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Criminal Justice

Associate's Degree

Online Program

Next Start Dates
January 06, 2025
February 12, 2025
Apply By
January 02, 2025
February 10, 2025

Complete in a few as 18 months.1
Estimated Full-Time Total Program Cost: $33,3371

Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree

Earn your Criminal Justice Associate’s degree online and prepare to protect and serve your community. Rasmussen University faculty have years of experience in the field and our online Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program provides the path for you to gain the working knowledge and skills to:

  • Understand the history and development of the criminal justice system and its effect on society, as well as the theory and practice of criminal justice procedures.
  • Develop an awareness and understanding of critical relationship issues between the Criminal Justice system and the diverse populations of the communities served.
  • Apply critical-thinking skills to appropriately react to fast-paced, constantly changing issues in criminal justice, such as security, juvenile justice and domestic violence.
  • Understand what criminal law is and the legal procedures required to enforce the law.

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What Does This Criminal Justice Degree Prepare You For?

Graduates pursue careers in roles protecting and serving, including investigation and security services, probation and parole, and individual and family services.

The Criminal Justice program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any states. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional license.2

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Flexible Online Courses

100% online courses and self-directed assessments designed to give you more control and balance over your busy schedule.

Save Time and Money

Get credit for what you already know with self-directed assessments (taken in place of full courses). With 10 opportunities in this program for self-directed assessments, you could save over $12,000.5

Career-Ready Criminal Justice Skills

Through realistic scenarios including police ride-alongs, interrogation analysis videos and drafting search warrants, you’ll built a strong foundation of skills for the real world.

Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree Courses

Emulating real-world experiences, our comprehensive curriculum prepares you through authentic assessments to apply your training in a broad range of environments and situations.

  • Intro to Criminal Justice

    Explore the three components of the criminal justice system:

    • Law enforcement
    • Courts and corrections, including jails, prisons, probation/parole
    • Rehabilitation programs
  • Criminology Motives for Criminal Deviance

    • Examine social and behavioral issues involved in the study of crime as a social phenomenon
    • Learn various techniques for measuring the amounts and characteristics of crime and criminals

  • Applied Criminal Procedures

    • Examine procedural requirements for the judicial processing of criminal offenders
    • Explore the concepts of evidence sufficiency, standards of proof and due process
    • Examine the Bill of Rights and its applicability to the criminal justice process

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Request More Information About Our Criminal Justice Program

Fill out the form to receive information about:

  • Program Details and Applying for Classes
  • Financial Aid (for those who qualify)
  • Customized Support Services
  • Detailed Program Plans

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Transfer into a Criminal Justice Associate’s Degree

We’re Transfer-Friendly

We have a seamless transfer of credit policy, whether you’ve earned your credits at Rasmussen University or elsewhere.3 In fact, in 2019, Associate's degree students transferred in an average of 26 credits. 4 Choose from numerous entry-point options.

Ladder up to Your Bachelor's Degree

While earning your online Criminal Justice Associate’s degree, you're also setting the stage for your Bachelor's degree. All the credits you earn ladder up to the next level.

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Affordable Education

Tuition & Savings

Do the Math:

With four start dates a year, 5.5-week terms and a total of 24 courses—each 11 weeks in length—full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months for an estimated $33,337.1

$307 cost per full-time credit
x 91 total credits
_______________________
$27,937 total full-time tuition
+ $5,400 total fees
_______________________
$33,337 full-time estimated total program cost

Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).

Explore our Tuition Estimator Tool

Other Ways to Save

Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our online Criminal Justice program is designed to be more affordable with Knowledge Credit® through transfer credits, self-directed assessments, and military training or professional certification. Plus, save more with loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, and military discounts for those who qualify. Find more about:

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Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements at Rasmussen University vary depending on the program. We do not require enrolling students to submit standardized test scores; however, every entrant must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent. To be considered for admission to the Bachelor-Completer Entrance Option, students must hold a conferred Associate’s degree from an accredited institution as recognized by the Department of Education, or students must have successfully completed 90 quarter or 60 semester credits with a grade of C or higher.

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You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is a Criminal Justice Associate's degree worth it?

    An Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the field. You learn from experienced professionals teaching well-rounded curriculum that provides you with the knowledge and skills to be successful in your future in criminal justice—if it’s a field you are passionate about entering, the Associate’s degree may be worth it for you.

  • Is criminal justice a good career?

    Criminal justice is a field that provides a variety of career options and if you’re driven to help others and want to make a positive difference in your local community, this may be the right path for you.

  • What can you do with an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice?

    You’ll be prepared for a variety of roles protecting and serving your community, including court clerk and security officer.3

  • How long does it take to get an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice online?

    With our online program, you’ll be able to complete your Criminal Justice Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months. And if you choose to advance your skills, you can seamlessly transfer in your credits to earn your Bachelor’s in an additional 18 months.1

Don't See Your Question Here?

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Call: 877-308-9946