Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Connecticut

When it comes to progressive criminal justice policies, one of the main states to look to is CT. Criminal justice associate degree students can learn from successful reform efforts and laws that have decreased prison populations and recidivism rates.

In Connecticut, a new law allows inmates at Connecticut jails and prisons to take free college courses through community colleges (CT Mirror, 2016). This is one of many Connecticut policies that aim to help inmates transition successfully into society and avoid re-offending.

With an associate degree, you may qualify for entry-level jobs in many areas of this field. Find out what the next step in your education is by contacting criminal justice programs in Connecticut below.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Connecticut

Generally speaking, associate degree programs are fairly fast-paced. This feature allows graduates to start getting relevant work experience as soon as possible.

Each institution sets its own credit requirements, tuition expenses, and degree completion time frames, but state averages for associate in criminal justice degrees can be found below:

• Timeframe: 2.5 years
• Credits: 66 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $4048 (College Board, 2016)

One of the benefits of choosing this field of study is the array of degree options available to you. Specialized associate degree programs in criminal justice offer courses that are tailored to certain career paths and work environments. Options in Connecticut include judicial reporting, paralegal studies, legal administrative assistant, computer crime deterrence, corrections, and forensics.

Some of these options may be a bit longer than general criminal justice programs, due to the need for specialized course work. However, with careful scheduling and planning, you may still be able to graduate in the same timeframe.

As you work toward an associate in criminal justice, you take a variety of evidence-based classes that give you a strong base of knowledge.

In a general criminal justice program, you may find that your curriculum includes courses like:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Law
• Juvenile Justice in America
• Criminal Law
• Research in Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Corrections
• Criminology
• Criminal Procedure

Financial aid may help you minimize your out-of-pocket expenses and give you a way to make connections in the local criminal justice community. Look into options that are specifically tailored to your intended career path. For example, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association awards mul-tiple scholarships of $1000 each.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in Connecticut?

By the time you graduate, you should already have a fairly good idea of the job market in your area. If you are set on working in a specific field or area of study, you may need to commute for work or be willing to relocate in Connecticut.

However, the overall job outlook in Connecticut is stable. Through 2030, CareerOneStop predicts a 10% boost in police patrol officer jobs in Connecticut. For police detectives, they anticipate a 6% increase in demand (CareerOneStop, 2022).

As is the case in many New England states, Connecticut salaries are often higher than average salaries in other states. Fire inspectors claim an average income of $75,400 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Police patrol officers currently earn an average of $77,280 annually (BLS, 2022). An average salary of $96,020 per year is reported for police detectives (BLS, 2022).

To make the most of your job search, you may want to spend some time networking and getting field experience whenever you can. An internship is an excellent way to do this, since it helps you meet both objectives at the same time. You can also join local professional organizations to learn about different opportunities in your area.

The field of criminal justice may always need ethical, highly trained individuals to take on challenging positions.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Connecticut contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

If you’re ready to become one of them, learn more about earning a criminal justice associate degree by reaching out to the schools listed below.