Completing a two-year associate degree in criminal justice can prepare a student for entry into fields such as corrections, security and law enforcement. Students can look for associate degree jobs in entry-level positions in the court system offering support to judges, administrators and legal practitioners. An online associate degree can provide access to the same associate degree jobs made available by a traditional associate degree in criminal justice.
A two-year associate degree in criminal justice can open doorways into fields with high growth potential. Two-year criminal justice degrees are useful for those in search of associate degree jobs in courts and law enforcement, but once established in these positions, former students often find opportunities for promotion to greater pay and greater responsibility. Many students later return to school and eventually complete advanced degrees in law or the social sciences. In some cases, criminal defense and prosecution attorneys start their careers with criminal justice degrees.
Courses required for two-year criminal justice degrees may involve basic law enforcement, report writing, traffic theory, criminal law, juvenile law or basic sociology. Specialized focus areas may offer courses in crime scene technology and policing strategies. Coursework may depend on the requirements of a specific program, but after completing most accredited traditional or online associate degree programs, students have the fundamental skills they need for entry-level jobs in the criminal justice system.
While some students opt for associate degree jobs, many choose to continue their education and attain four-year or advanced degrees in subject areas such as criminology, forensics, ethics, law and behavioral counseling. Many students move directly from criminal justice degrees to law enforcement training.
Criminal justice degrees and online associate degree programs have risen in popularity in recent years, partly because of new rules requiring college credit for entry into the police force.