Associate in Criminal Justice Degree
Spartanburg Methodist College
Key Information
Campus location
Spartanburg, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
18 months
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 395 / per credit *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* Tuition is $395/credit hour, which includes e-books and a laptop computer.
Scholarships
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Introduction
An online associate in Criminal Justice degree will help you learn skills that can lead to higher-paying jobs and promotion opportunities, and set you apart from the competition. This program was designed with the working professional in mind. Our virtual classroom experience allows you the flexibility to complete your degree in an effective learning environment – 100% Online. Courses are designed and taught by leading professionals working in the field and include: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, Police Administration, Introduction to Criminology, Criminal Evidence and Procedures, Introduction to Criminal Law, Juvenile Relations, Introduction to Corrections, and Introduction to Forensic Science.
In 1970, the Associate of Arts in Police Science and Administration was created at Spartanburg Junior College (now Spartanburg Methodist College). Over the years, the program evolved into the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice degree and then became the Associate in Criminal Justice in 1985. The Associate in Criminal Justice degree is designed for individuals already working in the criminal justice field, for individuals interested in careers in that field, and for transfer into a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Program Format
New students are accepted into the online Criminal Justice program every 8 weeks. Each semester is divided into two eight-week terms, and into two seven-week terms in the summer. Students will take two classes each term for a total of four classes a semester.
Career Opportunities
Earning an Associate in Criminal Justice degree can open the door to many exciting career opportunities in a growing market.
The Associate in Criminal Justice degree prepares students to enter one of many career fields in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement or to transfer to four-year degree programs in Criminal Justice. This degree relies upon a strong core of liberal arts and social science courses and includes Criminal Justice courses essential to the student’s success in the career field. Students completing this program will gain skills in setting goals, conflict resolution, project management, teamwork, and leadership.
Criminal Justice Career Opportunities
- Arson Investigators
- Bail Bondsman
- Ballistics Officers
- Campus Security Officers
- Canine Officers
- Corrections Officers
- Court Reporters
- Crime Scene Investigators
- Cybercrime Analysts
- Drug Treatment Specialists
- Fingerprint Examiners
- Forensic Technicians
- Juvenile Counselors
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Loss Prevention Managers
- Paralegals
- Polygraph Examiners
- Probation & Parole Officers
- Public Safety Officers
- Research Assistants
- Social Workers
Federal Law Enforcement career opportunities:
- Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Agent (ATF)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
- National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Advantages of earning your Associate in Criminal Justice Degree:
- Career Advancement
- Promotion Opportunities
- Potential Income Increases
- Specialized Criminal Justice Tools
Admission Requirements
Credentials necessary for admission to the online program are a completed online application and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. The Admissions Office, in some cases, may also need references, official high school transcripts, and training transcripts. Students in the online programs must be at least 21 years of age on or before their first day of class.
Students in the 100% online programs must meet one or more of the following requirements:
- Have earned a minimum of 16 semester hours credit at a regionally accredited college, and be in good academic standing, or
- For students with no prior college or less than 16 transferable hours credit, an official high school transcript or GED score must be submitted as part of the application process. The student must have a 2.0 final GPA and be in the top 75 percent of the class, or have a GED with a minimum 150 score on each of the four tests.
Spartanburg Methodist College reserves the right to deny admission to any student whose record indicates that she/he may not be a successful participant in the educational program or whose conduct as a whole is viewed by the College to be inconsistent with its goals, standards, and/or ideals. Spartanburg Methodist College reserves the right to determine which transfer courses meet the requirements and standards of the College.
Learn More About Our Admissions
Spartanburg Methodist College accepts academic credits earned at other regionally accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States. In addition, the College may award credit for military service, for the Advanced Placement Program, for the International Baccalaureate Programme and through the College Level Examination Placement Program (CLEP). No more than a cumulative total of 30 hours of academic credit will be accepted from other colleges, universities, and other sources.
A student may receive a maximum of 30 hours of transfer credit, including up to 8 hours of training academy credit, to reach 64 credit hours based on the evaluation of student’s transcripts by the institution. A student must complete a minimum of 34 credit hours through Spartanburg Methodist College.
Credit for military service and training academy
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Credit:(8 Credit Hour Maximum)
Spartanburg Methodist College accepts, as credit toward graduation with the Associate in Criminal Justice degree, the following courses from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy: CRMJ 202, Criminal Evidence and Procedures; CRMJ 203, Introduction to Criminal Law; PHED 121, Wellness.
Military Service Credit:
Credit may be awarded for educational experiences in the military in accordance with the recommendations published by the American Council on Education and will be consistent with the policy on the transfer of credit. Students should submit an official transcript from the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) or the Sailor/Marine/Ace Registry Transcript (SMART) for consideration.