Key takeaways
- An associate’s degree in criminal justice is a more affordable program as compared to a bachelor’s program, leading to several associate’s in criminal justice jobs.
- Graduates with an associate’s degree in criminal justice open a wide range of entry-level job opportunities in law enforcement, security, corrections, and so on.
- Several job opportunities, such as Police Officer, Corrections Officer, Crime Scene Technician, and so on, offer great growth opportunities.
- Continuous learning is key for career progression; thus, consider pursuing additional certifications to build specialized skills.
- To pursue leadership roles, you will need to pursue a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in a relevant field.
- Law enforcement and forensics are high-potential fields and offer above-average salaries and great opportunities for career progression.
If you are planning to pursue a career in criminal justice, but don’t want to commit to a four-year program, an associate degree in criminal justice is the ideal option for you. In just half the time as that of a bachelor’s program, you can access a wide range of criminal justice jobs in the private and public sectors. But with the plethora of options available, how will you determine which associates in criminal justice jobs offer the best career growth?
This guide explores the best criminal justice associate degree job opportunities. Here, you will find the job description, potential for growth, expected salary, and answers to some other key questions you must consider when choosing a criminal justice career path.
What is an associate’s degree in criminal justice?
An associate’s degree in criminal justice is a 2-year program offered by two-year community colleges and some four-year colleges and universities across the United States. The program features a total of 60 credit hours that are to be completed in 2 years. It is a condensed version of a 4-year bachelor’s program in criminal justice focusing more on vocational training and basic skill development rather than providing comprehensive knowledge and training as a bachelor’s degree does.
Here, you will undertake courses in general education covering topics such as English, Math, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Additionally, students will take major-specific courses focusing on developing skills needed for criminal justice associate’s degree jobs, as well as electives, to develop specialized knowledge and skills.
Related: Explore the best online schools for criminal justice.
So, if you are looking for a program that will prepare you for criminal justice jobs for 18-year-olds, this is the program for you. It is designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of entry-level roles in the field.
What are the advantages of pursuing a criminal justice AA degree jobs?
Even though the list of available AA in criminal justice jobs is not as lengthy as those available to bachelor’s degree holders, nor do they pay as well, there are several advantages to considering an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
- They are cheaper than a bachelor’s degree and may prove to be a more cost-effective option.
- An associate’s degree is a shorter commitment.
- It prepares you for a variety of entry-level criminal justice associate degree job opportunities.
- You can further your education and pursue a bachelor’s and a master’s degree after gaining work experience.
- Gain the skills you need and pursue careers with an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
Related: Explore the top criminal justice schools in New York.
What can you do with a criminal justice associate’s degree?
A criminal justice associate degree can lead to a variety of entry-level jobs in multiple fields, including law enforcement, security, corrections, and other related fields. Here are some 2-year criminal justice degree jobs that you can pursue after obtaining an associate’s degree in the field.
| Job title | Required qualification | Per annum entry-level salary |
| Police Officer | High School diploma/ GED | $62,148 – entry level |
| Detention Officer | High School diploma/ GED | $54,007 – entry level |
| Gaming Surveillance Officer | High School diploma | $36,000 – entry level |
| Fish and Game Warden | Associate degrees with relevant coursework | $46,990 – entry level |
| Victims Advocate | An associate’s degree is required for some entry-level roles | $35,500 – entry level |
What jobs can you get with a criminal justice associate’s degree? – Best career prospects
An associate’s degree, though, may not to open doors to financially rewarding career paths in criminal justice, but it can definitely open doors to a variety of career opportunities in the criminal justice field. A significant number of these associate’s degrees in criminal justice jobs offer significant potential for growth, especially if you aspire to pursue further education or obtain relevant certifications.
Related: Is getting a criminal justice certificate online worth it?
With these additional certifications, graduates can qualify for several government jobs with associate’s degrees in criminal justice, as well as private sector criminal justice jobs. Here are a few job opportunities that offer the best chance for growth and career progression.
Related: Explore the most in-demand criminal justice jobs in Maryland.
Police Officer
Average annual salary: $77,270 per year
Academic qualifications: High school diploma/ GED (minimum) – associates or bachelor’s degree with academic training (preferred). Education needed for career progression varies and can include academy training, criminal investigation courses and certifications, a bachelor’s degree, and advanced qualifications such as a master’s.
