Criminal Justice

Explore the Depths of Criminal Justice for a Dynamic Career Path

Group of students talking to an officer in a classroom

Program Overview

Are you driven by a desire to help others, protect the community, and make a positive impact in the criminal justice system? College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Criminal Justice program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for a fulfilling career in this vital field. This comprehensive program covers legal studies, sociology, political science, psychology, arrest procedures, and search and seizure, preparing you for various roles in law enforcement, court administration, victim services, and corrections.

With a focus on real-world applications, this program provides you with a deep understanding of criminal justice system practices and processes. Whether you plan to transfer to a four-year institution or begin a career immediately, our program offers flexibility with various course formats and provides the foundational education required for success in the field.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Arts

Fully Online

Time to Complete

2 years

Students sitting at tables in a classroom

Learning Opportunities

  • Experienced Instructors: Learn from qualified instructors with real-world experience, dedicated to your success.
  • Flexible Learning Formats: Choose from on-campus, fully-remote, hybrid, and online courses to suit your schedule and learning preferences.
  • Practical Understanding of Criminal Justice: Gain an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system through diverse coursework and site visits.
  • Networking & Professional Development: Connect with professionals in the field through guest speakers, career interviews, and networking events.
  • Critical Skills Development: Develop critical thinking, research, and analysis methods, along with diversity awareness and a global perspective on crime and justice.
  • Transfer On: Take your CWI credits to four-year institutions to further your education and career opportunities including Boise State University and Lewis-Clark State College.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Criminal Justice – Associate of Arts Degree

2

YEARS

AA

Available Fully Online

Degree Requirements
Three people huddling at a desk conversing

Career Opportunities

  • Postsecondary Teachers

    1434

    Annual Openings*

    $35.69

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,235

    Annual Median Salary

    45.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

    All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.

    94

    Annual Openings*

    $18.08

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $37,606

    Annual Median Salary

    53.45%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

    Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

    77

    Annual Openings*

    $39.42

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $81,994

    Annual Median Salary

    18.76%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

    38

    Annual Openings*

    $26.70

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $55,536

    Annual Median Salary

    10.11%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

Admissions

Step 1

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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News

Tour provides students the opportunity to see first-hand how juveniles are living, learning, and working toward release and reintegration into the community.

Read more about Criminal Justice Students Tour Juvenile Corrections Facility

CWI’s annual giving tree collects over 600 gifts for children in need in the Treasure Valley.

Read more about Giving Tree Brings Holiday Cheer

Unwrapped gifts will be collected on campus through Dec. 9 to help bring holiday cheer to children in the Treasure Valley.

Read more about 13th-Annual Giving Tree

Congratulations to Senior Coordinator of Course and Curriculum Management, Samantha Grapes, named CWI’s Staff of the Month for September 2021.

Read more about Grapes Named September Staff of the Month

Brighten the holiday season for children in the Treasure Valley by donating gifts to the College’s annual Giving Tree.    

Read more about Giving Tree Gathers Gifts for Foster Children

CWI’s Criminal Justice program is excited to welcome Dr. Greg Hampikian, founder and director of the Idaho Innocence Project.

Read more about Criminal Justice Program Welcomes Dr. Greg Hampikian

Kevin Platts has been named the new Director of Public Safety Programs at College of Western Idaho.

Read more about Kevin Platts to Lead Public Safety Programs at the College

McKenzie Wood has been selected as College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for March 2018.

Read more about Faculty of Distinction—March 2018

College of Western Idaho (CWI) has been sharing stories of success from several of this year’s graduates as we countdown to the 2017 commencement ceremony. The road traveled by students to arrive at...

Read more about Celebrating Student Success
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