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Associate's degree

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

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2 years

Approximate Program Length

60

Total Credits

$398

Cost per Credit

Online

Format

Start when you're ready

Choose an upcoming start date:

Register by: Mar 17, 2021

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Call (844) 937-8679
Learn how the criminal justice and corrections systems operate. Our Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice gives you an understanding of the agencies, systems and procedures involved in criminal justice. Courses in this program are just 5 weeks long, so they won’t get in the way of your busy life.

You'll learn how to:

  • Solve problems encountered by criminal justice system personnel

  • Identify law enforcement functions and procedures

  • Recognize unique issues inherent to juvenile arrest, sentencing and detention

  • Understand sentencing, probation and rehabilitation of prisoners

  • Differentiate between various levels of criminal courts, as well as institutional and community corrections

Download program details

Courses

1

Course at a time

5

Weeks per course

10

Courses per year

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help you schedule your courses.

What you'll learn

When you earn your online associate’s in criminal justice, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. 

Download learning outcomes

Topics covered in this degree include:

  • Critical thinking
  • Police theory and practice
  • Juvenile justice systems
  • Criminal courts
  • Corrections

Program Purpose Statement

The University’s Criminal Justice programs are educational degree programs. For those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or corrections or as a peace officer with any particular local, state, federal, tribal or international agency, there are numerous additional qualifications (and often disqualifications), depending on the position. Before enrolling in a Criminal Justice program, potential students are highly encouraged to check with the relevant agency for a complete list of position requirements. The University makes no representations regarding whether any particular University program will qualify a graduate for any such position.

Careers & Outcomes

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

An AACJS can prepare you to be a: 

  • Correctional officer
  • Jail officer

.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for correctional officers is projected to be lower than average between 2018 and 2028.

BLS projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Tuition

Paying for school

locked-in tuition

$398

Cost per credit

Keep the same fixed, affordable tuition from start to finish of your degree program, even if it takes longer than you planned. That’s our promise: no matter what surprises life brings, you can count on us.

Earn your degree without starting from scratch

On average, students with prior eligible college credits and relevant life experience saved  $11k and 1 year on their undergratuate degree.

Up to $1 million a month in available scholarships
Apply for one of 400 scholarship opportunities this month.

See scholarships

Credit transfer made easy
Graduate faster by transferring in prior eligible credits from another accredited institution.

Transfer credits

Earn your degree faster
Have previous relevant work and life experience evaluated for potential credit. If you have military or law enforcement training such as Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or basic corrections academy training, you can have relevant experience evaluated for potential college credit. Contact an enrollment representative at 844-YES-UOPX for more information.

See how it works

NEED SOME HELP?

Our enrollment representatives can help answer your questions, so you can make an informed choice about going back to school. Reach us by phone at (844) 937-8679 or chat with us 5 days a week.

NEED SOME HELP?

Our enrollment representatives can help answer your questions, so you can make an informed choice about going back to school. Reach us by phone at (844) 937-8679 or chat with us 5 days a week.

Connect with us

Accreditation & Faculty

Count on the quality of your education

Institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Real-world faculty

25

Average years of industry experience

20

Lieutenants

19:1

Student-faculty ratio

Faculty Spotlight

As a faculty member, I'm on your team. I'm your coach and your cheerleader."

Doris Savron

Vice Provost of Colleges, University of Phoenix

Read her story

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

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