Field of Interest
If you’ve always been interested in the criminal justice system, criminology, or forensic science, consider enrolling in the Administration of Justice program. This program will prepare you for a career in crime scene investigation, corrections, law enforcement, homeland security, and public safety.
The program offers a comprehensive education in the study of the criminal justice process, including law enforcement, courts, probation, parole, security, and criminology. You will also learn community policing, evidence technology, how the principles of criminal justice laws have evolved, and so much more.
Make it happen today with the Administration of Justice Program!
The Right Pathway for You
MCC offers Certificates of Completion, Associate Degrees and Transfer Degrees for this program. Your interests and goals will guide you in selecting the pathway that is ideal for you. You may find a combination of certificates, degrees or transfer options is the fastest way to realize your dreams.
Certificates
The knowledge and skills acquired while earning a Certificate of Completion (CCL) can help launch you into a new career or energize your current job. Generally requiring fewer credit hours than degrees or transfer programs, a CCL may be your best first step into higher education.
A list of available certificates offered in the Administration of Justice program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Administration of Justice |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Corrections |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Crime Scene Investigation |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Fingerprint Identification and Photography |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Law Enforcement |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Legal Studies |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Victimology |
Pathway Map |
Associate Degrees
MCC’s associate degrees enhance your resume and prepare you to enter the workforce with an advantage. Whether you are interested in simply completing basic, required college courses or specializing in a specific area, there’s a degree for you.
A list of available associate degrees offered in the Administration of Justice program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Applied Science |
AAS |
Administration of Justice Studies |
Pathway Map |
Associate in Applied Science |
AAS |
Forensic Science |
Pathway Map |
University Transfer Degree
Want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a university? Save money by starting at MCC in manageable, small classes taught by renowned faculty. Our transfer pathways with Arizona universities help you achieve two goals: completing an associate’s degree while also staying on track to earn a bachelor’s degree at your transfer destination. MCC’s university partnerships throughout the nation assure your seamless transition toward a four-year degree.
A list of available transfer degrees offered in the Administration of Justice program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Arts |
AA |
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Criminal Justice |
Pathway Map |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a degree or certificate within the Administration of Justice program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages*. Some occupations may require additional education or training. You can click on any occupation to view more detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Maintain order in courts of law.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$20.31
Annual Median Wage
$42,251
Number of People Employed
127
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.3%
Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$28.93
Annual Median Wage
$60,188
Number of People Employed
7,773
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.6%
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$23.59
Annual Median Wage
$49,085
Number of People Employed
7,018
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 0.4%
Investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal, state, or local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$43.79
Annual Median Wage
$91,087
Number of People Employed
1,304
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.1%
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$46.91
Annual Median Wage
$97,584
Number of People Employed
1,239
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.7%
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$24.54
Annual Median Wage
$51,044
Number of People Employed
173
4-Year Employment Growth
Decrease by -1.2%
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$31.26
Annual Median Wage
$65,039
Number of People Employed
563
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 9.9%
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$46.91
Annual Median Wage
$97,584
Number of People Employed
1,239
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.7%
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$39.55
Annual Median Wage
$82,278
Number of People Employed
369
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.1%
Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$20.62
Annual Median Wage
$42,898
Number of People Employed
734
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 4.1%
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$58.79
Annual Median Wage
$122,300
Number of People Employed
10,418
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 12.3%
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$21.18
Annual Median Wage
$44,065
Number of People Employed
2,157
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 18.7%
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$24.64
Annual Median Wage
$51,260
Number of People Employed
6,299
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 24.2%
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$39.08
Annual Median Wage
$81,289
Number of People Employed
7,697
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 9.0%
Conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$43.79
Annual Median Wage
$91,087
Number of People Employed
1,304
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.1%
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Typical Education Level
an Associate degree
Hourly Median Wage
$46.91
Annual Median Wage
$97,584
Number of People Employed
1,239
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.7%
Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$36.18
Annual Median Wage
$75,273
Number of People Employed
7,008
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 11.3%
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$24.83
Annual Median Wage
$51,653
Number of People Employed
987
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.8%
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$31.24
Annual Median Wage
$64,983
Annual Job Openings
2,698
Number of People Employed
26,076
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.2%
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$29.88
Annual Median Wage
$62,160
Number of People Employed
1,221
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.6%
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$15.61
Annual Median Wage
$32,474
Annual Job Openings
2,790
Number of People Employed
18,983
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 4.7%
Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$37.15
Annual Median Wage
$77,278
Number of People Employed
336
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 23.5%
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$24.64
Annual Median Wage
$51,260
Number of People Employed
6,299
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 24.2%
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$51.82
Annual Median Wage
$107,789
Number of People Employed
1,230
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 9.5%
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$40.61
Annual Median Wage
$84,473
Number of People Employed
54
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.4%
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Financial Aid
You can get a high-quality, affordable education. MCC’s low tuition rates and various financial aid opportunities make it possible. Explore federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, student loans, and other options today.
Connect with an Advisor
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to connect with an academic advisor. Together, you’ll lay out an academic plan that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success.
Resources For You
Get credit for your industry training. MCC offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for students with existing industry certifications, licenses, and approved corporate training. Access the form below and attach proof of training/certification when you submit your request. Please note, in order to access and complete the PLA form, you must be an active MCC student and have an MEID.
AAS degree students have University transfer options. This program allows students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science to transfer 60 or more credit hours toward a Bachelor of Applied Science to an Arizona public university. Learn more about AAS to BAS Transfer Pathways.