Potential career progression: Sergeant – Lieutenant – Captain – Chief
Job description
If you aspire to pursue a career in law enforcement, becoming a police officer is the ideal option. Police officers are responsible for the enforcement of law, preventing criminal activity, as well as the safety and protection of citizens, their rights, and property. They are the first to respond to emergencies and crime reports, and are in charge of securing the crime scene, arresting suspects, conducting criminal investigations, patrolling assigned areas, and other activities required to ensure compliance with the law.
Related: How much do crime scene investigators make an hour?
Corrections Officer
Average annual salary: $57,950 per year
Academic qualifications: High school diploma or GED for entry-level roles. Moderate on-the-job training is required for correctional officers, and certifications such as the Certified Corrections Officer (CCO), Certified Corrections Supervisor (CCS), and Certified Corrections Manager (CCM) are required for career growth. You can find the full list of available certifications at the American Correctional Association.
Potential career progression: Corrections Officer – Probations Officer – Corrections Management – Police Officer
Job description
A corrections officer is responsible for maintaining security and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations inside a correctional facility. They oversee incarcerated criminals to ensure everyone stays within the lines and deal with those involved in any activity that can potentially disrupt the peace within the facility. Moreover, they protect incarcerated criminals from each other, as many inmates are quite unpredictable, and fights break out often.
Additionally, in case an individual needs to be transferred from the jail to court, medical facility, or so on, corrections officers are responsible for guarding them, ensuring they do not escape, and safely returning to the correctional facility.
Related: A guide to criminal justice and corrections degree.
Loss Prevention Manager
Average annual salary: $63,667
Required education: High school diploma or GED for entry-level roles. A college degree, such as an associate’s degree (with additional certifications) or a bachelor’s degree, is required for leadership roles.
Potential career progression: Security Manager – Corporate Risk Analyst – Fraud Investigator
Job description
Loss Prevention Managers, also known as Private Security Managers, are in charge of protecting a company’s assets, preventing theft and fraud, and minimizing the risk to a company’s assets and interests. They oversee not just the physical security operations but are also responsible for securing digital systems and preventing unauthorized access to critical information and infrastructure.
With the rise in cybercrime, the field of digital security is growing at an unprecedented rate. Thus, those hoping to progress in their career as a loss prevention manager should consider cybersecurity programs and certifications.
Related: How are criminal justice and cybersecurity related?
Crime Scene Technician/ Forensic Science Technician
Average annual salary: $49,142
Required education: An associate’s degree (minimum) + certifications – bachelor’s degree preferred.
Certifications you can pursue include:
- Forensic Crime Scene Investigator by the International Crime Scene Investigation Association.
- Crime Scene Certification by the International Association for Identification.
- Trauma and Crime Scene Technician by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.
Potential career progression: Assistant Crime Scene Technician – Crime Scene Technician – Forensic Analyst – Lead Forensic Scientist.
Related: How can a forensic technician school prepare you for a career in criminology?
Job description
Crime Scene Technicians, also known as Forensic Science Technicians, are in charge of collecting evidence from the crime scene. They are among the first people to visit the crime scene, clearly mark the crime scene to keep people from contaminating the premises, find and collect evidence, and preserve it so it is free from contamination during transport to the forensic lab.
With the proper education, preferably a bachelor’s degree and relevant certifications, a Crime Scene Technician can even go on to become the Lead Forensic Analyst or Forensic Scientist.
Related: How to become a crime scene technician?
Enjoy greater career flexibility with an Associate of Arts in criminal justice jobs
The list of associate’s degrees in criminal justice jobs is quite lengthy, even if somewhat limited to assistant-level positions. There are a significant number of career opportunities that offer substantial scope for growth and progression. However, as is the case with all undergraduate qualifications, even a bachelor’s degree, continuous learning is essential to obtain leadership roles.
The main advantage of pursuing an associate’s degree is that the number of jobs hiring for criminal justice degrees, specifically criminal justice associate’s degrees, is sufficient for everyone to find something suitable. Additionally, it allows you to enter the job market quicker than a bachelor’s degree and is more affordable. Moreover, you benefit from the flexibility to either continue your education and move on to pursue a bachelor’s degree or jump straight to a master’s program if you have the required certifications and work experience.
So, whether you are looking for criminal justice technology associate degree jobs or for government jobs with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, you will find an option that meets your requirements.