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Criminal Justice

Barton’s Criminal Justice Program provides you a well-rounded education allowing you to explore different Criminal Justice careers. Ready to get started? Request a Program Brochure

Now Online!

Barton Criminal Justice is NOW Available Fully Online! Begin a career in Criminal Justice and enjoy:

  • Competitive wages!
  • Amazing retirement options!
  • A meaningful and important vocation!

Barton Benefits

Why Barton’s Criminal Justice Program?

  • Barton provides you experience and skills to enter the job market or continue your education at a four-year institution.
  • Education makes a difference! Most federal and state agencies require a college degree to be hired and/or be promoted.  Many local agencies now require higher educational standards.
  • Individuals with a degree start at a higher wage than those without and will move up the ladder more quickly.

Instruction

Barton’s Instructor/Coordinator has over 30 years' experience teaching Criminal Justice, Corrections, Investigations and Juvenile Delinquency.

Real-World Opportunities

  • Opportunities to accompany local county and police officers on citizen ride-alongs.
  • Internship opportunities at police departments, detention facilities, and community corrections.
  • Field experience with simulated crime scenes, accident investigations, routine traffic stops, and computer forensics.

    

What are Barton Criminal Justice graduates doing?

Barton criminal justice graduates are working with the Kansas Highway Patrol, County and Municipal Police Departments.  Other opportunities:  court systems, criminal law, police-community relations, ethics, juvenile justice, probation, parole, law, evidence and criminology.

Degree Maps
Degree Maps

The Criminal Justice Program can provide students with the necessary academic skills to achieve a rewarding career as a police officer, deputy sheriff, correctional officer, highway patrol trooper, or one of the other many exciting entry level positions in the criminal justice system.

All criminal justice agencies look for individuals with good academic skills, personal integrity, and a well-adjusted personality. Those agencies generally will not consider individuals for employment with criminal arrests and/or convictions, poor driving records, and/or alcohol-related problems.

Certificate
Criminal Justice (46 hours - certificate guide)

Associate in Applied Science Degree 
This curriculum is designed for you if you are interested in a two-year Occupational degree and then plan to go to work as a Police Officer.
Criminal Justice (67 hours -  degree guide) 

Associate in Arts Degree
Criminal Justice (60 hours - degree guide)

View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).

Occupational Outlook
Occupational Outlook
  • Career opportunities and growth potential is expected to grow as fast as other occupations
    • In most local police departments, opportunities will be excellent for qualified individuals
    • State and federal opportunities continue to be competitive with education and training emphasized
  • Earnings vary according to location, specialty of training, and agency
    • Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers can expect to earn between $35,600 and $59,880 annually
    • Detectives and Criminal Investigators can expect to earn between $43,920 and $76,350 annually
    • State and Federal agencies pay scale is varied, but one can expect to earn over $40,000 annually

Source: 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook​​​​​​