Gain a better understanding of law enforcement with an Associate of Science (AS) in Criminal Justice degree online at Southern New Hampshire University. You'll have an array of courses to choose from, allowing you to obtain a thorough overview of the American justice system, criminal law, social science, and more, expanding your opportunities when you graduate. Our criminal justice associate degree was created with a real-world perspective. Expanding the boundaries of a traditional criminal justice program, you'll be exposed to current criminology theories and emerging national and global trends. Our AS in Criminal Justice program is suited for both experienced criminal justice professionals who want to upgrade their skill set and those seeking entry-level professional positions in the field.

Learn how to:

- Explore career possibilities and responsibilities in criminal justice

- Collect and convey information to diverse audiences within the profession and community

- Examine laws, regulations, and best practices to inform decision-making

Get credit for law enforcement training: If you have completed basic police, corrections, or probation and parole academy training, you may receive up to 12 credits toward your criminal justice degree at SNHU. In our criminal justice associate degree program, you'll find your classes are mostly an even split of general education courses and classes for your major and you'll discover how well they can all work together.

For instance, both sets of courses can help you develop such in-demand skills as:

- Communication

- Cultural awareness

- Research literacy

- Statistical analysis

The criminal justice curriculum introduces you to a spectrum of ideas, theories, and practices related to the criminal justice system in the United States. Designed to give you a strong foundation, the coursework can provide you with core principles to help you start or advance your career.

Some of these key courses you'll be able to explore are:

- Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice

- Communication Skills for Criminal Justice

- Discretion in Criminal Justice

You'll learn from instructors who have been gaining hands-on experience in the field firsthand knowledge they want to pass on to you. Our criminal justice faculty have worked for major law enforcement agencies, including:

- Atlanta Police Department

- Chicago Police Department

- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

- Homeland Security

- Houston Police Department

- Miami Police Department

- New York Police Department (NYPD)

And so have our students. Joseph Medina earned a promotion with the Boston School Police Department after completing his associate degree coursework in 2017. "I feel that through my education I learned more about the other agencies that I interact with, such as the court system and the corrections system," Medina said. "I also learned a great deal about how a lot of the principles and tactics utilized in modern policing came to be."

With over 7,500 students at Southern New Hampshire University also studying criminal justice, you'll be in good company especially if you decide to continue your education after earning your associate degree. Your coursework throughout your criminal justice associate degree can seamlessly transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online degree program. Aside from building off the hands-on curriculum you've become familiar with, you also have the option to add one of 7 concentrations to your program:

- Corrections

- Criminology and Crime Analysis

- Homeland Security & Counterterrorism

- Human Services & Advocacy

- Police Administration & Operations

- Security Management

- Substance Abuse

Concentrations allow you to develop additional expertise in a specific area which may give you the opportunity to get ahead in the workplace. Beyond a bachelor's, you have the opportunity to earn a master's in criminal justice with concentration options of public safety administration and advanced counterterrorism. Another benefit of earning your criminal justice associate degree online at SNHU is that your program includes 12 free elective credits. These are ideal for transfer students who may have changed majors and want to keep the credits they've earned, as well as for students who are interested in further criminal justice study beyond the program requirements.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)