Associate Degree in 
Criminal Justice (Online)

Maybe you’re thinking of a career in law enforcement; maybe you want to work in the court system; or maybe you see yourself working in the corrections system. There’s no single path to a criminal justice career, but every one of those paths shares a starting point: an associate degree in criminal justice.

With an AS in Criminal Justice, you’ll have what it takes to start building a future at every level of our criminal justice system: local, state, or federal. You’ll learn from distinguished professionals in law enforcement, criminology and sociology, social services, and more — and you can do it all on a flexible schedule that works with your busy life.

We know you have responsibilities: to your job, to your family, and to yourself. That’s why Monroe’s School of Criminal and Social Justice has created an online criminal justice program. Using state-of-the-art learning technology, we go above and beyond to make sure every student has what they need to succeed, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

You can see it in the street right outside your window. There’s always a need for smart, compassionate, capable people at every level of the criminal justice system, from police officers to probation officers, from corrections counselors to court managers, and from detectives to defense attorneys. You can be one of them — without ever having to leave your neighborhood. 

When you earn your online criminal justice degree, you’ll learn about the history, theory, and best practices of criminal justice. You’ll also learn about the latest developments in the criminal justice field, from the very people who are applying them in the real world. You’ll see that majoring in criminal justice is about more than simple ideas of crime and punishment. It’s about exploring the root causes of crime, understanding ethics in criminal justice, and developing professional skills that will serve you well in any career. 

Applicants for the online criminal justice associate degree program must fulfill the following admissions requirements: 

• Candidates must possess either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
• Candidates must submit a completed application for admission and a personal statement or essay.

Criminal justice candidates also participate in a pre-admission interview.

Learn more about how to apply.

How Much Does It Cost to Earn an Online Criminal Justice Degree? 

At Monroe University, we work hard to help every student secure the maximum possible financial aid package. That includes scholarships, grants, loans, and even potential work-study employment opportunities. Find out more about our affordable tuition and fees and manageable payment plans.

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Online students can also take advantage of the numerous clubs and honor societies available to criminal justice majors:

• Alpha Phi Sigma: The National Criminal Justice Honor Society, devoted to elevating  scientific and ethical standards within the criminal justice professions.
• PASS - The Police Academy Scholars Program. As you earn your criminal justice degree, you can simultaneously prepare for the police academy through a series of select courses. 
• The Law Society - Students looking ahead to a legal career can get started now, meeting mentors and gaining valuable field experience.
• The Criminal Justice Club - Explore different criminal justice careers as you do work to benefit the communities around you. 
• The Civics & Debate Team - Gain a deeper understanding of landmark legal decisions with a group of peers devoted to critical analysis and debate. 

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