Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in Wyoming

Updated October 1, 2026

Wyoming offers associate degrees in criminal justice at seven in-state community colleges, typically about two years full-time. Graduates commonly move into corrections, patrol support, or private security, where Wyoming’s Protective Service Occupations group carries a median wage of $55,390 a year (BLS, May 2025). A bachelor’s often unlocks further advancement.

Wyoming’s criminal justice system runs smaller than most, but it still needs trained people in its jails, patrol cars, and security posts. An associate degree is one relatively short college pathway into the field, and most of the state’s community colleges offer one. Here’s what the programs cost, who teaches them, and where the degree can actually take you.

Featured Programs:

What Wyoming’s Associate Programs Cost and Require

Credit requirements and costs vary by school. A few confirmed examples:

Program length: About two years full-time. Casper College’s associate degree runs 60 credits over two years, and Central Wyoming College’s runs 60 to 61. Exact length varies by school.
Credits: Credit counts cluster close to 60, though totals vary by program. Confirm the current credit count with the program you’re considering.
Tuition: In-state tuition runs roughly $154 to $161 per credit hour for the 2026-27 year (Casper College: $154 per credit; Laramie County Community College: $160.75), putting a 60-credit program at roughly $9,200 to $9,650 in tuition. Confirm the current rate with the school you’re applying to.

Scholarships specific to this field can close some of that gap. Local and federal organizations fund criminal justice scholarships for associate-level students, and the Wyoming Peace Officers Association runs one specifically for Wyoming students.

Some Wyoming programs branch beyond general criminal justice into corrections, policing, forensic science, or homeland security. If homeland security is the track you want, expect courses like:

Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Homeland Security and First Responders
Homeland Security Law
Politics and Terrorism
School Safety
Religion, Extremism and Violence
Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Where to Study: Associate Programs in Wyoming

Seven Wyoming institutions report an associate-level program in criminal justice or a closely related protective-service field, per federal education data: all public, in-state community colleges. Not every program listed is a criminal-justice concentration specifically; some are legal support, fire protection, homeland security, or general protective-service tracks reported under the same federal CIP family.

Institution	City	Control	CJ-Family Field(s) Reported
Casper College	Casper	Public	Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services, Fire Protection
Central Wyoming College	Riverton	Public	Criminal Justice, Fire Protection
Eastern Wyoming College	Torrington	Public	Criminal Justice
Laramie County Community College	Cheyenne	Public	Criminal Justice, Legal Support Services, Fire Protection, Homeland Security, Other Protective Services
Northern Wyoming Community College District	Sheridan	Public	Criminal Justice
Northwest College	Powell	Public	Criminal Justice
Western Wyoming Community College	Rock Springs	Public	Criminal Justice

School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed October 2026. Program offerings and emphasis vary by campus, so confirm the current curriculum, format, and admission requirements directly with each school before applying.

What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Wyoming?

An associate degree opens doors into corrections, patrol support roles, and private security work across the state. Wyoming’s county jails and the state corrections system both hire at this education level.

Across all occupations in Wyoming’s Protective Service Occupations group, the BLS reports a median wage of $55,390 a year, per May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the state. That figure blends entry-level and veteran pay across the group, so where you land depends heavily on the specific agency, shift, and years on the job.

Law-enforcement and corrections positions may require POST certification or other state-mandated training, along with agency-specific background, fitness, testing, and academy requirements. Check the requirements for the specific Wyoming agency and position.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Detectives, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs, and Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an associate degree in criminal justice take in Wyoming?

Most Wyoming community college programs run about two years full-time. Casper College’s associate runs 60 credits over two years, and Central Wyoming College’s runs 60 to 61, though exact length and credit totals vary by school and how many transfer credits you bring in.

Can an associate degree get me hired as a police officer or corrections officer in Wyoming?

Minimum education and hiring requirements vary by agency and position. Some Wyoming positions accept applicants with a high school diploma or GED, while agencies may require additional education, experience, testing, or certification. An associate degree may satisfy or strengthen education qualifications for some positions, depending on the agency. You’ll still need to clear each agency’s own background investigation, fitness testing, and any required academy or POST certification.

Is a bachelor’s degree worth it after the associate?

It depends on where you want to go. Some supervisory, specialized, and federal positions require or prefer a bachelor’s degree, and requirements vary by employer and position. If you’re aiming for entry-level patrol or corrections work, the associate degree alone is often enough to get hired.

What’s the difference between a criminal justice associate degree and a homeland security concentration?

A general criminal justice associate covers policing, corrections, and the court system broadly. A homeland security concentration, where offered, narrows into terrorism response, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency coordination, which is useful if you’re targeting federal agencies or emergency management roles specifically.

Key Takeaways

Seven in-state options – Wyoming community colleges report an associate program in criminal justice or a closely related protective-service field, all public, per federal education data.
Cost and timeline – About two years full-time, roughly 60 credits at the two confirmed schools, and $154 to $161 per credit hour for 2026-27. Confirm current numbers with the school.
Pay expectations – Wyoming’s Protective Service Occupations group medians at $55,390 a year (BLS, May 2025); exact pay depends on the specific job and agency.
Requirements vary by agency – Background checks, fitness testing, academy training, and POST certification requirements differ by position and employer. Check with the specific agency you’re targeting.

If paying for the degree is the sticking point, start with the criminal justice scholarships guide before you look at loans. It covers what’s available specifically for students in this field.

Looking for an Associate Degree Program in Another State?

Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice.