range of roles and careers than policing. Policing refers directly to the work of police officers; law enforcement includes all different areas of the criminal justice system.

A criminal justice degree prepares students to pursue roles in a variety of human and community service fields. Many graduates pursue roles in helping industries, like social work and public health.

Social workers often work to foster a more positive relationship between law enforcement and civilians. Today’s shifting ideas about police work may also lead to social workers stepping in to assist law enforcement more often.