Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Take the First Step in Your Career with Our Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Program
The criminal justice field is constantly evolving in response to new technology, social changes, and threats. Criminal justice professionals need to be equipped with up-to-date and cutting-edge training that emphasizes practical solutions to real-world problems. Criminal justice professionals help shape their communities, and so it is essential to have leaders who are rooted in a biblical worldview. You can start your journey to further your career and explore in-demand skills through Liberty University’s 100% online A.A. in Criminal Justice degree.
Through Liberty’s A.A. in Criminal Justice, you can gain the foundational skills needed to excel in many roles in the field of criminal justice. Liberty’s online criminal justice classes teach relevant, applicable content that reflects the real world, so you can work to become prepared for your career journey. Whether you are immersed in the field but want formal training or are just getting started, Liberty’s online A.A. in Criminal Justice can help equip you to excel with critical-thinking and leadership skills.
Our program is broad enough to apply to many fields, such as law enforcement, the court system, or social services. Through Liberty University’s biblical framework, you can approach job scenarios with an ethical mindset rooted in Christian principles. By obtaining your A.A. in Criminal Justice degree, you can further your education and become prepared to make a lasting impact on your community.
What Will You Study in Our Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?
- Learn the dynamics of the American Criminal Justice System.
- Understand the judicial process from start to finish.
- Become knowledgeable about the rules and regulations of criminal law.
- Engage in criminal justice writing and research.
The criminal justice field offers an abundance of different careers. Our online A.A. in Criminal Justice program is designed to give you foundational skills to cover a variety of tasks commonly seen on the job so you can be prepared for an exciting, evolving career in criminal justice. You may also be interested in exploring our bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Potential Career Options with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Administration
- Casework
- Corrections
- Homeland defense
- Juvenile justice
- Private/corporate security
- Probation and parole
- Social services
- State and local police and sheriff
- Victim advocacy
Highlights of the Associate in Criminal Justice Degree Online
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online AA in Criminal Justice degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
- Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- You can complete this online associate degree in criminal justice in as little as 60 credit hours.
Military Benefits
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/retirees
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Possible college credit for military training.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours

Available Online
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC