Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Nebraska

By earning an associate degree in criminal justice, you can combine theory and practical skills to thoroughly prepare for work in this field. You may learn about ongoing efforts and legislation in this state, such as the recently passed Sarah’s Law (KETV, 2016).

This law, proposed in response to an illegal immigrant whose drunk driving caused the death of an innocent person, would require ICE to take custody of individuals who are here illegally and commit a crime resulting in death or injury.

Nebraska is a key part of the national criminal justice system, and it relies on a growing pool of skilled professionals. Discover how you can become one of them by reaching out to Nebraska schools below.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Nebraska

There are several ways to compare Nebraska criminal justice associate degree programs. You may want to examine the ideals and goals of a program by looking at its learning outcomes.

Learning outcomes generally cover specific criminal justice skills, strong critical thinking skills, the ability to communicate with professionals at different levels, and knowledge of Nebraska statutes. These goals vary with different programs.

On top of general criminal justice programs, Nebraska options include paralegal studies, fire science, law enforcement, corrections, and emergency management.

If you pursue a corrections degree, you may enroll in course like:

• Criminal Law
• Juvenile Justice
• Criminology
• Community-Based Corrections
• Communication Skills in Criminal Justice

Online degrees and in-person degrees are both excellent options to consider, depending on your learning needs and what you hope to get from your degree. If you need to work full-time while studying, an online degree may let you be more flexible with your schedule and avoid schedule mishaps.

You may also examine credit requirements, practical experience requirements, and tuition expenses to find a school that fits your budget and timeframe.

Nebraska criminal justice associate degree averages are listed here for your convenience:

• Timeframe: 4 to 6 semesters
• Credits: 63 to 75 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $2,887 (College Board, 2016)

As part of your degree research, find out about local, statewide, and national criminal justice scholarships. These opportunities may allow you to pick the school that is best for you, even if it is not the least expensive. Groups like the State Troopers Association of Nebraska award scholarships to local students.

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

By the time you graduate, you should have the experience and knowledge you need to use your criminal justice associate degree in a career. If you have a specific career in mind, try to tailor your education to that career path.

Completing an internship in a relevant work setting can give you invaluable contacts that may benefit your job search.
At a local airport, you may work as a transportation security officer. The average income for a transportation security officer is $37,200 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Job openings in this specialty are expected to rise 26% through 2022 (O*Net, 2016).

If you go into policing, you may start as a patrol officer. Nebraska patrol officers earn, on average, $53,610 annually (BLS, 2016). Job openings for patrol officers may swell 4% through 2022 (O*Net, 2016).

In a courtroom setting, you may thrive as a bailiff. Bailiffs earn an average of $50,490 annually in Nebraska (BLS, 2016). O*Net expects job openings to increase 3% between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2016).

Now that you know more about what it takes to earn a degree in this field, are you ready to start earning an associate in criminal justice?

Check out our list of schools below—contact schools that interest you to get more information.