In today’s digital age, pursuing a degree online has become increasingly popular. This holds true even in the field of criminal justice. Whether you’re a working professional looking to advance your career or a recent high school graduate eager to dive into the world of law enforcement, Criminal Justice Online Degrees offer flexibility, accessibility, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community.
What is a Criminal Justice Online Degree?
A Criminal Justice Online Degree is an academic program that provides comprehensive education in the field of criminal justice entirely through online courses. These degrees are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in various roles within the criminal justice system.
Is a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Worth it?
A criminal justice degree sets you up for a stable career. You’ll have plenty of job options, good pay, and excellent benefits. Many of the jobs you qualify for make a positive impact on the community. You’ll also be in a good position to advance your career through higher positions, such as administrative roles.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
- Numerous career paths
- Widely applicable skills
- High job satisfaction
- Job stability
- Health and retirement benefits
Reasons to Get Your Criminal Justice Degree Online
- Take classes while working full-time
- Flexible class schedule
- Self-driven learning environment
- Learn from anywhere
- Convenient for career changers
How Much Does a Criminal Justice Degree Cost?
An online degree costs between $6,000-$36,000. The cost may go up or down depending on a few factors:
- Your school or program
- If you have transfer credits
- If you spend extra years in college
Criminal justice is a branch of social science. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the median annual cost for an online bachelor’s degree in social sciences is $6,637.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online?
The time it takes to get your degree depends on if you’re a full-time or part-time student or if you have transferable credits.
A full-time student with a minimum course load of 15 credits per semester can finish in about four years. A part-time student taking less than 15 credits usually finishes in 5-6 years.
Accelerated programs are one way to graduate faster. These programs prioritize finishing quickly, but often demand a more intensive course load.
Transfer credits also speed up graduation times. You can transfer credits you earned in the past and apply them to a new degree. With enough credits, you could get a bachelor’s degree in less than two years.
How Much Money Can I Make With a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice?
A criminal justice degree could make you anywhere between $47,920-$66,020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Plus, the odds of finding a well-paying job are in your favor because criminal justice degrees are widely applicable to different fields.
Police and correctional officers are two popular jobs for criminal justice graduates. According to the BLS, police and detectives earned a median annual salary of $66,020 in May 2021, while correctional officers made $47,920.
Salaries may go up or down depending on your education level, occupation, sector (public vs. private), and geographic location. Top-paying states for forensic science technicians and probation officers include California, Massachusetts, and New York.
Also, consider that some entry-level jobs in criminal justice may not pay exceptionally well but make up for it with good financial benefits. Criminal justice jobs often offer pensions and health insurance coverage that can set you up for retirement and better overall quality of life.
Criminal Justice Career Paths
- Police officer or detective
- Correctional officer
- Probation officer
- Private investigator
- Arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator
- Paralegals or legal assistant
- Forensic analyst or technician
- Court clerk
Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers an online criminal justice degree program that can prepare you for careers in corrections, law enforcement, and in the court system. Required classes include introduction to criminal justice, police and society, and crime and behavior.
To be admitted to the program, you must meet the admissions requirements for the University of Arkansas and complete Composition I and Composition II. You must have a minimum of 12 hours at UA Little Rock with a minimum GPA of 2.25.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $280
Out of State | $280
Credits to Graduate
At least 120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Institutional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
100% Online | Accelerated 7-Week Courses
2. Franklin University
Franklin University offers an online bachelor of science in criminal justice administration. This criminal justice degree program focuses on leadership within the criminal justice system. Required classes include intro to criminal justice administration, introduction to criminology, and evidence-based practice and research.
If you enroll in this program, you can choose a focus on corrections, homeland security, law enforcement, public administration, or special populations. If you do not want to select a focus, you can choose your own electives.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $398
Out of State | $398
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Institutional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
100% Online | 6- and 12-Week Courses
3. Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University offers a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration. This degree program provides a solid foundation in the principles of criminal justice. If you enroll in this program, you’ll learn about law enforcement, criminology, and victimology.
To apply, you must complete an online application and submit copies of your college transcripts. If you have fewer than 24 credit hours to transfer, you must also submit your official high school transcripts.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $410
Out of State | $410
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Institutional Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
100% Online | 8-Week Courses
4. New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers an online bachelor of criminal justice program. This criminal justice program requires at least 120 credits with 48 or more in courses numbered 300 or higher. You can learn how to become an effective leader in the criminal justice space.
