Education

Associate Degree

• Classes leading to an associate degree in criminal justice gives a student basic knowledge. Core courses include police studies, criminal law, ethics, organized crime, criminal procedures, court systems, crime scene investigation basics, community corrections and crisis intervention. Electives are usually available in related topics, allowing students to learn more about an area that interests them, such as correctional institutions or juveniles.

Bachelor's Degree

• Courses leading to a bachelor's degree in criminal justice provide a more in-depth education and a chance to specialize. Core subjects usually include all the topics labeled as electives in an associate degree, as well as others such as family law, legal environment of business, child and community, substance abuse and treatment in criminal justice, international relations, white collar crime and supervision and leadership. About 125 credits are required to graduate from a bachelor's program.

General Education Subjects

• Both associate and bachelor's degree programs in criminal justice require students to complete a series of general education classes. Among the 60 credits needed for graduation from an associate degree program, students will need to show proficiency in basic courses such as mathematics, English composition and art or music appreciation. Other classes may include psychology and computer applications. General education subjects for a bachelor's are more extensive and include classes in sociology, speech, advanced composition, algebra and statistics, for a total of 40-45 credits (out of the program total of 120).

Specific Subjects and Specialization

• A bachelor's program offers the option, and sometimes requires, specialization. Among the more popular fields are corrections, crime scene, homeland security, public safety and security, computer security and forensics. Some fields may require additional education or field work, while others only require a research paper at the end of the program.

Online Education

• Criminal justice is a popular degree offered by long-distance colleges and online universities. Because it does not require any residency, lab work or supervised classes, criminal justice programs can be done from home.