Key takeaways
- There is no one answer for how long does criminal justice take as different programs have different durations.
- Criminal justice is a broad, multi-tiered system involving law enforcement agencies, courts, corrections, and other institutions involved in the administration of justice.
- An associate’s degree in criminal justice is a 2-year program offered by 2-year community colleges.
- At the undergraduate level, a bachelor’s degree, which is a 4-year program, offers a more comprehensive curriculum and wider career opportunities.
- You can pursue a 1 to 3-year master’s degree in criminal justice to become eligible for leadership roles.
- A PhD lasts 3 to 5 years and is essential for those who want to become experts in this field.
- Specializations you can pursue in criminal justice include forensic science, criminology, criminal justice administration, and more.
Some break the law, and those who spend their lives abiding by the law and then those who are passionate about protecting the community and ensuring justice prevails in society. If you belong to the latter, criminal justice is the field for you, and you should consider pursuing a formal education. Since a college education requires significant resources and time, it is best to explore all options before making a decision.
In this guide, we discuss how long does criminal justice take and what are the available criminal justice degrees you can pursue. We will also highlight the pros and cons of each program to aid your decision-making process. But first, let us understand what criminal justice is all about.
What is criminal justice?
Criminal justice is a broad field encompassing a system of laws and principles as well as organizations and institutions responsible for ensuring peace and order in society. The system is designed to protect the citizens and property of a country. There are different phases of the system in charge of ensuring the prevalence of law and order and the processes used to deal with and restore peace after chaos strikes. The phases are:
- Investigation – When a crime is committed and reported, law enforcement officers carry out an investigation to find the criminal and gather irrefutable evidence to ensure they get the punishment they deserve.
- Trial – The criminal, along with all the evidence gathered and other details of the case, are presented before a judge
- Implementation of the verdict – Prison officers, corrections officers, criminal psychologists, and others involved in the criminal justice administration ensure the sentence granted by the judge is carried out to the letter.
So, the term criminal justice not only includes a set of laws but the entire system, including law enforcement agencies, courts, legal systems, corrections, and prosecution. So, whether you aspire to become a criminal psychologist, police officer, lawyer, an FBI Agent, or a judge, you will be a part of the criminal justice system.
How long does criminal justice take?
College education is a significant time commitment, so it is only natural to want to know how long does criminal justice take and what are your available options. However, since there are multiple college programs you can pursue, there is no set answer for this question.
At the bachelor level, you can either pursue an Associate degree in criminal justice or a Bachelor’s degree in the field. You can also pursue a diploma or a certificate, however, those hold more weightage when taken in combination with a college degree. At the advanced level, you can pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice and then go on to pursue a PhD in the field. So, there is no one answer for how long to get a degree in criminal justice.
Associate degree in criminal justice
An associate’s degree in criminal justice takes 2 years to complete and is primarily offered by 2-year community colleges. It provides students with foundational knowledge in criminal justice and equips them with skills needed for entry-level supportive roles such as a police dispatcher, victim advocate, or detention facility coordinator.
This is the shortest degree you can pursue and is ideal for those who are unable to commit to a four-year program. With an associate degree, you can enter the job market quicker, but will only be able to avail of limited opportunities.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program offered by 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. The program features a more comprehensive learning curriculum and is ideal for those who want to pursue a qualification that will open a wider range of career opportunities for graduates. You can also pursue specializations in a bachelor’s degree, which will help you develop niche-specific skills in a career direction of your choice.
Potential job opportunities you can explore after graduation are Paralegal, Police Officer, FBI Agent, Court Reporter, and so on.
Masters Degree
A Master’s degree is an advanced program and lasts anywhere between 1 to 3 years, depending on program curriculum, mode of learning, and learning timeline. Part-time students and those enrolled in a research program generally take longer to finish their degrees. With a master’s degree, you become eligible for senior-level positions in the field. You will also be developing managerial and other niche-specific skills, enabling you to pursue leadership roles.
PhD in criminal justice
PhD is the highest level of education you can pursue in the field. It can last anywhere between 3 to 5 years and is a specialized program. Here, you will learn the ins and outs of conducting research and be asked to apply your learning by conducting research on a topic of your choice. The program will last asl long as your research lasts, and after graduation, you will become an expert in your field. However, most universities only extend a PhD program to a maximum of 8 years, during which you must publish your findings.
