Part of the reason Pennsylvania is referred to as the Keystone State is due to its “important” contribution to the social, political, and economic advancement of the nation. It’s a great place to pursue further education in criminal justice because, appropriately, it’s also home to several criminal justice schools. Enrolling in one of the numerous criminal justice programs offered by the state can lead to a variety of flexible employment options in the in-demand fields of homeland security, social work, forensics, law enforcement, and more.
Online Criminal Justice Degree Pennsylvania
Numerous criminal justice schools in Pennsylvania provide customizable options that complement your personal and professional objectives, regardless of your preference for on-campus or online learning. We’ve included degree options and descriptions of some of Pennsylvania’s best criminal justice schools, both on campus and online, in this guide, financial aid opportunities, employment outlooks, and student resources.
Several well-regarded universities with exceptional characteristics may be found in Pennsylvania, whether you’re just starting your search or are an experienced student trying to progress in your career. Pennsylvania offers a wide range of criminal justice degree programs. The three best criminal justice programs in Pennsylvania that we’ve highlighted above include excellent instructors, a wide range of specialities and degree options, a comprehensive curriculum, and student support. This is a sneak peek at our whole college rating, which will be available shortly, so make sure to return.
Gannon College
If you choose to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree in criminal justice or criminalistics at Gannon University, you will have the opportunity to learn from and be supervised by some of the top academics in the nation. Including forensic scientists, police officers, and special agents from the FBI, NCIS, ATF, and other agencies, this Pennsylvania criminal justice school has selected some of the brightest minds in the industry to instruct its students. Additionally, you will be able to study in the university’s forensic investigation centre, where you can get practical experience with firearms training, crime scene investigation, evidence collection, interrogations, and other related tasks.
Pennsylvania requires police officers to acquire their basic training certification before work, per state law known as Act 120. If you’re interested in pursuing a postgraduate career in law enforcement, Gannon makes it easy to complete your Act 120 training while working towards your degree, making the transition to the workforce much easier.
Program Highlights:
AA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 60
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $870/credit
- Delivery: Full time; On campus
- Specializations: None
BA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $870/credit
- Delivery: Full time; On campus
- Specializations: None
MS in Criminalistics
- Credits: 36 credits
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $780/credit
- Delivery: Part-time; Online
- Specializations: None
University of Drexel
Drexel University is a great on-campus choice if you’re looking for a criminal justice school in Pennsylvania with field experience and options for specialization. Three concentrations are available for the bachelor’s degree offered by the department: criminal justice, justice studies, and justice informatics. A completely online, self-paced BS in Criminology and Justice Studies is also available from the school.
Drexel University is renowned for its cooperative education (co-op) program option, which allows students to complete six months of full-time employment in a criminal justice profession of their choice while getting their degree. This program is in addition to its speciality selections for its on-ground curriculum. Numerous students have worked for community organizations, nonprofits, legal companies, and local police departments. With this program, you can develop a professional network and obtain real-world experience in the network to utilize after graduation.
Program Highlights:
BS in Criminology and Justice Studies
- Credits: 178-194
- Length: Four years
- Cost: On-campus tuition: $58,293/year; online tuition:$459-$956 per credit
- Delivery: Full time; Part-time; On campus; Online
- Specializations: Criminal Justice, Justice Informatics, Justice Studies
Temple University
This esteemed Pennsylvania criminal justice institution is perfect for both novices and experts because it grants bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice department’s Inside Out Program, which places students in the prison system to finish specific courses alongside inmates for insightful behind-the-scenes knowledge, is beneficial to undergraduates. In addition, the undergraduate curriculum includes an optional 15-credit certification in human behaviour and cybersecurity, which can improve your résumé in forensics, cybersecurity, and national security, among other criminal justice fields.
Your studies as a graduate student will be concentrated on ideas, research, policy, and decision-making related to criminal justice. Through the Criminal Justice Graduate Student Association, you will not only receive an outstanding education but also form deep relationships with graduate students and instructors. This community not only provides graduate students studying criminal justice with chances for support and education, but it also invites members to give presentations at an annual conference on criminal justice-related themes.
