An associate's degree in criminal justice takes about two years. The degree program might include studies of penology, law and ethics, deviant behavior and criminology. Students also learn about firearms safety procedures and they practice crime investigation. The associate's degree holder may choose to continue his education and acquire a more advanced degree.
The bachelor's degree is the next step. Students learn about crime scenes and procedures for presenting crime scene evidence in a courtroom. The bachelor's degree holder also learns procedures for analyzing forensic evidence and data bases. This degree blends criminal justice, criminal investigation and criminal law.
If you want to become a criminal investigator, you should consider a master's degree in criminal investigation. Crime scene investigators work shoulder to shoulder with others, such as medical examiners and detectives. This means that you have to know how to share knowledge with them. You will also learn specific techniques for collecting evidence, such as blood and hair samples, fingerprints, and fibers. You will also learn how to take photographs of crime scenes.
If you wish to be a part of the highest levels of the criminal justice system, you can acquire your doctorate in criminal justice. The curriculum varies based upon the institution you attend. The course may include topics such as computer forensics, criminal evidence, crime scene analysis or cybercrime. You can choose among courses that offer mostly coursework or those that have a mix of theory and research.