Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in New York

Constant progress in this field has improved outcomes and allowed New York to serve as an example to other states. State legislation recently passed the Criminal Justice Reform Act, an act comprised of eight separate bills that tackle various issues in this industry (City of New York, 2016).

Some of the goals of this act are to preserve the safety of New York, reduce punishments for nonviolent crime, and ensure that one small mistake does not forever ruin a person’s life.

If you are ready to be part of this and other efforts in New York, find out how you can earn a New York criminal justice associate degree below.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in New York

As a New York student, you can benefit from the wide selection of schools and programs in New York. Depending on whether you plan on earning an online criminal justice degree or a traditional degree, you may be able to choose from exciting programs like paralegal studies, court reporting, cyber security, security technology, corrections, and police science.

If you compare curricular requirements for each of these degree options, you may find that they are quite diverse. These options allow you to choose a degree that is well-suited to your future career path.

If you aren’t sure of your career goals, a general criminal justice degree may be the ideal option for you.

In a security technology program, you may take courses like:

• Introduction to Network Technology
• Networking Security
• Networking Fundamentals
• Computer Forensics
• Firewalls & VPNs
• Business Information System Principles
• Ethical Hacking
• Hardware & Operating Systems

As a general rule, associate degree programs are more affordable than Bachelor’s degree programs. On top of that, there are many scholarship programs that aim to increase the number of criminal justice professionals in New York.

The list below covers average tuition rates and degree requirements for an associate in criminal justice in New York:

• Timeframe: 2 to 3 years
• Credits: 60 to 72 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $5,103 (College Board, 2016)

To find scholarships that are relevant to you, consider your area of study and your intended career path. For example, future police officers may apply for financial aid through the New York City Police Foundation.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in New York?

After earning an associate in criminal justice, get ready to start applying for jobs. If you are interested in jobs that require licensure or certification, such as policing, keep in mind that you may need additional training before you can start working.

Your school may have a career services department that helps recent graduates find potential jobs, so take full advantage of these resources.

The future of criminal justice careers in New York appears stable, although there tend to be more employers and job openings in metropolitan areas. By the year 2030, CareerOneStop estimates a 35% jump in security guard job openings in the state (2022). Each year through 2030, there may be an average of 880 new job openings for police detectives (CareerOneStop, 2022). Similarly, job openings for probation officers may increase at an average rate of 520 jobs per year. (CareerOneStop, 2022).

New York salaries vary between parts of the state, but are generally in line with New England averages. The average income for a New York security guard is $41,690 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Police detectives report an average salary of $110,390 annually (BLS, 2022). Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, probation officers earn an average of $81,370 per year (2022).

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

An associate degree in criminal justice could be the first step in your career, so request information from New York schools now.