Required courses include criminal law; crime, justice, and society; advanced research methods; and issues in ethics, law, and criminal justice. Elective choices include introduction to criminal justice research, political research skills, and experimental methods.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $395
Out of State | $395
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Institutional Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission
100% Online | Course Format Unspecified
5. City University of Seattle
City University of Seattle offers a bachelor of science in criminal justice. This online criminal justice degree program can provide you with the training needed to administer justice in the public sector. You can choose to focus on justice administration or have a general focus.
If you have attended Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission basic training, you can receive credit for 36 lower-division credits and possibly five upper-division credits. If you have military training, you can also receive credit toward a criminal justice degree.
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $470
Out of State | $470
Credits to Graduate
180
Program Information
Degree Completion Program | No
Institutional Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
100% Online | Course Format Unspecified
6. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers a BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The program is a 120-credit-hour program with a total of 40 classes with each class lasting for 7.5 weeks.
Students who maintain a GPA of 3.40 and higher can apply to the accelerated criminal justice degree program, which can allow them to complete the BS and MA in just 5 years. Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Committee.
7. Ball State University
Ball State University offers a BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology that has the unique feature of allowing you to customize your degree based on the career path you want to enter.
This program is ideal for persons working in criminology and criminal justice who wish to achieve their degree while juggling family and jobs. BSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
8. Bellevue University
Bellevue University offers a BS in Criminal Justice and Emergency Management. The degree features a total of 127 credit hours and is offered on campus and online.
This is ideal for people who have deep-rooted values as justice, integrity, and honesty. Students can learn corrections, law enforcement, and court systems. Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
9. Central Methodist University
Central Methodist University offers both a BA & BS in Criminal Justice. This program covers everything from profiling, serial crime, and American society law. Students get the opportunity to build the necessary skills for becoming a professional in the real world.
Courses covered include policing, criminal law, and the entire legal system. CMU is accredited and/or recognized by the Higher Learning Commission.
10. Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University offers a BA in Criminal Justice and a BA in Homeland Security Studies. They also offer a BS in Criminal Justice and a BS in Homeland Security Studies.
These courses provide students the ability to study at research institutes. The program also allows students to access world-renowned correctional and law enforcement training. Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Frequently Asked Question on Criminal Justice
What’s the difference between a BS and BA in criminal justice?
Schools may offer a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in criminal justice, which incorporate a philosophical or practical approach, respectively. BA degrees tend to include a liberal arts core, while BS degrees may focus on the technical aspects of this career field.
These degrees can offer a choice of wide-ranging criminal justice concentrations. Options may include computer science, forensics, public policy, administration, or human services.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s in criminal justice?
Police officers and probation officers are among the highest-paid entry-level criminal justice professionals, earning median annual salaries of $66,020 and $60,250, respectively, in May 2021.
Within law enforcement, detectives and criminal investigators top the list of highest earners, with salaries exceeding $83,000 per year. Furthermore, police and detectives employed by the federal government earned nearly $94,000 a year as of May 2021.
What courses will I take in an online bachelor’s in criminal justice program?
You’ll take a mix of general education, elective, and criminal justice courses. Depending on your program, your general education or elective classes may or may not be related to your major.
General education classes are designed to make you a more well-rounded graduate. Electives give you the freedom to learn what you want and explore other interests.
Criminal justice classes will cover the foundations of criminal justice. You can expect to take classes such as:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- The Judicial System in the United States
- Technology in Criminal Justice
- The Correctional System in the United States
- U.S. Law Enforcement
Can You Get a Criminal Justice Degree Online?
Yes, you can earn a Criminal Justice degree online. There’s a good number of colleges and universities across the country offering online criminal justice degrees.
Coursework for these programs is of the same quality as on-campus classes. You will also have the same professional opportunities as those who earn criminal justice degrees on-campus.
Can I work while pursuing a Criminal Justice Online Degree?
Yes, many online programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. You can study part-time or choose flexible class schedules to balance work and education.
Are online Criminal Justice degrees respected by employers?
Yes, reputable online Criminal Justice programs are highly respected by employers, provided they are accredited by recognized accreditation bodies.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid options for online Criminal Justice students?
Yes, many universities and organizations offer scholarships and financial aid specifically for criminal justice students. Be sure to research and apply for these opportunities to help fund your education.
Conclusion
A Criminal Justice Online Degree is your gateway to a fulfilling career dedicated to upholding the law and ensuring justice prevails. With the flexibility, accessibility, and diverse career opportunities it offers, this educational path is worth considering for anyone passionate about making a positive impact on society.
So, are you ready to embark on your journey towards a Criminal Justice Online Degree? Take the first step and explore the programs available to find the one that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
