Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in Alaska
Updated October 7, 2026
Two Alaska universities currently offer a criminal justice bachelor’s: the University of Alaska Anchorage (BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (BA in Justice). Plan on four years of full-time study. Most Alaska police jobs don’t require the degree, but it’s one route into probation work and a requirement for FBI special agents.
Alaska is a small market for this degree. Two universities currently offer the program, a handful of large employers, and a hiring process at each agency that screens harder than any admissions office. Here’s where you can study, what the degree actually buys you in Alaska, and what the jobs pay as of the May 2025 federal wage data.
Where Can You Earn a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s in Alaska?
U.S. Department of Education data lists four Alaska institutions as having awarded a bachelor’s in a criminal-justice-family field. Current catalogs show two of them offering one today:
| Institution | City | Type | Current Bachelor’s Program(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage | Public, 4-year | BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks | Public, 4-year | BA in Justice and BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management (BSEM) |
The other two names in the federal data aren’t current bachelor’s options. The University of Alaska Southeast’s current catalog lists a 16-credit Law Enforcement Occupational Endorsement in Sitka, not a bachelor’s. Charter College’s own program documentation says it isn’t enrolling new or returning students in its criminal justice bachelor’s.
Programs change faster than federal data does. Confirm the current format (campus, online or hybrid), start dates and admission requirements with the school before you apply. If you live outside Anchorage or Fairbanks, ask specifically which courses can be completed remotely.
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.
How Long Does the Degree Take, and What Will You Study?
Plan on about four years of full-time study, which at most schools means roughly 120 credits. Part-time students working shifts often take six years or more, so build the timeline around your schedule, not the brochure’s.
The first two years are general education plus the foundations: how the justice system is structured, criminal law, and an introduction to policing and corrections. Upper-level work typically goes deeper into criminal procedure, juvenile justice, research methods, and ethics. If your program offers a concentration, choose it with a job in mind, because it shapes which internships you’ll land and which agencies will read your résumé first.
Ask each program what it offers on justice in rural Alaska. The state’s courts, troopers, and corrections system span huge distances, and coursework that reflects that reality will serve you better than a generic national curriculum.
Do You Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Work in Alaska Law Enforcement?
Here’s a misconception worth clearing up: most police jobs in Alaska don’t require a bachelor’s degree. The Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), a state body, sets minimum training and certification standards for Alaska police officers, with separate provisions for probation and parole officers, correctional officers, and village police officers.
Each agency sets testing, not the state. Anchorage Police Department applicants, for example, must pass APD’s required I/O Solutions entry-level testing and meet APSC and APD standards on criminal convictions, driving record, and controlled-substance use. Exam requirements vary by agency, so check the one you’re applying to.
Anchorage is hiring. The Anchorage Daily News reported in June 2024 that APD had 82 vacancies, 53 of them sworn officer positions, out of 630 authorized. The department has recruit classes posted for academies starting in December 2026 and July 2027.
So where can the degree make a difference? Three places:
- Probation and parole: A bachelor’s is one route to meeting Alaska’s Adult Probation Officer 1 qualifications, but qualifying experience, or a combination of education and experience, can substitute for the degree.
- Federal agencies: The FBI requires special agent applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree plus professional work experience, and an advanced degree reduces the experience you need. Requirements vary by agency and position.
- Advancement: A degree may help with advancement at some agencies, but promotion requirements and how employers weigh education vary.
Be honest with yourself about the job before you commit four years to it. You’ll work rotating shifts and holidays, respond to domestic violence calls and fatal crashes, and in much of the state you’ll do it a long way from backup. The degree doesn’t change any of that.
How Much Do Criminal Justice Jobs Pay in Alaska?
Alaska pays well above national medians across every core criminal justice job, per the May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data. Growth is a different story. ProjectionsCentral’s 2024–34 projections for Alaska show these jobs holding roughly flat, while still projecting openings each year.
The wage columns below are BLS figures. The growth and openings columns come from ProjectionsCentral.
| Occupation | Alaska Median Salary (May 2025) | National Median Salary (May 2025) | Alaska Job Growth (2024–34) | Alaska Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $114,940 | $93,790 | -1.7% | 10 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $99,130 | $76,210 | -0.4% | 110 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $77,000 | $66,270 | -1.5% | 40 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $71,360 | $58,940 | -0.6% | 110 |
A patrol officer in Alaska earns a median of about $23,000 more than the national figure, and a correctional officer about $12,400 more. Weigh that against what it costs to live where the job is. Detective positions commonly require prior law-enforcement experience and may be filled through promotion, depending on the agency. Alaska’s projections show about 10 openings a year.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Correctional Officers, Police and Detectives, and Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.
How Can You Pay for a Criminal Justice Degree in Alaska?
Start with the FAFSA, because federal grants and the University of Alaska’s own aid both key off it. Then look at Alaska groups with ties to the field. Women Police of Alaska has awarded scholarships to criminal justice students. Check its site for eligibility and deadlines before you count on the money.
Know what one well-known Alaska program is not. The Children’s Justice Act Task Force offers training scholarships, not tuition aid. They’re for people already active on a multidisciplinary team (MDT) addressing child abuse in Alaska, and they cover qualifying training events. If your career lands you on one of those teams, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges in Alaska offer a criminal justice bachelor’s degree?
Two currently list one: the University of Alaska Anchorage (BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (BA in Justice, plus a BSEM in Homeland Security and Emergency Management). Federal education data lists four Alaska institutions as having awarded a criminal-justice-family bachelor’s, but the University of Alaska Southeast and Charter College don’t show one currently. Confirm details with the school before you apply.
Do I need a degree to become a police officer in Alaska?
Usually not. Alaska police agencies run their own testing and background checks under minimum standards set by the Alaska Police Standards Council, and a degree isn’t the deciding factor for most entry-level patrol jobs. It’s one route into probation work and is required for FBI special agents.
How much do police officers make in Alaska?
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Alaska earned a median of $99,130 as of the May 2025 BLS data, compared with $76,210 nationally. Correctional officers earned a median of $71,360.
Can I earn a criminal justice bachelor’s online in Alaska?
Possibly, depending on the school and the year. Ask each program which courses and degree tracks can be completed remotely, especially if you live outside Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Key Takeaways
- Two current programs: UAA’s BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice and UAF’s BA in Justice. Federal data lists four Alaska institutions, but two no longer show a current bachelor’s.
- Four years full time: Plan on roughly 120 credits, and longer if you’re working shifts while you study.
- The degree isn’t the gate for most police jobs: Agency testing and APSC standards are. The bachelor’s is one route into probation work and is required for FBI special agents.
- Alaska pays above national medians: Patrol officers earned a median of $99,130 in May 2025 (BLS), but ProjectionsCentral shows job growth through 2034 holding roughly flat.
Worried about the cost? File the FAFSA and work through the Alaska awards above before you look at private loans. Then come back to the hiring steps when you know what you can afford.
Looking for a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s in Another State?
Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.