Associate Degree

Criminal Justice

An affordable path to prepare for a career in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. This associate’s program transfers to a bachelor’s degree.

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2024 Schedule

Part of the overall mission of Georgia Military College is to guide students in their attainment of a two year degree and to develop the skills necessary to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.  GMC’s Criminal Justice programs have the same mission with respect to the criminal justice field. The criminal justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. The criminal justice program can also serve as building the groundwork for students pursuing training in other related areas such as social work. Students within the criminal justice program will not only learn the basic components of the criminal justice system, but will also apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing, and controlling a variety of criminal justice agencies associated with police, courts and corrections. While actively learning about the criminal justice system, the criminal justice program at GMC provides students with the courses needed to fulfill the requirements of the core curriculum and degree requirements for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Applied Science degrees in criminal justice. GMC’s Criminal Justice program provides a holistic approach to educating students by not only providing students with a well-rounded skill and knowledgebase, but also emphasizing character education and critical thinking.

Click Here for the Course Catalog information

Police and Detectives
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 67,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 8,100 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Forensic Science Technicians
Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

What You Will Learn

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Students will be able to critically evaluate the various theories in criminal justice.

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Students will be able to analyze aspects of the criminal justice system.

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Students will be able to design a literature review in preparation of advanced learning.

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Students will be able to debate contemporary issues as they relate to the criminal justice system.

In-Class or Online

Whether you want to attend classes online, or at our historic Milledgeville campus, or at any of our eleven satellite locations, we have a convenient option just for you.

Leadership. Character. Civility.

Attending GMC is about more than just earning a degree. We prepare our graduates to stand out in the world by teaching leadership skills, character education, and ethics. GMC grads have the grit and determination to be successful in an ever-changing job market.

Why pay more for the same degree?

Thanks to our Transfer Agreements, GMC students can take their college credits with them to dozens of other colleges and universities. Why pay more for core curriculum when you take the same accredited courses at GMC for less, and then transfer to the four-year college of your choice? Here’s a cost comparison:

“I will finally be graduating with my Bachelors of Supervision and Management this month. I would not have been able to achieve this milestone without the guidance of those at GMC. I will forever be grateful for all the things I have learned during my time here.”

— Rebecca Dempsey, Graduate

Recent Grads

“I knew that this was the school that I needed to take my academic journey to the next level! Throughout my time here at Georgia Military College, I had by far some of the best experiences! GMC opened so many doors for me during my time here and molded me into a person of more defined character”

– Shemar Bryant

“I am a mom of 3 kids all under the age of 10. So on top of being a mom and wife, I also work at a children’s hospital in the PICU. I am a wife to an army veteran , who also serves in the National guard, so a lot of the time I am doing the mom thing alone . I went to Georgia Military college to get my pre reqs for nursing school done. It hasn’t been easy, and the teachers have always had my best interest and wanted me to succeed. There hasn’t been one time where I had a teacher who didn’t care. I am currently applying for nursing schools in my area to get my RN BSN. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Georgia Military College.”

– Courtney Morton

“I enrolled with Georgia Military College in the winter 2021 term after graduating from high school in the fall of 2020. GMC has really furthered my education especially in Kinesiology and Physical Therapy. Without the help of GMC officials and staff, I do not think I would be able to graduate as early as I am today. After graduating from GMC on May 28th, I plan to enroll in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program (PTA) at Albany State University (ASU) to earn my PTA license. In conclusion, Georgia Military College has really excelled me to greater heights educationally and socially.”

– Kemuel Terry

Concentration Courses

CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 5qh

This course is a general overview of the American criminal justice system. Each of the major components (police, courts, and corrections) will be examined.

CRJ 208 Criminal Law

This course examines substantive criminal law and its procedures for implementation. Emphasis will be given to historical developments, contemporary forms of criminal definitions and Supreme Court decisions that govern criminal procedures.

Hiring Partners

GMC is fortunate to have partnerships with a wide range of businesses who hire our graduates. Here are a few of our partners:

Start when you're ready
Choose an upcoming start date:

Jun 03, 2024

Aug 12, 2024

Oct 16, 2024

Jan 08, 2025

Jun 03, 2024

Aug 12, 2024

Oct 16, 2024

Jan 08, 2025

Register by: Jun 02, 2024
Register by: Aug 11, 2024
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Register by: Jan 07, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

About This Program


Part of the overall mission of Georgia Military College is to guide students in their attainment of a two year degree and to develop the skills necessary to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. GMC’s Criminal Justice programs have the same mission with respect to the criminal justice field. The criminal justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. The criminal justice program can also serve as building the groundwork for students pursuing training in other related areas such as social work. Students within the criminal justice program will not only learn the basic components of the criminal justice system, but will also apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing, and controlling a variety of criminal justice agencies associated with police, courts and corrections. While actively learning about the criminal justice system, the criminal justice program at GMC provides students with the courses needed to fulfill the requirements of the core curriculum and degree requirements for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Applied Science degrees in criminal justice. GMC’s Criminal Justice program provides a holistic approach to educating students by not only providing students with a well-rounded skill and knowledge base, but also emphasizing character education and critical thinking.

Degree Program Coordinator


Jonathan Love, jmlove@gmc.edu

Program Benefits


This degree will help students gain the skills to compete effectively in the criminal justice profession. While for some entry level positions a degree is not required, given the job market, having an associate degree makes a qualified candidate more competitive. Moreover, this degree prepares students to transfer to four year programs. Most associate degree graduates are competitive for entry-level positions in corrections, private and corporate security, and office support for law enforcement departments. Bachelor degree graduates may start in similar positions, but will be prepared to later assume supervisory or management responsibilities. Students who are interested in graduate school or law school will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Cost for the Degree


Average Cost for this Degree:
$8,280

Why choose GMC?

Explore GMC’s flexible course formats to craft the college experience that works best for you.

2017

Best Community Colleges in Georgia - Universities.com
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9th

Best Community College - CNN Money
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7th

Fastest Growing Community College - Community College Week
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Top 25

Best Community Colleges - CollegeAtlas.Org
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Academic Excellence.
Since 1879.

We’ve been educating bright minds for well over a century. That’s why a degree from GMC means more than just a great education. It means success.