Are you hoping to work in legal services, corrections, or law enforcement? You may learn everything there is to know about criminology, the legal system, and the justice system with an online criminal justice degree program.
An accessible and flexible approach to obtaining the qualifications required for high-paying positions in the area is to study online. The average yearly salary for detectives and criminal investigators in 2022 was $91,610, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Online Schools For Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Keep reading to discover the best online criminal justice programs in 2024.
1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
In-State: $292
Out-of-State: $292
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
Through theory study and practical application, the criminal justice bachelor’s program at UA Little Rock teaches criminal behaviour, administration, and criminal issues. With the help of the program’s expedited seven-week classes, students can complete their degree in four years.
There are five required courses and five significant electives in the criminal justice program. Cybercrime, criminal legislation, and criminal evidence are examples of elective options. With permission from their instructor, students can earn up to six credits for completing a pertinent internship.
2. Franklin University
In-State: $398
Out-of-State: $398
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
Franklin University provides a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration that covers justice systems, contemporary law enforcement technologies, and ideas of crime control. Through classes, virtual field trips, guest lecturers, and firsthand stories from offenders, the school focuses on educating students. Case studies will be completed by attendees to get practical experience.
One can enrol in the program’s six-week courses one at a time. The tuition rate for a student will not vary from the time of enrollment to graduation, the school ensures.
3. Campbellsville University
In-State: $375
Out-of-State: $375
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
A foundational grasp of criminal behaviour, the sociological causes of crime, and criminal justice principles can be acquired through Southeastern University’s criminal justice bachelor’s program. It is advised by the school that students explore extracurricular activities such as student associations, internships, and undergraduate research. Those who are more advanced can enrol in the school’s honours curriculum.
The basic curriculum of the program includes required courses in criminal justice, such as criminology, juvenile delinquency, and the American legal system. Six electives on criminal justice themes are also available to students.
4. Ashland University
In-State: $395
Out-of-State:$395
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
The criminal justice department at Ashland University offers criminology education via a curriculum created by professionals in the fields of law enforcement, forensic science, and law. Professional meetings, seasoned lecturers, and conventional classrooms are all available to attendees for learning. Among general criminal justice, law enforcement administration, correctional administration, criminology, and legal studies, students are required to select a concentration.
By enrolling in a police academy, candidates can concurrently obtain a police certification. Through the use of a prior learning evaluation portfolio, people with relevant prior work experience and life lessons can earn up to 30 credits.
5. Lewis University
In-State: $445
Out-of-State: $445
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 128
For those who are interested in a profession in criminology, public safety, or social justice, Lewis offers an expedited online Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. The course includes community-oriented policing, ethical concerns, and justice policies. The program is intended for adults and working professionals and consists of eight-week courses.
Through the institution’s BA-to-MS program, students can complete an extra year of coursework to earn a master’s in criminal justice. To be eligible for the program, students must finish 90 credit hours with a GPA of at least 3.0.
6. Georgia State University
In-State: $298
Out-of-State: $933
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
The online criminal justice bachelor’s program offered by Georgia State combines classic criminal justice theories and concepts with cutting-edge innovations. There are two concentrations available for the degree: legal studies or crime and justice. Another option for students is to minor in digital criminology.
Every participant is required to finish a senior-year internship with one of the 350 partner agencies that have been approved. Internships in the fields of law, mental health, and police are available to students. Minors in digital criminology are also required to finish a capstone project that involves forecasting and analytics.
7. Methodist University
In-State: $435
Out-of-State: $435
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 124
A criminal justice bachelor’s degree from MU covers the behaviours and factors that result in criminal activity. Weekly seminars, a practicum, and online courses are used to teach the program’s practical approach to learning. Participants can choose to minor in marketing, business administration, or accounting online. Students can showcase their research skills and acquired knowledge in the program’s capstone course.
Official transcripts and the online application must be submitted by the applicant. Transfer credits up to 93 are accepted by the school.
9. Texas A&M University-Commerce
In-State: $67
Out-of-State: $133
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 120
A&M Commerce provides working people with a BS in criminal justice with a focus on law enforcement leadership, where they may learn about digital crimes, community trust-building, and ethical policing. Participants in the asynchronous courses can finish tasks at their own speed.
For those with prior professional experience or law enforcement training, the curriculum offers up to 30 credits. In order to be eligible for this major, students must have completed thirty credit hours of criminal justice education via work experience, community college courses, or traditional format courses at the institution.
