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HomeTopicsCriminal Justice Car...Types Of Certification
Criminal Justice CertificationTV legal dramas like Law & Order and CSI are creating more interest in criminal justice careers, and, since 9/11, demand for qualified criminal justice professionals has increased. If you want to start a career in criminal justice or advance your current career, it's a good idea to further your education and earn a Certificate in Criminal Justice.
Depending on your particular interests and goals, you can pursue a certificate or an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree. Criminal justice education can qualify you for positions in:
Getting an Education in Criminal JusticeThose looking to further their education in criminal justice have a number of options. The following is a list of different types of schools and the certifications or degrees they can offer:
Looking for a school that focuses on this subject?
Here is a list of institutions and the number of programs they offer.
A criminal justice certificate provides training for a specific position, such as a crime scene technician. It can also provide training in the areas of criminal justice and national security management. Training usually takes one year, and credits earned can sometimes be transferred to other degree programs.
Those who earn certificates usually use them toward a future criminal justice degree, and those who have degrees in unrelated fields can use certificates to develop skills for a career change into the criminal justice field.
Criminal justice degrees differ from certifications in that they take longer to complete. While Associate degrees take two years to complete, bachelor’s degrees take four years. An associate degree qualifies the graduate for specializations including:
Credits earned can usually be transferred and applied to a bachelor’s degree.
With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you will qualify for jobs in:
Getting a Criminal Justice Degree OnlineIf you are deciding whether to study online or go to a traditional campus, most online schools are as reputable and offer the same quality education as a traditional school. The decision should be based on which school best meets your needs.
Kaplan University is an example of an online college that offers a criminal justice certification program. One of the certifications they offer is a Crime Scene Technician Certificate for those interested in criminal investigation and forensics. Other types of certificates include:
Along with these, different schools will also offer their own types of certificates. Because these specialized criminal justice degrees vary from school to school, research exactly what kind of certification you want or need before enrolling with a school. Most certification programs are designed for those currently working in criminal justice (or a related field) and those pursuing an education in criminal justice (or a related field).
Credibility of Certification ProgramsBe sure to research the accreditation status of each school you consider. The school you choose should be accredited by a council or agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If the program is accredited by any other organization or is offered by a foreign institution, a potential employer may not accept it. Recognized accrediting agencies can be found at the U.S. Department of Education Web site.
Cost of CertificationFinancial commitment is another important factor in choosing a school. Community college certificates or degrees are likely to cost less than four-year college and university bachelor's programs. For example, criminal justice certificate tuition can cost about $16,000, while the cost of a four-year degree is usually more than $20,000.
Online tuition can range from $575 per course to about $5,000 for a certificate program.
Do you have a program in mind?
Research different schools that offer any of the below programs with the links below. Associate's Programs
Bachelor's Programs
Master's Programs
Doctoral
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