Program Highlights:
BA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 123
- Length: Four years
- Cost: Pennsylvania resident: $17,136; out-of-state:$30,864
- Delivery: On-campus
- Specializations: None
MA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 30
- Length: One to three years
- Cost: Pennsylvania resident: $1,004 per credit; out-of-state: $1,381 per credit
- Delivery: Time; Part-time; On-campus
- Specializations: None
PhD in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 48
- Length: Four years (max seven)
- Cost: Pennsylvania resident: $1,053 per credit; out-of-state: $1,449 per credit
- Delivery: Full time; On campus
- Specializations: None
Best Online Programs in Pennsylvania for Criminal Justice Degrees
Online degrees are available from several Pennsylvania criminal justice colleges, making them the perfect choice for anyone who needs more flexibility or is working professionally. By doing away with the expenses of transportation and on-campus course materials, you may also save time and money.
Before registering, it’s critical to ascertain the format, delivery method, and schedule you may anticipate, as not all online programs function in the same way. For instance, while some online courses are entirely or mostly asynchronous (with lectures that are recorded and available at any time), others include synchronous learning, which consists of live classes that happen at a set time.
Check out our guide to online criminal justice degrees to find out more about what to anticipate from this particular degree program’s online learning environment. In addition, the top three online criminal justice degrees in Pennsylvania are listed below, along with degree options, payment alternatives, and delivery details.
University of Pennsylvania
Earning an online criminal justice degree in Pennsylvania is seamless at Penn State World Campus — the online school at Pennsylvania State. Your associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees can be obtained here entirely online. The instructors at the institution are qualified and have worked in a variety of criminal justice and law enforcement capacities, so you’ll get advice and firsthand knowledge from seasoned experts.
The associate degree program prepares you for entry-level work or a bachelor’s degree by teaching the fundamentals of public policy, behavioural science, and law enforcement.
Those pursuing a bachelor’s degree might anticipate delving deeper into subjects including sociology, law, policing, and imprisonment. Undergraduate students may also elect to pursue an 18-credit minor in homeland security, which can be helpful in a variety of fields such as emergency management, transportation security, secret services, and customs officers.
Finally, the master’s program provides concentrated education in criminal justice-focused administration and policy, enabling you to acquire the knowledge and abilities needed to influence policy changes in your local area.
Program Highlights:
AA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 64
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $7,602 per semester
- Mode: Online; Part-time; Full time
- Specializations: None
BS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $7,602 per semester
- Mode: Online; Part-time; Full time
- Specializations: None
Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
- Credits: 30
- Length: Two to three years
- Cost: $1,017 per credit
- Mode: Online; Part-time; Full time
- Specializations: None
St Joseph’s University
A master’s in criminal justice from St. Joseph’s University will expand your knowledge and open up new job options while offering the ease of online learning. Small class sizes are maintained at this private college to allow for more individualized education and peer assistance. Additionally, because the program can be completed either full-time or part-time, it offers one of the more flexible online criminal justice degrees in Pennsylvania.
This master’s program is unique in that it offers a wide range of specialization options that you can choose from according to your interests and career aspirations. The master’s program offers an optional 42-credit certification in Applied Behavior Analysis, which equips you to work with neurodivergent people and advance your career in behavioural health those with mental illnesses within your criminal justice career.
Program Highlights:
MS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 30
- Length: One to two years
- Cost: $845 per credit
- Mode: Online; Full time; Part-time
- Specializations: General track; Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Forensic Behavioral Health; Federal Law Enforcement; Intelligence and Crime Analysis; Homeland Security
PennWest Global Online
This online addition to Pennsylvania Western University, which offers master’s and doctoral degrees in criminal justice, is the best option for working professionals who wish to advance their education. In Pennsylvania, the master’s program in criminal justice offers three concentrations: Behavioral Crime Analysis, Forensic Linguistics, and Criminal Justice Studies.
