Criminal Justice Degree Programs & Courses: Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice Online

Pursuing a career in the field of criminal justice may provide you with a sense of value and commitment to your community. Criminal justice professionals help to uphold the law and provide a sense of safety and well-being to those around them. Earning an associate's degree in criminal justice may help prepare you for a variety of entry-level employment opportunities in this competitive field.

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

This program is designed to help you develop a broad liberal arts knowledge base and the skills sought by employers in the criminal justice industry. Highlights include:

An opportunity to interact with practicing professionals and study career-specific skills in criminal justice
An overview of the philosophy and development of the U.S. criminal justice system, its agencies and institutions, and the issues and challenges they face
A strong focus on criminology, criminal investigation, criminal law, domestic and international terrorism, and methods of countering terrorism
A capstone project in which you will apply the techniques and skills you study in your courses in real-world criminal justice scenarios.

What are the Career Opportunities?

As a graduate of this program you may qualify for entry-level employment in police departments, sheriff's departments, or other law enforcement offices, juvenile detention facilities, jails, prisons, or the court system.* Opportunities may also exist in private-sector, corporate, and government security and private detection or investigation. Successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program at Kaplan University may also prepare you for further baccalaureate and master's-level studies in criminal justice.^†

Curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
CJ 101	INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM	5 INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM This course provides an overview of the criminal justice system in the United States. Students gain an understanding of the philosophy and development of the criminal justice system, the current state of the criminal justice agencies and institutions, and the issues and challenges facing them.
CJ 210	CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION	5 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION This course explains the importance and legal significance of evidence. It demonstrates how the investigative process works, from crime scene preservation to case preparation and courtroom presentation. It also examines various techniques used during criminal investigations, such as photography, interviewing, evidence handling, and scene reconstruction, and how each applies to specific types of crimes.
CJ 227	CRIMINAL PROCEDURE	5 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE This course examines the constitutional protection and due process afforded every person arrested in the United States. It provides students with a thorough understanding of the U.S. justice system from the time of arrest through the sentencing of the criminal off ender. In addition, this course examines such matters as victims' rights and the effects of gangs on the crime problem.
CJ 299	ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE	5 ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE The capstone project applies problem-solving techniques and research skills to real-world situations by building on the criminal justice concepts learned by the student in other courses. Students will identify a contemporary issue in criminal justice, research the issue, analyze the situation, define possible solutions, and then recommend and defend their proposed solution.
	MAJOR ELECTIVES	15 MAJOR ELECTIVES
Choose one of the following courses:*
CJ 100	PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN PUBLIC SAFETY	5 PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN PUBLIC SAFETY This course introduces students to careers in criminal justice and describes the Kaplan University public safety degree programs. The field of study, skill sets, and the criminal justice agencies and diverse populations encountered in the field will be discussed. Students will research the public safety degree program and class offerings in conjunction with their professional and personal goals in order to map out their specific degree plan and career goals. This course is designed to ensure criminal justice students have a successful social and academic transition into academic excellence within the Kaplan University community, and provide a foundation for success within the profession.
CS 121	PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS	5 PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS Designed to facilitate personal and professional success, this course introduces students to the purposes and processes of university education. An emphasis is placed on study, communication, and thinking skills that support academic achievement. Students also examine the relationship between learning and motivation. Onsite only.
*Online students will take CJ 100: Preparing for a Career in Public Safety.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	35 OPEN ELECTIVES

Students who do not possess prior learning credit comparable to IT 133: Software Applications must either take the course as an elective or pass the IST assessment before their first term or upon completion of foundational coursework.

Total Program Requirements	90 Total Program Requirements

Core Requirements
Major
Open Elective
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice	90
Total cost of tuition	$33,390.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*Additional police academy training may be required for law enforcement jobs.
^†While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs.

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

School of Criminal Justice