Scholarship Available Now
Hands-On Training
Online And On-Campus Classes
Committed Career Service Team
Laptop For Every Student
What Criminal Justice Program At NCC Offers You
NCC’s Criminal Justice associate degree program builds your understanding of the U.S. legal and justice system while developing both technical and interpersonal skills. Our experienced instructors, including attorneys and justice professionals, guide you through criminal law, investigation methods, ethics, criminal procedure, report writing, policing, corrections, and community-based justice practices.
Criminal justice training at NCC leads to a supervised externship with a criminal justice agency in Las Vegas. This is where you apply what you learned in class, work with seasoned professionals, and participate in yield operations, including investigations and patrols. Many students express that this experience builds their confidence and readiness for their first role.
The criminal justice course curriculum also prepares you thoroughly for entry-level certifications, ensuring you complete with the credentials employers seek. Throughout the program, our Career Services team supports you with resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement. Graduates from this program are now working in law enforcement agencies, correction facilities, and security roles across Nevada.
Sources
- *1 According to the Median Annual Salary Report for Criminal Justice at Indeed
- *2 Find the detailed definitions of the Job Placement Rate and Retention Rate on our Annual Outcomes Data page.
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.
"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."
Why Choose The Criminal Justice Program
At NCC?
Hands-On Learning
You will learn through practical experience through field trips to local courts, where you will observe live proceedings, interact with justice professionals, and apply classroom concepts like evidence handling and case analysis in authentic settings.
Career Services
You will have full access to our on-campus career services department that provides resume building, interview coaching, job placement assistance, and networking events specifically geared toward criminal justice graduates. Complemented by a complimentary high-performance laptop for every student to access online materials, simulations, and a job portal anytime.
Faster Completion
Our criminal justice training allows you to earn your associate degree in only 18 months, offering a blended format (on-campus night classes and online classes) that lets you balance studies with work, family, or other commitments while gaining essential knowledge in criminal law, procedures, and ethics without unnecessary delays.
Financial Support
Our students can access generous financial aid packages, including grants, scholarships, and payment plans, made to reduce barriers to entry, ensuring that the high-quality education in criminal justice is complete with modern resources and expert guidance.
Expert Instructors
The criminal justice classes are led by an elite team of licensed attorneys, seasoned paralegals, former law enforcement officers, and justice system veterans who provide insider perspectives on topics like constitutional law, criminal investigations, multicultural policing, and ethical dilemmas, enriching your education with real-case studies and practical simulations.
Student Priority
At NCC, students drive every decision in a truly student-centered environment, where small class sizes, personalized mentoring from dedicated instructors, and a supportive campus culture ensure your individual goals in criminal justice are prioritized, promoting not just academic success but also professional growth.
Who Hires Northwest Career College Graduates?
Leading law enforcement agencies, correction facilities, and public safety organizations—especially in Nevada—consistently hire our Criminal Justice graduates.
What You Will Learn As A Criminal Justice Student At NCC
Discover the basics of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. You will analyze crime, legal processes, and careers in justice.
- Court systems (state vs. federal)
- Crime analysis & measurement
- Criminal law fundamentals
- Criminal trial process
- Criminology theories (classical, neoclassical, social process)
- Law enforcement roles & ethics
Apply constitutional law to justice cases. You will brief Supreme Court decisions and procedural elements.
- Constitutional law analysis (Supreme Court cases)
- Court systems & procedures
- Crime classification & elements (actus reus, mens rea)
- Criminal defenses
- Pretrial & trial processes
- Sentencing models
Produce accurate reports and legal docs. You will use terminology and analysis for clear justice communication.
- Clear, concise communication
- Criminal justice terminology
- Critical thinking & legal analysis
- Legal writing & documentation
- Memo & court document preparation
- Professional report writing
Resolve dilemmas with moral frameworks. You will evaluate ethics in policing, courts, and corrections.
- Courtroom ethics
- Critical thinking
- Ethical decision-making
- Ethical frameworks (virtue ethics, formalism, utilitarianism)
- Moral reasoning
- Police ethics
Manage risks in public and private sectors. You will assess threats and apply prevention strategies.
- Cybersecurity fundamentals
- Legal & ethical issues in security
- Public vs. private security systems
- Risk assessment & crime prevention
- Security operations & management
- Security technology & surveillance
Examine strategies and community policing. You will study investigations and law enforcement ethics.
- Community policing strategies
- Crime prevention
- Criminal investigation fundamentals
- Law enforcement roles & structure
- Police ethics & conduct
- Technology in law enforcement
Understand prison, probation, and policies. You will cover inmate rights and sentencing operations.
- Corrections systems & roles
- Inmate rights & legal protections
- Policy analysis
- Prison & jail operations
- Probation & parole
- Sentencing processes
Analyze victims roles and rights in justice. You will explore impacts, advocacy, and restorative practices.
- Advocacy & victim support strategies
- Impact of victimization (emotional, physical, financial)
- Restorative justice principles
- Victim-offender relationship analysis
- Victimology foundations
- Victims’ rights & legal protections
Process crime scenes and gather evidence. You will apply search laws and interview methods.
