An online associate degree in criminology opens up various career possibilities and builds a solid foundation for continuing academic study at the bachelor's level and beyond.
An associate degree qualifies its graduates for an array of entry-level employment options in:
Law enforcement
Government
Private security
Community and social services
An associate degree translates into an immediate salary boost for many jobs. Use this guide to learn more about online associate degrees in criminology and how the skills and competencies this degree yields can translate into potential careers.
What Will You Learn in an Online Associate Degree in Criminology Program?
Most online criminology associate degrees require 60 credits of general education and foundational coursework that provides you with the core skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical insights needed for entry-level jobs or further education.
Major-specific classes typically address:
Criminological theories, concepts, and applications
Constitutional law
Criminal investigation
Computer and technological competencies
The following can give you an idea of what to expect from an online associate degree in criminology:
Common Courses
- Introduction to Criminology
This prerequisite course introduces students to criminal behavior, laws, norms, and social perceptions. The course also addresses policing and punishment, criminal justice reform, and preventing crime.
- Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
This overview of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system prepares students for employment in law enforcement, probation services, and counseling. The course addresses:
The social construction of childhood and adolescence
Theories of delinquency
Approaches to punishment and rehabilitation
The social and legal contexts within which delinquency occurs
- Constitutional Law and the Legal System
This course introduces students to the American criminal justice system. Course content addresses:
Separation of power
Due process
Equal protection
Freedom of religion
The course gives special attention to important Supreme Court cases.
- Criminal Investigations
This course surveys techniques and procedures for collecting and analyzing crime scene data. Students in this course become familiar with appropriate field standards and best practices, including interviewing witnesses and suspects, collecting and preserving evidence, and conducting a basic forensic evidence exam.
- Community-Based Corrections
This course examines how community-based corrections programs can incorporate mental health treatment, education, job training, and work release initiatives. Students learn about community-oriented services, such as:
Halfway houses
Residential treatment facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Alternatives to incarceration in jails and prisons
Core Skills Gained
Top online criminology associate degree programs teach the job-specific skills most employers desire while providing an understanding of criminal justice and court systems. These programs deliver a strong academic foundation in criminological theories, concepts, and principles.
Skills associate degree-holders have that many careers require include:
Highly developed oral and written communication proficiencies
Critical thinking skills
The ability to connect interpersonally
Sensitivity to racial, ethnic, and gender diversity
An online associate criminology degree often appeals to students who want to enter the workforce and gain experience in the field as quickly as possible. For many positions in law enforcement, corrections, and social services, an associate degree represents the minimum educational requirement.
Below are some potential careers and salary prospects for criminology associate degree-holders:
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Average Annual Salary: $70,000
Police officers protect lives and property by enforcing laws. They respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, conduct surveillance, and uncover evidence for criminal investigations. Specific job responsibilities vary in each state and local law enforcement agency.
Average Annual Salary: $56,610
Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for trials, hearings, and meetings. Their duties include organizing files, conducting legal research, and producing briefs and other legal documents. In addition to an associate degree, some employers require certification.
Average Annual Salary: $60,100
These professionals work with individuals, attorneys, and businesses who need their services to collect legal, financial, and personal information. Duties may include carrying out investigations, performing background checks, and conducting surveillance.
Average Annual Salary: $52,340
Correctional officers work in jails and prisons, supervising inmates and inspecting facilities to maintain security and safety standards. Bailiffs supervise procedures in courtrooms, providing security for judges, attorneys, juries, and witnesses.
Average Annual Salary: $34,360
These security professionals find employment in gambling casinos, corporate office centers, and shopping malls. They protect property against theft, monitor closed-circuit surveillance and alarm systems, respond to emergencies, and detain suspected violators.
Transferring to a Four-Year Program After Getting Your Online Associate Degree in Criminology
Many students enroll in online associate degree programs in criminology with the intention of earning a bachelor's in criminology or a related academic field. An associate degree in criminology builds a strong academic foundation for several undergraduate degree programs, such as the ones listed below.
Bachelor's in Criminology
The bachelor's in criminology is perhaps the most applicable undergraduate major for associate degree-holders in criminology. It prepares students to look at:
The causes and effects of crime
The connections between U.S. law and social justice
Crime's impact on victims, offenders, families, communities, and society
A bachelor's in criminology equips students with a broad social science background and training in research methodology.
Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Psychology
The bachelor's degree in forensic psychology applies psychological principles to the legal and criminal justice systems. A bachelor's degree is the next step to becoming a licensed forensic psychologist, which requires a doctorate and state licensure.
Degrees and Careers for Detectives
Detectives pursue undergraduate majors, including criminology, security management, and forensics. Private security companies increasingly prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree, and many law enforcement agencies require a bachelor's for advancement into detective roles.
