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Hands-On Training

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Online And On-Campus Classes

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Committed Career Service Team

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Laptop For Every Student


Criminal Justice Degree In Las Vegas

Expand your career options and positively impact your community with our Criminal Justice degree. At Northwest Career College, you’ll gain practical skills through courses designed for a range of fields, from policing to social work. Taught by experienced professionals, our program offers a student-focused education that is both affordable and flexible.

Whether you’re starting or advancing your career, our blended format lets you study in a way that fits your lifestyle, making us a top choice for Criminal Justice education in Nevada.

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(485 reviews)
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"The Teachers Were Very Supportive."
"Throughout the pandemic transition to total online learning, Mrs. Kim and Miss Lisa, the Criminal Justice Program Chair, were very supportive and dedicated themselves to helping us and making the experience so much better."

Felicia Camilleri

Criminal Justice Graduate

Why Criminal Justice Program At
Northwest Career College?

  • Graduation cap gradient

    Graduate in as little as 18 months

    Northwest’s schedule allows you to attend criminal justice training, care for family and have a balanced life in Las Vegas while advancing towards your new career.

  • Financial Aid

    Financial aid is available to those who qualify

  • Hands on criminal justice icon

    Hands-on instruction in all facets of Criminal Justice

    You will visit courts, jails, mediation centers and more to experience first-hand the law in action which will make your criminal justice training applicable to the Las Vegas legal system.

  • Student Priority Icon

    Students are our priority

    Northwest’s student-centered philosophy means that you come first in our Criminal Justice School in Las Vegas.

  • seasoned business professionals icon

    Professional legal team instructing all classes

    As a Criminal Justice student, your understanding of the law and the justice system is critical. That’s why, at Northwest Career College, your Criminal Justice instructors are experienced Criminal Justice and legal professionals including attorneys, paralegals and seasoned specialists able not only to teach you the law and its application throughout the justice, legal and business community but also to guide you as to the many ways a Criminal Justice graduate integrates into a variety of Las Vegas legal and justice professions.

  • flexible business icon

    Flexible Criminal Justice class schedules that fit your life

    Northwest’s Criminal Justice Las Vegas offers campus & online criminal justice classes to accommodate your work and family schedule.

  • all course held icon

    Are all of the courses held on campus?

    Northwest Career College has developed a blended program for Criminal Justice. All criminal justice classes Las Vegas law classes are taught on campus by an attorney. Additionally, although general education courses are offered on-line, instructors are on-campus to review and support your learning experience.

  • Own laptop

    Work on your own laptop for exceptional training

    Each student is provided a laptop for easy internet and online class access.

  • committed career services icon

    Committed career services team on campus

    Northwest’s Career Services team works with you to help find the best employment opportunity utilizing your criminal justice degree in Las Vegas.

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Students participate in a hands-on activity in a criminal justice program, examining evidence at their desks.

Criminal Justice Program Mission and Goals

Mission: Our mission is to provide a rigorous and thorough education in criminal justice, preparing students for impactful careers in law enforcement, corrections, and the judicial system, with a strong emphasis on justice, integrity, and community service.

Goal 1: Demonstrate Understanding of Criminal Justice Administration and Policy.

  • Analyze and critique current criminal justice policies to evaluate their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of the administrative functions and leadership roles within criminal justice organizations.
  • Explore the responsibilities and challenges faced by leaders in the criminal justice field.

Goal 2: Enhance Communication and Interpersonal Skills.

  • Demonstrate practical oral and written communication skills by writing clear, concise reports and presentations and engaging in professional dialogue.
  • Utilize negotiation techniques to manage disputes and apply conflict resolution strategies in real-world scenarios.
  • Develop professional relationships and networks by building connections with peers, mentors, and industry professionals.

Goal 3: Prepare for Leadership Roles in Criminal Justice.

  • Learn about different leadership styles, decision-making processes, and how to inspire and motivate a team in the context of criminal justice.
  • Understand organizational behavior and management principles within criminal justice settings.
  • Learn how to set goals, develop action plans, and measure outcomes to ensure effective management and operations.
Students participate in a hands-on activity in a criminal justice program, examining evidence at their desks.

Criminal Justice
Program Accreditation

NCC is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Their contact information is listed below for applicants who wish to request additional information regarding the program’s accreditation.

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
7777 Leesburg Pike Suite 314 N.
Falls Church, Virginia 22043

Program Outcomes Data

July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
  • Retention Rates: 79%

The percentage of students who complete the program or remain enrolled at the end of the reporting period.

  • Job Placement Rates: 75%

The percentage of graduates placed in the field out of those who completed the program during the reporting period.

Detailed definitions of these rates can be found on our Outcomes Data page.