Diploma and Certifications
If you are really short on time and are hoping to build skills to obtain a job, pursuing a diploma or a certification might be the way to go. A diploma only lasts one year, and some certifications only last around 2 to 3 months. The duration for these qualifications vary, and you will have to determine how long does criminal justice take yourself when it comes to these programs.
What does a degree in criminal justice entail?
A criminal justice degree studies the criminal justice system in depth. Through the program, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the different components of the criminal justice system and their respective roles and importance. This includes studying law enforcement, courts, corrections such as criminal psychology, forensic science, criminology, and other related fields.
The program covers essential topics in areas such as the justice system, law, police system, and more. While the exact program curriculum will vary depending on the college you choose, program type, qualification type, faculty expertise, and many other factors, here is a list of courses you can expect to see in a bachelor’s program in criminal justice.
- Introduction to Justice Studies
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure and Public Policy
- Multicultural Policing
- Criminological Theory
- Criminal Behavior
- Understanding Statistical Inference
- Police Academy Training Program
- Corrections in Society
- Critical Thinking in Social Science
Do keep in mind that the exact range of courses available to you will vary depending on multiple factors. It is best to check your college curriculum to determine available subjects and courses to ensure the college you choose offers courses relevant to your career aspirations.
Available specializations in criminal justice
Since the field of criminal justice in itself is so broad, students have the option to choose a relevant specialization as per their career aspirations. A specialization can not only help you build niche-relevant skills but also enhance your eligibility, especially for specialized roles. Here is the complete list of areas you can choose as concentration tracks in a criminal justice program.
Forensic Science
In this specialization, you will learn how to apply scientific knowledge to matters of law. Here, professionals learn to use science and scientific knowledge to aid criminal investigations. Through the curriculum, you will learn how to conduct crime scene investigations, gather evidence, analyze evidence, and find irrefutable evidence to aid criminal proceedings.
Forensic science professionals play a pivotal role in criminal investigations. The court only accepts evidence that is accurate, irrefutable, and backed by science. Hearsay or anything subjective cannot be submitted as evidence in court, which is why forensic science is an important specialization in the field of criminal justice. Within this specialized field, there are several concentration areas you can choose.
- DNA Analysis
- Blood Analysis
- Toxicology
- Pathology
- Ballistics
- Fire Investigation
- Anthropology
- Entomology
- Digital Forensics – Cybercrime
- Forensic Accounting
Criminology
Criminology is the study of crime and the criminal mind. This specialization may not be for everyone as it specifically involves reviewing crimes, even violent ones, and analyzing the evidence, crime scene, witness testimonies, victim’s statements, and more to understand how the crime was carried out. Additionally, criminology professionals interview criminals to understand how their minds work, what compels them to commit a crime, and how they go about it.
Criminology is also an essential component of the criminal justice field as it aids in the creation of prevention policies and best practices to reduce the number of violent crimes. Professionals in the field are also responsible for creating criminal profiles, which can help law enforcement professionals identify at-risk individuals and even make it easier for them to identify suspects and catch criminals.
Criminal Justice Administration
If you are someone who is passionate about ensuring rightful justice administration, this is the field for you. Through the program, you will learn everything there is to know about the legal system and justice administration. This specialization focuses on crime and how our society responds to crime, taking into account the entire criminal system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
The program covers essential topics such as:
- Planning and evaluating criminal justice programs
- Researching policies, procedures, and other aspects of justice administration
- Policing in contemporary society
- Administering correctional services and programs
You will also learn to refine your research skills to identify areas for improvement and ensure optimal criminal justice administration.
Choose how long to get a degree in criminal justice and get started!
Now that you know how long each qualification takes, we bet making a decision is easier. If you have the liberty to be able to commit four years to a college program, a bachelor’s degree is the choice for you. If you want a college education but are looking for something shorter, an associate’s degree is a good starting point.
You can always use the credits earned in your associate to earn concessions in your bachelor’s program should you decide to get a bachelor’s degree sometime later. We suggest you seek degree advice from professionals, as choosing the right qualification is the ideal first step to a successful career.