Missouri Community Colleges
Criminal Justice Programs
Criminal justice programs at community colleges in this state. Law-enforcement, corrections, and pre-law pathways.
7 colleges · 160 sections · 50 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Missouri community college criminal-justice programs feed directly into law enforcement, corrections, court, and victim-services careers across the state. The 160 sections at 7 MCCA colleges this term cover criminology, criminal law, evidence and procedure, corrections theory, and the field-applicable foundation police academies expect from recruits.
The CC criminal-justice associate isn't a shortcut to becoming a police officer — most Missouri departments still require academy graduation regardless of degree — but it counts strongly during the hiring process, qualifies you for higher entry pay grades at many agencies, and is the standard prep for federal law-enforcement, probation officer, and corrections-officer roles that increasingly prefer degree holders.
Colleges offering Criminal Justice
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Criminal Justice is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 60 | 2 | — |
| St Charles Community College | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| State Fair Community College | 25 | 10 | 8 |
| Mineral Area College | 20 | 11 | 8 |
| Crowder College | 19 | 10 | 5 |
| Jefferson College | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| East Central College | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Criminal Justice Availability Snapshot
How criminal justice sections are being offered across 7 colleges in Missouri this term (160 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person114 (71%)
- online36 (23%)
- hybrid8 (5%)
- zoom2 (1%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)48
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)12
- Evening (5 PM and after)10
- Asynchronous / TBA90
Start dates
Sections begin on 9 distinct dates. 110 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 46 distinct instructors across 7 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Saint Louis Community College2 programs
St Charles Community College4 programs
Common Criminal Justice courses
- PLS 101AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POLITICS(59 sections)
- CJ 102Crime Scene Processing(16 sections)
- CRJ 140Ethics in Criminal Justice(9 sections)
- CJ 101Introduction to Criminal Justice(8 sections)
- CRJ 1100Introduction to Criminal Justice MOTR CRJS101 - 2020(6 sections)
- CRJ 175Criminology(5 sections)
- CRJ 110Intro to Criminal Justice(4 sections)
- CRJ 1200Criminal Investigation I(3 sections)
- CJ 103Telecommunications(3 sections)
- CRJ 101Intro Crim Justice(2 sections)
- CRJ 1130Introduction to Forensics(2 sections)
- CRJ 1170Introduction to Courts(2 sections)
Career outlook for Criminal Justice graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Missouri’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Missouri's typical pay is about 14% below the typical state — common for lower cost-of-living states, but worth weighing against tuition savings.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a criminal-justice degree to become a police officer in Missouri?
- No — police academies in Missouri accept candidates with just a high school diploma or GED plus background-check clearance. But a CJ associate's makes a difference in three ways: it boosts your competitive ranking in hiring, qualifies you for higher entry pay at most municipal agencies (typically a $1–3k starting-salary bump), and lets you sit for promotional exams sooner.
- What jobs does this degree qualify me for besides policing?
- Corrections officer (county jail, state prison), probation/parole officer, court clerk, victim advocate, security supervisor, juvenile-justice case manager, federal-agency entry roles (CBP, TSA, US Marshals support staff). Many graduates work corrections or court roles for a few years while preparing for police-academy admission.
- Can I transfer CJ credits to a four-year program?
- Yes — most Missouri state universities have criminal-justice bachelor's programs with articulated transfer from the MCCA associate. Some specialized degrees (forensic science, cybersecurity-focused CJ, pre-law CJ) require specific lower-division courses, so confirm with the target university's transfer office before locking your schedule.
- How long does the criminal-justice associate take?
- Two years full-time. Many Missouri community colleges offer evening and online sections aimed at working students — current corrections officers, security personnel, and military veterans use those formats to complete the degree while staying in their current jobs.
Compare Criminal Justice programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Missouri’s criminal justice programs stack up.
Other programs in Missouri
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.