Putting Superior Training First

The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice is a program of study designed to qualify its graduates to pursue a career in criminal justice including employment at Nevada law firms, Police Organizations, Prison and Jails, Social Work, Bailiffs in local, state and federal courts, Private Detectives, Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators to name a few. Your Criminal Justice Las Vegas course work prepares graduates to think critically and act ethically within the local and national norms of professional conduct. In addition to the academic and hands-on training, Criminal Justice students travel through the valley for a variety of informative and interactive field trips. There's never a dull moment in the Criminal Justice Program.

Some Of What You Learn

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Introduction to the American Legal System
  • Correctional Systems and Theory
  • Delinquency Prevention
  • Criminal Investigation
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Tuition Information

Cost per Term (1-6) $4,498.00

More Information about the Profession

Criminal Justice Program Details

COURSE OUTLINE

  • CJP101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CJ202 Criminal Investigation
  • CJP102 Introduction to Criminal Procedure
  • CJ203 Probation and Parole
  • CJP103 Professional Writing for Criminal Justice
  • CJ204 Introduction to Homeland Security
  • CJP104 Criminal Justice Ethics
  • CJ211 Field Investigations
  • CJP105 Security Principles
  • ENG101 English Composition I
  • CJP106 Introduction to Policing
  • ENG102 English Composition II
  • CJP107 Introduction to Corrections
  • HIST101 American Government and the Nevada State Constitution
  • SAS101 Student Academic Success
  • MAT101 Basic College Mathematics
  • CJ201 Victimology
  • PSY101 Introduction to Psychology

Why Criminal Justice Training?

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What Will I Do?

As a Criminal Justice graduate, most importantly you are working with a team of legal professionals such as police officers, probation officers, secret service and many other organizations to help protect and serve citizens. The high degree of interaction between these types of professionals and citizens results in a great deal of personal satisfaction in helping people.

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High Demand Career

Employment for all areas of criminal justice graduates is expected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because there are so many potential career opportunities with a criminal justice degree, the growth rate varies based on your chosen profession.

Career Outlook
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A Great Life

A Criminal Justice graduate with two or more years of experience can expect an ~ $29 - $35 hourly wage according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and NCC Graduate Data.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What Is a Criminal Justice Degree?

Criminal justice degree allows students to study and explore topics relating to the various aspects of the criminal justice system. Students pursuing a degree in this field learn about law enforcement, criminal behavior, the American court system, and behavior and psychology.

Criminal Justice involves law enforcement, corrections, and other agencies, including the court system. Criminal Justice also focuses on the laws, rules, and policies that pertain to criminal matters and these agencies.

Students are encouraged to gain experience within this related field by seeking opportunities to observe and shadow professionals in the field, interning, and obtaining entry-level positions within the field. It is highly recommended for students to obtain their education by taking courses in pursuit of their Associate degree and employment in the field of Criminal Justice. Students are further encouraged to become involved in their community by volunteering in service-related activities.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department offers an internship opportunity to current college students where students may be assigned to Cold Cases, Missing Persons, Criminalistics, Sexual Assault, Property Crimes, Domestic Violence, and Detention Services, other areas. Other opportunities through the departments during or after students studies include sit-alongs, ride-alongs, and tours; interns may also be exposed to more aspects of the Department and its operations.

LVMPD College Internships and

Nevada Child Seekers

Additional opportunities for students with other agencies include working with Private Investigators and Security and include opportunities with Nevada Child Seekers both administratively and in the field.

Our Career Services Department is a wealth of information and support to our students during the process of preparing for employment and the application process. They have wonderful employment opportunities to offer our students and will begin connecting with our students during their seventh (7th) term of their studies.

No. To become a police officer, students must apply for the police academy.

Graduates of the Criminal Justice program can enter into Security, Corrections, Dispatch, and more! They will also earn their Private Investigator Work Card, pending a background check.

Yes! Northwest Career College has partnerships with several universities to help our students advance their Associate degree to a higher degree!

Criminal Justice graduates can gain employment in Security, Emergency Services Dispatch, General Dispatch, Policing, Corrections, and more.

Criminal Justice graduates will learn report writing, interview techniques, interrogation techniques, de-escalation techniques, and more.

Criminal Justice graduates can pursue employment as entry-level criminal justice professionals using their degrees. Graduates are also eligible to apply for certain state or federal law enforcement careers but will typically require additional training by that agency before starting their positions.

Our Criminal Justice Faculty members have either an Associate or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or a related field of study. Their collective experience includes security/law enforcement or related professions such as Dispatch, Police Officer, Chief of Police, Campus Security, Judge, and Litigation Specialist.

Yes. The dedicated Career Services team assists students with interviewing and professionalism training and provides job placement assistance to graduates.