10. United Tribes Technical College
In-State: $115-200
Out-of-State: $115-200
CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 121
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at UTTC offers knowledge of criminology theory, professional behaviour for law enforcement, and technology utilized in related fields. The curriculum adds two more years of schooling while covering the same topics as the school’s associate degree in criminal justice. Core courses taken by students include judicial processes, community policing, and media relations.
In addition to official transcripts, ACT test results, a photo ID, and vaccination records, applicants must fill out an online form. Additionally, there is a $70 background check cost that individuals must pay.
Formats of Delivery for Online Degrees in Criminal Justice
Online learning is not always the same. The way your school assigns its curriculum affects how you learn. Online degree programs in criminal justice are commonly delivered in the following formats:
- Hybrid Learning: A hybrid style combines online courses with in-person instruction. These meetings take place at designated times and places in certain programs. In others, you may enrol in some classes virtually and some in person. Since internships are not regarded as in-person instruction, they might be required for an online program.
- Online Learning: You can complete a degree entirely online, negating the need for on-campus time. Asynchronous, synchronous, or a combination of the two are available for online degrees.
- Synchronous: In a synchronous online course, your lecturer and other students gather in an online classroom at a predetermined time. The only difference between synchronous learning and in-person instruction is that you engage digitally.
- Asynchronous: Students in an asynchronous online course don’t convene at a predetermined time or location. The course reduces schedule problems and maximizes flexibility even if it has a set timeline and due dates. 37% of students stated in a 2022 survey conducted by the online learning startup Anthology that they preferred entirely asynchronous courses.
- Blended learning: A few courses combine synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Online Criminal Justice Degree Accreditation
Many organizations focused on criminal justice require applicants to have graduated from a recognized university. Your degree has a marketability that is unmatched by schools that are not certified thanks to accreditation. Furthermore, students enrolled in approved colleges are the only ones eligible for many financial aid packages.
Not every accreditation is created equal. An organization that assesses the entire school has granted institutional accreditation to a school. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Higher Learning Commission are examples of institutional accreditors. The only programs you should take into consideration are those offered by colleges that have institutional accreditation, which is the gold standard.
Within a school, programmatic accreditation is reserved for particular departments or degrees. No organization will accredit criminal justice programs as of 2024. Although this organization does not belong to the Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, it does approve certain degrees.
Make sure to search for an online college having state authorization in addition to accreditation. It is important to confirm if a school in one state can instruct kids in other states virtually. State authorization guards against you possibly losing your federal financial aid help if you enrol in a school that isn’t allowed to teach in your state.
Why Earn a Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Online?
Due to the flexibility that online learning provides, distance learning is becoming more and more common. Benefits of online learning could include:
- Flexibility: Compared to an on-campus learner, you have a lot more latitude in deciding when to finish your work.
- Reduced Costs: Compared to campus-based programs, online degrees frequently have lower costs.
- Accountability: You assume more personal accountability for your own education when there isn’t a lecturer or fellow students around.
Some students, on the other hand, believe that online degrees are more difficult than traditional ones, and others just miss the classroom’s community component. Consider whether the savings and flexibility of an online criminal justice degree outweigh the additional responsibilities before enrolling.
Conclusion
The availability of online courses has completely changed the options available to those seeking a criminal justice bachelor’s degree. The dynamic field of criminal justice has more opportunities for individuals to improve their knowledge, skills, and job prospects because of these programs’ flexible, accessible, and high-quality educational experiences.
The benefits of online learning are becoming more and more clear as the labour market changes and the need for skilled criminal justice professionals rises. Prospective students are now empowered to attain their educational and career goals on their own terms by balancing their scholastic aspirations with personal and professional commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration required to earn an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice?
- A criminal justice bachelor’s degree typically requires four years to complete. You can, however, hasten your graduation date by enrolling in an accelerated program, making the most of your transfer credits, or taking classes all year round.
What is the cost of a criminal justice online degree?
- The average yearly cost of tuition for an online degree in social or behavioural science, like criminal justice, is $10,570, according to NCES data. While tuition at public schools is usually less than that of private schools, higher education may be more expensive at well-known universities.
Is the criminal justice system difficult?
- Though not particularly challenging, criminal justice classes typically involve a lot of reading and writing. With the possible exception of forensic science courses, you won’t likely find yourself in challenging, advanced STEM programs. Furthermore, criminal justice doesn’t feel difficult because it can be so fascinating.
Which is preferable, a criminal justice BS or BA?
- A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help you get ready for a job in law enforcement administration, criminology, or corrections. If you want to work as a paralegal, forensic scientist, or fraud investigator, a BS might be a better choice.