Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Rhode Island

If you’re interested in working in corrections, policing, courtroom protection, and building security, a criminal justice associate degree may be a great way to begin.

When you choose to study and work in this field, you become part of the larger criminal justice community of Rhode Island and New England. This may mean contributing to reform efforts, a current priority in this state. The push for criminal justice reform is due in part to Rhode Island’s swelling prison population, which legislators hope to reduce significantly in coming years (Providence Journal, 2016).

Before you can uphold the laws and statutes of Rhode Island and the United States, you must be properly trained. Get more information on your training options by contacting Rhode Island schools now.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Rhode Island

A handful of schools offer associate degree programs in Rhode Island, primarily at technical schools and community colleges. If you feel limited by your choice of school, you may want to look into online criminal justice degree options. This may allow you to attend out-of-state schools and study the specific area of study that is relevant to your career.

Across Rhode Island, school expenses and graduation requirements are similar. Listed below are Rhode Island’s average tuition rate and graduation requirements:

• Timeframe: 1.5 to 2.5 years
• Credits: 63 to 72 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $4,266 (College Board, 2016)

Applying for scholarships and grants can help you find out more about professional networking opportunities in Rhode Island while hopefully earning money for your educational expenses. The Rhode Island State Fraternal Order of Police awards the Pezzullo Scholarship to students who want to use their degree to work in law enforcement.

Certain Rhode Island criminal justice associate degree programs offer additional study options. Other degree choices in this state include law enforcement, legal secretary, and paralegal studies.

Curricular requirements are tailored to each degree title, so you can compare courses to find a degree choice that fits your career goals.

For example, a legal secretary program may include these or similar courses:

• Business Writing
• Editing Skills for Office Communications
• Microcomputer Keyboarding
• Office Transcription
• Speech Recognition Software
• Office Accounting
• Business File Management
• Legal Forms and Technology
• Law of Contracts
• Law of Business Organization

It may benefit your career if you attend a school with an internship program. An internship at a local criminal justice agency may give you the chance to work directly with professionals in your field and make sure your skills are up to par. Through feedback, you can find out what you need to improve before you start looking for jobs.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in Rhode Island?

Depending on where you live in Rhode Island, the job outlook may vary for each position. Consider looking for job openings in neighboring counties to find a position that makes the most of your education and talents.

Through 2030, CareerOneStop expects correctional officer job openings to remain relatively steady (2022). Demand for police patrol officers may increase by 10% during this time (CareerOneStop, 2022). An 18% increase in security guard jobs may occur during this time (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Salaries in Rhode Island are often higher than national averages, due to the higher cost of living in this region. Animal control officers earn a mean annual income of $51,210 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). For police patrol officers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates an average salary of $68,290 per year (2022). The average income for a security guard is $37,030 annually (BLS, 2022).

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

Rhode Island residents and visitors depend on reliable, trained criminal justice professionals every day. Contact associate in criminal justice schools to compare local and online programs.