It takes commitment and dedication to obtain your criminal justice degree as a single parent, but you will find it provides access to a fulfilling and stable career for the future of your family.
With the many options now available for single parents who want to return to the classroom, it's no small wonder that more and more single parents are going back to school. A criminal justice degree for single parents can become a stepping stone to a rewarding career in criminal justice. If you have always wanted to become a police officer, investigator or probation officer, you should look into a criminal justice degree.
A criminal justice degree for single parents is the first step for those who are interested in a career in law enforcement. There are essentially two types of criminal justice programs. The quickest of these programs is the associate degree program, which is a two-year program; it can be completed by many students within two years or even less. The other is a four-year degree program. Students completing this type of program are awarded a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Students who wish to complete their degrees in less time can usually take additional courses each semester, while those students who need more than the customary time to complete their degrees can go to school on a part-time basis.
Luckily for single parents, plenty of support for parents going back to school is available. This includes government-sponsored programs that will help pay for tuition, books and more. The most common support for the single parent is financial aid. Many single parents qualify for a Pell grant. This type of grant is not a loan and does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are only available to students who have not been awarded a bachelor's degree, and the amount is based on the student's financial need, the cost of attending school at the student's chosen school, and whether or not the student attends as a full-time student or part-time student. The current maximum amount for a Pell grant is $5,500 per school year.
Many scholarships are uniquely available for the single parent. These scholarships vary by school; students should check with the financial aid office at their respective colleges to find out which scholarships are available to them.
Another type of financial help for those seeking a criminal justice degree for single parents is the student loan. Student loans from the U.S. Department of Education are typically low-interest loans that a student does not need to start repaying until after completion of a program. Private student loans are also available, although a student needs to have good credit to qualify for this type of loan.
Most colleges and universities offer criminal justice programs that lead to a criminal justice degree, and a number of colleges offer criminal justice classes online. It is important to know, however, that even if a program is offered online, you may be required to attend some traditional classes in person or complete an internship in the criminal justice field before being awarded your credential. It takes commitment and dedication to obtain your criminal justice degree as a single parent, but you will find it provides access to a fulfilling and stable career for the future of your family.
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