Online Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.
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Associate’s in Criminal Justice Overview
Protecting society is more than a career — it’s a calling. And this is your time to answer that call. Earn your associate’s 100% online from one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the U.S. and move your criminal justice career forward.
- Start or advance a career in law enforcement, adult and juvenile corrections, courts, public safety, private investigation, and other related areas.
- Select from a variety of electives to match your degree to your goals and interests.
- Learn from professionals who are experts in the criminal justice field and bring real-world experience to your classroom.
- Explore special transfer credit pathways for military servicemembers and veterans, including Army Combat Arms, Army and Marine Corps Military Police, Coast Guard Maritime Enforcement Specialists, and Navy Master-at-Arms (MA) occupations. Your military service counts at Purdue Global.
- Earn your degree from one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the United States.
Gain the Skills That Employers — and Communities — Need
- Understand the complexities of the U.S. criminal justice system, including existing issues and challenges.
- Learn about criminology, criminal investigation, criminal law, terrorism, corrections and rehabilitation, corporate or private security, investigation techniques, evidence collection, diversity, and more.
- Get practical experience by applying the techniques and skills you’ve learned in school to real-world criminal justice scenarios with our capstone project.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your occupational and military training counts as college credit.
Tuition Reductions
We offer significantly reduced tuition rates for servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve, and veterans.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
Our curriculum offers an in-depth scientific study of criminology, criminal investigation, criminal law, domestic and international terrorism, and counterterrorism.
Courses are taught by knowledgeable and credentialed criminal justice professionals with years of industry experience. Additionally, our state-of-the-art, interactive technology allows for a collaborative and engaging environment with fellow classmates.
Sample Courses
- Preparing for a Career in Public Safety
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Procedure
- Associate's Capstone in Criminal Justice
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Reach Your Career Goals Sooner
Military Transfer Credit Pathways
If you are a servicemember or veteran, we believe your military training should give you a jump start on your education. Combining your military experience and prior learning makes it easier for you to earn an online associate's degree in criminal justice.
To help you achieve your academic and professional goals, we have evaluated various military occupations to reduce the number of courses required to earn your associate’s degree in criminal justice:
- Army Combat Arms: 11B, 11C, 19D, 19K
- Army Law Enforcement: 31B, 31D, 31E, 31K
- Coast Guard: Maritime Enforcement Specialists (ME)
- Marine Corps Military Police: 5811
- Navy: Master-at-Arms (MA)
Get a Head Start on Your Bachelor's Degree
By completing your criminal justice associate’s degree, you’ll not only earn a quality education that immediately impacts your career, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for your next degree.
You can transfer your associate’s-level criminal justice degree into Purdue Global's criminal justice bachelor’s degree, covering half of the program’s requirements.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe a time when you had to mediate a conflict between two individuals? What specific steps did you take to resolve the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a time when your attention to detail helped prevent a major error, or when you caught a mistake in a report or investigation. How did you handle the situation, and what was the result?
- Tell me about a time you successfully collaborated with individuals from different agencies, departments, or even different levels of government on a security-related project or incident. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Describe a time you had to analyze a large amount of complex or ambiguous information to identify a potential threat or security vulnerability. What was your process, and what did you conclude?
- Tell me about a time you took initiative to improve a process, system, or capability related to security or preparedness without being asked. What was the result?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Emergency Response
- Site Security
- Access Controls
- De-escalation Techniques
- Auditing
- Physical Security Operations
- Loss Prevention
- Operations Management
- Security Management
- Customer Service
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Report Writing
- Interpersonal Communications
- Operating Systems
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
Faculty publications in 2022–2023
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with an associate's degree in criminal justice.