- Case preparation for court
- Crime scene management & evidence handling
- Criminal investigation procedures
- Forensic awareness & crime lab processes
- Interviewing & interrogation techniques
- Search & seizure laws
Supervise offenders for rehabilitation. You will manage cases na reduce recidivism.
- Case management & classification
- Community corrections strategies
- Offender supervision techniques
- Presentence investigation (PSI) reports
- Probation & parole processes
- Rehabilitation & recidivism reduction
Counter terrorism and national threats. You will assess risks and coordinate security responses.
- Border security & immigration enforcement
- Cybersecurity & cyberterrorism awareness
- Homeland security structure & mission
- Intelligence analysis & information gathering
- Terrorism types, causes & prevention strategies
- Threat assessment & risk management
Build real-world skills in justice roles. You will practice communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
- Networking & relationship building
- Problem-solving & critical thinking
- Professional communication
- Real-world industry experience
- Team collaboration
- Workplace professionalism & adaptability
Criminal Justice Career Opportunities
Tuition Information
| Cost per Term (1-6) | $4,665.00 |
More Information about the Profession
- For information about Financial Aid at Northwest Career College, please visit our Financial Aid page located under Admission & Aid tab.
- For more information about the Criminal Justice profession Click Here to review the Summary Report for Criminal Justice at O*Net Online.
Criminal Justice Program Requirements
The primary requirements for enrollment in the Criminal Justice program are:
High School Completion
Hands-on training starts on your first day! Learn to use industry-standard techniques like criminal investigations, enhance your professional communication and negotiation skills, and more!
U.S. Government-Issued Photo ID
We need a U.S. government-issued photo ID to verify your identity. You must be at least 18 years old. Written consent from a parent or guardian is needed to enroll if you’re under 18.
Social Security Card
Provide your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (TIN) to confirm eligibility to study and work in the U.S.
Find The Best Criminal Justice School For You In Clark County
Criminal justice is the system that enforces laws, responds to crime, and delivers justice when offenses occur. It includes three main parts: law enforcement (police and investigators), the courts (judges, prosecutors, and lawyers), and corrections (prisons, probation, and rehabilitation programs). Criminal justice programs prepare you for careers in law enforcement, public safety, the courts, and corrections by teaching how laws are applied, rights are protected, and fairness is maintained throughout the legal process.
An associate degree in criminal justice usually takes about 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study, while a bachelor’s degree takes around 3.5 to 4 years for most students. Accelerated or online bachelor’s programs sometimes shorten the time to about 18 to 24 months, and a master’s degree in criminal justice generally adds another 1 to 2 years, depending on the program format and enrollment pace.
Yes, you can transfer your credits to another school as NCC has partnerships with several universities to help our Criminal Justice Associate degree students smooth credit transfer and advance to a bachelor’s or higher degree, focusing on your foundational skills in criminal investigations, legal procedures, ethics, and public safety for further career growth in law enforcement, corrections, and judicial roles.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department offers valuable internships for current college students, assigning them to areas like Cold Cases, Missing Persons, Criminalistics, Sexual Assault, Property Crimes, Domestic Violence, and Detention Services, with additional tours providing exposure to departmental operations. Other opportunities include roles with Private Investigators, Security Firms, and Nevada Child Seekers, both administratively and in the field.
The best way to work in Criminal Justice in Las Vegas is to gain hands-on experience by observing and shadowing professionals, securing internships, such as those at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), in areas such as cold cases, sexual assault, and detention services, and landing entry-level positions. Key steps include obtaining a relevant degree (e.g., from Northwest Career College), completing externships, and meeting POST standards.
The difference between Criminology and Criminal Justice is their focus; Criminology focuses on the “why” behind crime, including the causes, patterns, and social factors that lead people to offend, and uses research and theory to explain and prevent criminal behavior. Criminal justice focuses on the “how” behind crime, which includes examining how law enforcement, courts, and corrections respond to crime, enforce laws, and manage the justice system in practice.
With an associate degree in Criminal Justice, you can pursue entry-level roles such as police officer or corrections recruit with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, juvenile probation officer with Clark County, security shift manager or officer at MGM Resorts or the Las Vegas Convention Authority, crisis response advocate or victim services specialist, criminal investigator or paralegal with federal agencies, dispatch operator, private security professional, and asset protection coordinator.
Yes, NCC’s dedicated Career Services Department provides comprehensive support to Criminal Justice students starting in their seventh (7th) term, offering job search guidance, resume building, interview preparation, networking events, and direct connection to employment opportunities.
Yes, an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice is worth it, as you can graduate in 18 months through flexible blended formats with financial aid, hands-on field trips to courts and jails, expert instruction from attorneys and law enforcement pros, and robust career services including resume guidance, job placement, and a free laptop. The program will teach you vital skills including investigations, ethics, de-escalation, and community policing for high-demand roles such as corrections recruit, crisis advocate, criminal investigator, and more.
