Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Vermont
When Vermont residents look at the field of criminal justice, they may think of administrators and legislators who make major decisions on policies, standards, and statutes. However, this industry is powered by the work of police officers, correctional officers, forensic scientists, legal assistants, and others who put in long hours every day.
With a criminal justice associate degree, you may be ready to pursue a variety of exciting career paths that benefit your state.
One of the best parts of working in criminal justice is the fact that this industry is always improving. For example, a recent Vermont study found that racial disparities exist in Vermont policing (Washington Times, 2016). As a result, Vermont legislators have enacted a bias-free policy that ensures fairness across the state.
Whether you are still comparing career options or you know what you want to do with your criminal justice education, find out more now by contacting Vermont criminal justice associate degree programs.
Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Vermont
To get as much as possible out of your education, think about what you want to do with your training. Criminal justice covers diverse areas like corrections, policing, law, security, and community service.
If you can narrow down your potential career paths to a few options, it may be easier for you to choose a program that is in line with your needs. Vermont schools, in addition to offering criminal justice degrees, have programs in paralegal studies and emergency management.
All of these options have different course requirements. Commonly required criminal justice courses are listed below:
- Law and Society
- Victimology
- Criminology
- Juvenile Justice
- Policing in America
- Corrections
- Criminal Procedure
- Criminology
- Current Issues in Criminal Justice
Internship requirements are set by each school. While some Vermont schools require students to complete an internship prior to graduation, others simply offer it as an option. When you contact local schools, you may want to ask about their internship program, possible worksites, and availability.
Practical experience in this industry can be a significant advantage when you begin looking for jobs. Even if you earn an online criminal justice degree, you may want to consider setting up a local internship to make good use of your training.
Across the board, Vermont degree completion requirements and expenses are close to what you may find in other New England states.
Below, find average credit hour expectations, time frames, and tuition rates:
- Timeframe: 2 to 3 years
- Credits: 63 to 72 credits
- Average tuition cost per year: $7,530 (College Board, 2016)
With financial aid, many students can minimize the amount of money they spend on tuition, books, and other expenses. While some programs are based on financial need, others are based on academic merit. The Vermont Police Association awards merit-based scholarships that are worth $1000 each.
What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in Vermont?
If you did your research prior to beginning your education, beginning your job search should be simple. You should know all about local employers, people to contact, and skill to bring up in interviews.
If you go into the field of animal control, you may be hired by a city or county to handle lost, wandering, or hurt animals. Animal control workers bring in an average income of $26,610 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Job openings in this field may swell 12% through 2022 (O*Net, 2016). Police patrol officers may experience a 13% jump in job openings (O*Net, 2016). Their average income in Vermont is $46,950 annually (BLS, 2016). Vermont security guards earn an average of $29,090 each year (BLS, 2016). O*Net anticipates a 10% increase in job openings between 2012 and 2022 (2016).
An associate in criminal justice may open many doors for you, both personally and professionally. Get more information by reaching out to schools listed below.
