Many educational opportunities exist for people interested in criminal justice. Degree options include criminal justice certificate programs, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees. Many colleges and universities offer degrees in criminal justice or a closely related field. The different types of degree programs vary in their length and academic rigor.
The fastest criminal justice education option is to complete a certificate program. Online colleges often offer these programs, which typically last from 9 months to 1 year. The next fastest option is to earn an associate degree, which usually takes 2 years. Both certificate programs and associate degrees require you to have a high school diploma or general equivalency degree. Bachelor's degree programs typically last 4 years while graduate degrees take several years beyond a bachelor's degree.
Certificate programs, the fastest criminal justice education option, typically include an online curriculum that covers the organization of the American criminal justice system, criminology, ethics and criminal law. Associate degree programs are longer, including core courses in science, humanities and other social science disciplines in addition to criminal justice classes. Bachelor's degrees typically require students to complete a series of core courses and to take a number of specialized criminal justice electives.
Before choosing a program based on its length or difficulty, consider your career options. A certificate program is a fast and inexpensive option, but future employers might require an associate or bachelor's degree. Talk to professionals in your field to ask what type of education program they recommend. Longer programs, such as bachelor's degrees, often improve your career options after graduation.