With a degree in criminal justice, you can be assured that you are entering field of mass possibilities for your future. So many options within this course of study to choose from and with the ever-changing types of crime being committed the need is always there to employ high-quality individuals to fill these high-tech positions.
The criminal justice system is composed of three main parts, legislative (create laws), adjudication (courts) and corrections (jails, prisons, probation and parole). With an education in this field, you could learn all the facets of the criminal justice system which includes drug use or terrorism, family violence, retail loss prevention, police patrol officer, social worker, intelligence analyst, and many more. With specializations in forensics, homeland security and even computer crime, you can achieve high paying positions in criminal justice that will pave the way for a very, rewarding career.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earned in 2019, on average, $54,290 per year. Follow this link to see where other occupations within the criminal justice field stand as far as median annual pay.
The schools listed below, in no particular order, consistently rank highly among other ranking sites and are among the best when it comes to online teaching and the criminal justice category. Delve into each school and check out what they have to offer!
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science Criminology and Criminal Justice
Campus Location: Scottsdale, AR
Accreditation: North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition: $480 per credit hour
Courses: View a list of the courses
The Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree at Arizona State University offers students the quality education needed to be successful in the exciting field of criminal justice. The online version of the program is taught by the same professionals in the field as the on-campus version with each with specialized expertise in gangs, fraud, policing, courts, and corrections so you can be confident that you are getting the most of your education at ASU. Students will learn all aspects of the criminal justice system at the local, state and federal level.
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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Campus Location: Tallahassee, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Tuition: Distance learning tuition rates are available by contacting the school… click here for tuition rate contacts.
At Florida State University, there are zero on-campus visit requirements and you will receive the same excellency taught online as the students on-campus. Learn using state-of-the-art technology and do it all according to your busy schedule while receiving guidance every step of the way. FSU’s criminal justice program prepares students to have potential careers as a social services case manager, crime intelligence analyst, private investigator and many more exciting opportunities.
For more information, please click here
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PENNSYLVANIA STATE WORLD CAMPUS
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Campus Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $518 to $559 depending on the number of credits
Online learning at Penn State World Campus gives you the tools you need to start your career or advance your career in criminal justice with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. PSWC is the first online degree program in the US to be awarded the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ certification! The course covers everything from ethics to security and police administration to social science research and offers the same quality and faculty as the on-campus students enjoy!
For more information, please click here
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COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Online Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Law
Enforcement Administration
Campus Location: Greenwood Village, CO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $350 cost per credit…120 credit hours to completion
Colorado State University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is 100 percent online and provides you with the knowledge you need to start or advance into a career in criminal justice and law enforcement. Once you begin the admissions process you can get started in their accelerated 8-week term in less than a month!
For more information, please click here
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SAINT JOHN’S UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
School of Professional Studies
Campus Location: Collegeville, MN
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $1,262 per credit hour…126 credit program
The University’s Criminal Justice Advisory Council at St. John’s is compiled of leaders in the field which include, law enforcement, public safety and corrections. What sets St. John’s apart from the rest is their Forensic Psychology program that allows you to branch off into a unique field of study. You may also study court administration, criminalistics, computer science, and correctional counseling at St. John’s. Juniors and seniors have available to them for-credit internship opportunities to allow students to gain experience in the field AND strengthen the opportunity to make yourself marketable in today’s job market.
For more information, please click here
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DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $424 per credit hour…182 credits
While so many programs focus on “police science”, at Drexel University you attend a rigorous, specialized coursework that gives you a strong background in criminology and an understanding of the history, policies, etc. regarding the judiciary system, corrections, and law enforcement. It is also important to be aware of the ever-changing waves of crimes, so Drexel gives you the technical expertise needed in a modern criminal justice system. In addition, you may also complete the program at your pace, full or part-time, to allow for your busy lifestyle and you never have to come to the campus.
For more information, please click here
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PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Criminology & Criminal Justice Division
Online Criminology and Criminal Justice Programs
Campus Location: Portland, OR
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition: Tuition is based on how many credits you take: http://www.pdx.edu/financial-services/sites/www.pdx.edu.financial-services/files/PSU_2013_2014_FeeBook.pdf
Portland State University has available four certificate programs for those seeking specialization in criminal justice areas in law enforcement, corrections, federal agencies and social services. PSU’s faculty has real-world experience in criminal justice and their fully online courses allow for interactive sessions with other fellow students that share your same interests in criminal justice and criminology. You never have to step foot on campus, yet you will achieve the same quality, intensive coursework the on-campus students have access to.
For more information, please click here
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EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Department of Criminal Justice
Bachelor’s of Science in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies
Bachelor’s of Science in Police Studies
Campus Location: Richmond, KY
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $395 per credit hour, 120 hours to degree completion
One of the few in the nation to offer adult services and juvenile justice, Eastern Kentucky’s bachelor degree program in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies provides students, whether new to the field or a seasoned professional the skills and knowledge needed to have a successful career in criminal justice. At EKU, no prior college credit if required and what credits you may have already earned at another accredited university can be applied towards your degree.
For more information, please click here for more information on criminal justice bachelor’s degree
For more information, please click here for more information about police studies bachelor’s degree
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DRURY UNIVERSITY
Behavioral Sciences Department at the College of Professional Studies
Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice
Campus Location: Springfield, MO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: Contact Drury University for the latest per credit hour rates
Forensic sciences, corrections, criminology, immigration are just some of the program highlights that you will be exposed to within the criminal justice degree at Drury University. The courses are designed to allow flexibility within your existing family and/or work schedule and they offer orientation classes to familiarize students with the process. Drury’s teaching staff is fully educated themselves in the field AND in the latest in online technology to give you the most out of your off-campus learning experience.
For more information, please click here
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AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
GENERALIST SPECIALIZATION
Campus Location: Schaumburg, IL
Accreditation: American InterContinental University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To contact the Higher Learning Commission please visit www.hlcommission.org.
Tuition: 180 total credits with 45 of those specialization credits
The program length is 36 months and successful completion can provide you with the tools to apply what you’ve learned in any number of industry-related fields. Specialization courses include, but are not limited to, crime and substance abuse, security and loss prevention, evidence, administration of criminal justice, terrorism and homeland security, and many more…
For more information, please click here
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