Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Utah

Research is a strong indicator of what works and what does not work in the field of criminal justice. Utah is ahead of the curve in this area; it is one of the first states to work with the federal government to develop a criminal justice system based on scientific data (Salt Lake Tribune, 2016). With this approach, Utah legislators hope to spend less time and money on incarceration while developing programs that help offenders turn their lives around.

Are you ready to get involved in this industry? Education may be the first step for you. Start comparing associate in criminal justice options now by contacting the schools listed below.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Utah

One of the benefits of a criminal justice degree is its flexibility. Perhaps you know that you want to work in this industry but you don’t know exactly which career path is right for you yet. A general criminal justice degree can expose you to a number of fields and help you develop a list of careers that interest you.

Maybe you know exactly what type of job you want and you are interested in focusing on that area in your training. You may benefit from an associate degree program in paralegal studies, corrections, legal assistant, or emergency management, all of which are offered at Utah schools.

No matter which group you are part of, it is important to do your research at this step and make an informed school choice. You may find it helpful to compare curricular requirements, since the courses you take determine what you learn and what skills you bring to the table during your job search.

The following courses are commonly required in paralegal and legal assistant Utah programs:

• Criminal Law
• Introduction to Law
• Legal Research and Writing
• Constitutional Law
• Courts
• Civil Procedure
• Family Law
• Laws of Evidence

If you have other obligations, including work and family, you may be wondering if you are a good fit for a criminal justice program. However, you may enjoy a more flexible educational experience with online criminal justice associate degree programs. These programs may let you spread out your coursework and fit video lectures into your schedule.

Earning a Utah criminal justice associate degree can be fairly inexpensive, a huge benefit for most students.

Average credit requirements and tuition expenses are listed here:

• Timeframe: 4 to 6 semesters
• Credits: 60 to 69 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $3,565 (College Board, 2016)

Applying for scholarships and grants can be an effective way of earning money for school, but it also helps you build professional relationships with leaders in your industry. Use our list of criminal justice scholarships to find those that are relevant to your area of study.

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

Across Utah, the outlook for criminal justice associate degree jobs is extremely bright. Predicted job growth rates are often higher than national averages.

According to CareerOneStop, job openings for bailiffs should remain steady through 2030 (2022). Correctional officers may see a 2% jump in demand (CareerOneStop, 2022). The expected job growth rate for patrol officers is 20% (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Utah salaries are in line with national statistics. The mean income for Utah animal control workers is $40,820 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Correctional officers bring in an average of $49,460 annually (BLS, 2022). An average income of $62,790 per year is reported for patrol officers (BLS, 2022).

If you are ready to use your talents in the field of criminal justice, this is the time to get started.

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

Start preparing for your future career by requesting information on earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Utah schools below.