These concentrations offer a wealth of speciality options for those seeking an online criminal justice degree. You can select a capstone activity that aligns with your career aspirations, such as an internship, study abroad course, thesis, or research publication, because this program places a strong emphasis on practical experience and fieldwork.
The online, part-time doctoral program focuses on how criminal justice is used in the community today, with a special emphasis on convictions, police use of force, federal consent decrees, and recidivism. As part of this program, you must attend a one-week residency.
The Pennsylvania Center for Investigative and Forensic Sciences, which is a helpful resource for law enforcement officers seeking extra training and advice during their studies, is affiliated with both graduate programs.
Program Highlights:
MA in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Credits: 30-39
- Length: One to two years
- Cost: Pennsylvania resident: $516/credit; out-of-state: $526/credit
- Mode: Online; Full time
- Specialities: Behavioral Crime Analysis, Forensic Linguistics, Criminal Justice Studies
DCJ in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 42
- Length: Two years
- Cost: Pennsylvania resident: $568/credit; out-of-state: $851/credit
- Mode: Online; Part-time
- Concentrations: None
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees in Pennsylvania
Getting a degree can be the next step towards reaching your professional objectives, regardless of whether you’re new to the criminal justice area or an experienced professional trying to advance in your career. Perhaps you are a recent high school graduate debating between a bachelor’s and an associate’s degree. Or perhaps you’re a patrol officer who wants to advance but needs to strengthen your resume to be considered.
Pennsylvania criminal justice schools provide a variety of on-campus and online degree choices to suit your ambitions, regardless of your aspirations. Learn about the various degree types and where to find them by continuing to read.
Associate Degrees
The first academic step up from a high school graduation is an associate degree. This criminal justice program offers a core understanding of criminal justice fundamentals and usually takes two years to complete. Students who obtain an associate degree may be eligible to apply for entry-level positions in social work, criminal justice, and law enforcement.
Additionally, it gives students a foundation in information that they can use to pursue higher education, such as a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degrees
For someone who has completed high school or an associate’s degree and wants to study the principles of criminal justice at a deeper level, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is recommended. You will be exposed to a wide range of criminal justice themes and tracks across the four years of the program, allowing you to select a career that fits your preferences.
Numerous graduates go on to work in forensics, courts, prisons, law enforcement, investigations, and other fields. A bachelor’s degree can improve your chances of being hired because they are sometimes competitive careers.
Master’s Degrees
Students and professionals can seek higher-paying employment and acquire more specialized skills with a master’s degree in criminal justice. A master’s degree can provide you with the information, abilities, and credentials needed to advance into more senior roles, whether you’re a mid-level police officer hoping to become a captain or a legal assistant hoping to become a paralegal. When employers are comparing competitive prospects, it also shows that you are willing to grasp new concepts and have a strong work ethic.
Doctoral Degrees
A doctorate in criminal justice is the highest degree that can be obtained, making it ideal for individuals who want to enhance their careers and develop specialized skills and leadership responsibilities. A few of these positions could be policy analyst, director of emergency management, chief of police, or federal agent.
A doctorate can offer doors in fieldwork, research, and policy-making, all of which can have a big impact on your community, regardless of the function you choose.
Certificates
In addition to allowing you to study more specialized criminal justice issues, certificate programs can offer specialized training in a particular field. This will help set your resume apart from the competition. Certificate programs are an affordable choice for individuals who wish to avoid the time commitment of a standard degree because they are shorter than typical degrees, lasting anything from a few months to a year.
Conclusion
The necessity of having access to extensive online degree programs in Pennsylvania has grown as the need for qualified criminal justice professionals rises. Prospective students of criminal justice across the state can now pursue their academic and professional objectives without compromising their current responsibilities by taking advantage of the flexibility and accessibility offered by remote learning.
The abundance of online criminal justice degrees in Pennsylvania has created new opportunities for anyone looking to expand their credentials, knowledge, and abilities in this ever-evolving industry. Online programs offer the chance to obtain a comprehensive, well-rounded education from the convenience of one’s home, regardless of the individual’s professional goals in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field.