Associate Degree in Human Services (Online)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- On Campus
- Online
- Hybrid
Monroe’s On Campus Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
When you earn your associate degree in criminal justice, you’ll learn the skills you need to start building a career at every level of the criminal justice system, in both the private and public sectors.
Monroe’s criminal justice majors go on to rewarding careers in law enforcement: court systems at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as in our corrections systems. Our experienced, professional faculty at the School of Criminal and Social Justice will teach you not only what it means to protect. They’ll teach you what it means to serve.
As a criminal justice major, you’ll learn how you can make a difference in your community, and you’ll do it with the kind of hands-on, real world training that you can only get in New York City… and only at Monroe College.
Why Should I Major in Criminal Justice?
At its core, criminal justice is about keeping communities safe, but it’s also about fairness. That’s what justice is, after all: the promise that everyone receives equal treatment in the eyes of the law. With an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from Monroe College, you can do your part to make sure society keeps its promises.
Whether you’re considering a job in law enforcement or social services, the court system or the corrections system, in a public defender’s office or in private security, majoring in criminal justice is an important first step towards a fulfilling, stable career. You’ll gain an understanding of the realities of our justice system, as well as the unique issues that arise in the field of criminal justice, including:
- Criminal justice reform
- Bail reform
- The relationship between poverty, incarceration, and recidivism
- Restorative justice
To create long-lasting, meaningful change in our communities, it takes well-educated, well-trained professionals. As a criminal justice major, those are the very professionals from whom you’ll learn — and the kind of professional you will become.
The Criminal Justice Curriculum
At the School of Criminal and Social Justice, your professors are also professionals from every corner of the justice system. Our faculty includes both active and retired police officers, attorneys, criminologists, social workers, psychologists, corrections officers, and more. Our instructors have distinguished themselves in careers both inside and outside of the classroom.
Monroe’s criminal justice majors learn about criminal procedure and practice, ethical issues in criminal justice, sociology and criminology, and the relationship between the criminal justice system and communities. Criminal justice majors can also apply what they learn in Monroe’s state-of-the art Law Enforcement Training Simulator (LETS).
Criminal justice majors interested in becoming law enforcement officers can also apply for Monroe’s Police Academy Scholars (PASS) Program, which is designed to prepare students to succeed both at the police academy and in their future careers.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Criminal Justice Degree?
At Monroe’s fully accredited School of Criminal and Social Justice, you can earn your associate degree in less than two years — just four semesters on campus.
Requirements for the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice:
- 60 credits
- 24 credits of major area courses
- 36 credits of general education and related courses
- Criminal justice majors can also choose a legal studies concentration in criminal law, family law, or fundamentals of criminal trial practice.
Learn more about the associate degree in criminal justice.
Criminal Investigation
Students will learn the theory and practice of criminal investigation as it exists today, as well as the ethical and appropriate use of investigative techniques. In addition to basic procedures including securing, documenting, and preserving physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and developing an investigative plan, criminal justice majors will learn the history and evolution of the investigative process. This course will examine investigative practices for all manner of criminal activity, including burglary, larceny, auto theft, and more.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the associate degree in criminal justice must fulfill the following admissions requirements:
- Candidates must possess either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
- Candidates must submit a completed application for admission and a personal statement or essay.
Criminal justice candidates also participate in a pre-admission interview.
Tuition and Financial Aid
How Much Does a Criminal Justice Degree Cost?
At Monroe College, we believe everyone deserves an affordable, quality education. We work very hard to secure the maximum possible financial aid for every student who applies, including scholarships, grants, loans, and potential opportunities for work-study employment. Learn more about Monroe’s affordable tuition and fees, including our manageable payment plans.
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
Once you complete your associate degree program, you’ll have the credentials you need to begin working in a variety of settings, including:
- Social service agencies
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Correctional facilities
- Community centers
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities
- Homeless shelters
- The court system
- Foster care agencies
- Domestic violence centers
- Crisis intervention centers
After receiving their human services degrees, Monroe graduates can find employment as:
- Substance abuse counselors
- Juvenile counselors
- Child life specialists
- Correctional counselors
- Rehabilitation counselors
- Social casework assistants
- Group residence workers
- Mental health aides
- Neighborhood outreach workers
- Assistant probation officers
Why choose human services as a career? The answer is simple: because human services can give you your choice of career.
Beyond the Classroom: Professional Opportunities in Human Services
With built-in practicum opportunities, Monroe’s human services curriculum provides students with valuable real-world experience. Human services majors get to apply their knowledge in professional settings, meet potential employers, and build a network of contacts even before they graduate.
Recent field placements for Monroe human services majors have included:
- The New York City Department of Probation
- The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle
- Compassionate Care Hospice
- The Children’s Village
- ACDP Sedgwick Cornerstone Community Center
- Success Outpatient Treatment Services
Monroe’s human services program is also a member of the National Organization of Human Services. NOHS can help students pay for their studies with numerous scholarship and grant opportunities. They also offer member students access to yearly conferences.
Monroe’s Human Services Club can help you form professional connections right here on campus, working with local agencies to tackle critical issues including domestic violence, poverty, and homelessness.
What Can You Do With a Human Services Degree?
Find Out For Yourself.
With an associate degree in human services, you can unlock your full potential, even as you help others discover theirs. It’s a rewarding path. It’s a stable one, too. And it’s yours to take at the Monroe School of Criminal and Social Justice.
Learn more about our associate degree program. Apply today
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