How To Get a Criminal Justice Degree

Criminal justice is a diverse and interdisciplinary field that plays a vital role in maintaining order, enforcing laws, and protecting the rights of individuals. A degree in criminal justice offers a structured path to understanding the systems and institutions that shape public safety and the rule of law. If you're drawn to law enforcement, legal studies, or correctional systems, understanding how to get a criminal justice degree can help you take the next step toward your education.

Explore the educational paths, what to expect from each level of study, and how to navigate the process of earning a degree in criminal justice through traditional or online programs.

Understanding Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is essentially the way our society works to maintain order through systems and institutions that prevent crime, enforce laws, and hold people accountable when laws are broken.

It is typically divided into three main components:¹

• Law Enforcement: Includes local, state, and federal agencies responsible for preventing and investigating crime.
• Courts: Encompasses the judicial system, where legal disputes are heard and adjudicated.
• Corrections: Involves the management of individuals who have been convicted of crimes, including incarceration, probation, and rehabilitation programs.

At Rasmussen University, the criminal justice degree program² emphasizes applied learning and real-world scenarios that introduce students to these major branches. Courses address topics like juvenile justice, domestic violence, criminal behavior, corrections, and criminal law. The program also focuses on ethical decision-making, communication skills, and cultural literacy; all essential qualities for engaging with diverse communities and challenging environments.

Understanding the criminal justice system requires a broad-based knowledge of history, criminology, law, policy, and human behavior. Programs² like Rasmussen’s combine theoretical learning with scenario-based projects to help students think critically about issues such as community policing, juvenile delinquency, restorative justice, and procedural fairness. This interdisciplinary approach enables students to connect classroom topics to real-world justice systems, including protective services, courts, and correctional facilities.

Types of Criminal Justice Degrees

Associate Degree

Rasmussen University offers an associate degree in criminal justice³ that can be completed online with support from on-campus resources. This online criminal justice degree program provides realistic, scenario-based experiences, such as analyzing crime scene investigation footage or preparing search warrants to help students develop career-focused skills.

The associate program includes core courses³ in criminal behavior (criminology), practical psychology, criminal law, drugs and crime, and domestic violence. Rasmussen emphasizes flexible pacing, allowing students to structure their learning around work or family commitments. Students also benefit from the school’s Knowledge Credit^® system, which allows them to gain credit for prior learning, military training, or self-directed assessments, potentially saving time and cost.

Bachelor’s Degree

The bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Rasmussen University⁴ builds on associate-level foundations by offering deeper exploration into topics such as applied criminology, evidence-based leadership, and mental health and substance abuse. Students engage in applied coursework that emphasizes communication skills, critical thinking, and analysis of the justice system.

Bachelor’s degree students explore additional areas⁴ such as diversity and social populations, values-based leadership, research methods in criminal justice, and advanced correctional practices. Assignments emphasize research skills and writing, helping students develop a strong foundation in legal systems, security management, and community corrections.

This online bachelor's degree in criminal justice is offered in a fully online format⁴ and includes embedded transfer credit pathways, allowing students with prior college experience to apply them toward program completion. Academic support includes access to faculty with real-world experience, online learning tools, and student services that help learners stay on track.

Steps To Obtain a Criminal Justice Degree

Researching Programs

Begin by identifying degree programs that meet your academic and logistical needs. Consider factors such as accreditation, faculty experience, transfer credits, online program flexibility, and support services. Rasmussen University provides online criminal justice degrees² at the associate and bachelor’s levels, allowing for greater access to students balancing other responsibilities.

Explore program content to ensure it aligns with your goals. For example, Rasmussen’s curriculum² emphasizes problem solving, criminal law, and the structure of the criminal justice system. Students may also study crime prevention, juvenile probation, or law enforcement training depending on their interests and course availability.

Application Process

Prepare your application materials carefully. Most schools require high school graduation transcripts, prior college records, or letters of recommendation. Rasmussen provides support through admissions advisors who guide students through enrollment, including how to submit transcripts or test scores.

Entrance requirements at Rasmussen University vary depending on the program. They do not require² enrolling students to submit standardized test scores; however, every entrant must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent. To be considered for admission to the Bachelor-Completer Entrance Option, students must hold a conferred associate degree from an accredited institution as recognized by the Department of Education, or students must have successfully completed 90 quarter or 60 semester credits with a grade of C or higher.

Enrollment and Course Selection

Once enrolled, students should familiarize themselves with their degree’s requirements. Rasmussen offers online degrees with flexible course scheduling and customizable electives. Online learning allows students to build a criminal justice major⁴ that fits their career path, whether it’s law enforcement jobs, correctional work, or victim advocacy.

The associate criminal justice degree program³ focuses on the fundamentals of the justice system, including criminal offenses and the role of police agencies. The bachelor’s criminal justice degree program⁴ builds on that knowledge with deeper study in leadership, criminal investigation, and the cultural dimensions of law enforcement. Students may also explore specialized areas such as crime prevention or constitutional law.

Strategies for Engaging With Criminal Justice Programs

Staying engaged as a criminal justice student involves a combination of coursework, field exploration, and interaction with other criminal justice professionals.

Consider these strategies:² 

• Participate in interactive learning: Rasmussen’s scenario-based coursework simulates real situations encountered by professionals in protective services or corrections officers.
• Collaborate with faculty and peers: Group projects and discussions foster communication and research skills that are essential in law enforcement and legal contexts.
• Explore practical experiences: Even in an online program, students can connect with local government, police departments, or victim services to observe how the legal system functions in practice.
• Stay current with trends: Following criminal justice news, case studies, and academic publications helps students link course concepts to real-world developments.
• Use technology effectively: Online college platforms support time management and allow students to track their assignments, access reading materials, and communicate with instructors.

Start Your Criminal Justice Degree Journey

Earning a criminal justice degree involves thoughtful planning, academic dedication, and meaningful engagement with the criminal justice system. If you’re pursuing your first associate degree or returning for a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, programs like those at Rasmussen University offer flexible, focused options.²

By understanding your interests whether in criminal investigation, corrections, victim advocacy, or crime prevention, you can begin choosing an educational path that suits your goals. Begin by researching accredited programs, reviewing application deadlines, and speaking with advisors who can guide you in navigating your next steps in the legal and justice field.

¹Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Justice System," available at https://bjs.ojp.gov/justice-system (accessed July 2, 2025).
²Rasmussen University, "Criminal Justice Degree," available at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/criminal-justice/ (accessed July 2, 2025).
³Rasmussen University, "Associate Degree in Criminal Justice," available at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/criminal-justice/associates/ (accessed July 2, 2025).
⁴Rasmussen University, "Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice," available at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/criminal-justice/bachelors/ (accessed July 2, 2025).