Criminal Justice Degrees
Criminal Justice Certificates – These are usually specialized in courses to one specific area of criminal justice. Often patrol officers will earn a certificate from the academy to act as a law enforcement official in the state, county or municipality. Since certificates are very specific you will often see them being granted to students graduating from programs such as crime scene investigation or computer forensics. Many students use certificates as stepping stones for future degrees and toward advancing their careers.
Criminal Justice Associates Degrees are awarded after two years of school, however the two years of school can be achieved much quicker than the calendar year if the student takes accelerated courses. These courses give the student a well rounded education in criminal justice while also teaching them about the arts and sciences. Associates degrees are becoming a basic requirement for many law enforcement agencies. Having your associates gives you an advantage over someone with a certificate in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Bachelors Degrees are provided after four years of school, however just like an Associates in Criminal Justice these courses can be accelerated. Criminal Justice Bachelors Degrees give the study in-depth training in criminal justice and society in general. Many people involved in criminal justice careers will build upon their associates degrees to earn a bachelors degrees as an associates degree in criminal justice often mirrors the first two years of a criminal justice bachelors degree.