The year 2020 witnessed some of the most sweeping and far-reaching calls for sound and fair application of the law and growing demand for reform. Increasing social tensions reveal the need for experts in Criminal Justice with a sound understanding of the field’s history and principles, as well as, the ability to apply with fairness the demands of the law for the good of the community.
The outstanding institutions listed below are already responding to the needs of society as it relates to Criminal Justice. Each of these Top 20 Online Schools for Bachelor’s of Criminal Justice Degree Programs will give students the experience and knowledge they need for pursuing a career in criminal justice. On a strong basis in criminal justice, many career paths open up. These include, but are not limited to, security, investigation, protection, service, law, psychology, corrections, private investigation, victim advocacy, and many more.
quick links
- Top 20 Online Schools for Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Programs
- FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
- WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
- FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
- WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
- THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY
- NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA
- NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
- TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
- PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
- UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
- SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PEMBROKE
- COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for additional information? See our Criminal Justice Career, Salary and Degree Guide
Check these links for interesting degree programs: Unrivaled Online Paralegal Associate Degree Programs, 20 Most Affordable Schools for Online Legal Studies Degree Programs, Top 10 Online Schools for Master’s in Law or Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Top 20 Online Schools for Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: In developing this list, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com chose not to list the schools in an ordered way but instead highlighted twenty of the very Best Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Programs, all of which have their own unique strengths. These 20 institutions were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online graduate programs due to the:
- Degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum in Criminal Justice,
- 100% Online Availability, offering flexibility while working,
- It offers an education that gives students more than just classroom experience.
- Financial Aid offering Grants, Scholarships, Military Discounts,
- Taught by expert faculty in Criminal Justice focusing on developing critical thinkers and problem-solvers,
- Ease of Transfer Course Credits,
- Offers comprehensive learning experiencing all aspects of Criminal Justice
- Proper accreditation,
- Internship Opportunities.
To delve deeper, please see our Methodology page.
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN CRIMINOLOGY-DISTANCE EDUCATION
Program Standouts:
Florida State University offers distance education students an extremely well-reviewed online Bachelor in Criminology. In this degree program, online undergraduate students work closely with “professors who are leaders in the field.”
Campus Location: Tallahassee, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional, state, external, and private scholarship opportunities; federal, state, and institutional grants; federal and private loans.
Acceptance Rate: 49.2%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, a Self-Reported Student Academic Record, SAT/ACT scores, and a personal essay.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Victimology
- Drugs in the Justice System
- Minorities, Crime, and Social Policy
Degree Outcomes:
Through rigorous coursework, and with vigilant guidance of professors and advisors, students gain an enormous amount of experience through Florida State’s online Bachelor of Criminology. Careers for graduates include detective, child welfare caseworker, crime intelligence analyst, victim advocate, corporate security specialist, private investigator, fish and wildlife officer, and social services, case manager.
Learn more about Florida State University’s Online Bachelor of Criminology Degree Program
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.S./B.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
Western Carolina University has been consistently well-ranked for many years running. “Grounded in social and behavioral science theory and research,” the curriculum is designed to give students a wealth of information and understanding within the Criminal Justice field.
Campus Location: Cullowhee, NC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional and alternative scholarship opportunities; work-study programs; various payment plans; military benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 38.8%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the application fee, official high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores. Recommended, yet not required, documentation includes a personal essay, letters of reference, and updated program reports.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Institutional Corrections
- Police and Society
- Criminal Courts
Degree Outcomes:
Upon graduation from this prestigious online program, students will be well-prepared to enter the work-force or continuing education programs. Coursework refines necessary skills and techniques for the criminal justice professional, so that students may enter their future career with expertise.
Learn more about Western Carolina University’s Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
B.A. OR B.S. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ONLINE
Program Standouts:
Fort Hays State University offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice to online students. These Justice Studies programs are highly respected by many journalistic resources and will provide students with an excellent array of academic and alumni benefits.
Campus Location: Hays, KS
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional, state, and outside scholarship opportunities; federal and state grants; federal, alternative, and private loans; various payment plans; Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 88.6%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, official high school transcripts representing a satisfactory GPA, and SAT/ACT scores.
Program Options:
- Law of Cyberspace
- Law Enforcement in the Community
- Juvenile Delinquency
Degree Outcomes: Despite whether students choose the BA or the BS track, they will receive a solid foundation of coursework in justice studies and criminal justice. Having gone through rigorous coursework and student projects, graduates will enter the work-force with numerous resources.
Learn more about Fort Hays State University’s BA or BS in Criminal Justice Degree Online
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ONLINE B.A. MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
In a wide range of coursework, Florida Tech students learn many pertinent skills of the field, such as how to analyze components in criminal justice including crime trends, statistics, victimology, and crime prevention; and apply legal concepts including due process, criminal liability, use of force, and search and seizure.
Campus Location: Melbourne, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional and alternative scholarship opportunities; corporate tuition assistance; federal, private, and alternative loans; state grants; various payment plans; Military and Law Enforcement benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 63.5%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school or GED transcripts, and any official college transcripts or transfer credits.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Law and Psychology
- Violent Crime
- Organized Crime
Degree Outcomes:
There are many career options for students enrolled in Florida Techs’s online Bachelor in Criminal Justice, such as corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security, and intelligence. Students will develop a global perspective of the overall process of criminal justice, from investigation and arrest to court and prisons.
Learn more about Florida Tech Online’s BA in Criminal Justice Degree
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ONLINE B.A./B.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
As it is strongly worded on their website, “Located a stone’s throw from the FBI, CIA, and NSA—and the major metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland—University of Maryland University College is home to industry leaders who protect cities and the nation from some of our greatest threats.”
Campus Location: Upper Marlboro, MD
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Types of Aid: Federal grants and loans; institutional and private scholarship opportunities; employer tuition assistance; various payment plans; and Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 44.5%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school or GED transcripts.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Criminal Law in Action
- Ethical Behavior in Criminal Justice
- Law-Enforcement Administration
Degree Outcomes:
Working with some of the most crucial defense and law enforcement departments in the country, UMUC provides students with an experience-rich and highly challenging program. Throughout their academic career, students develop and refine invaluable skills with some of the nation’s leading defense professionals.
Learn more about the University of Maryland’s Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Program
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
According to their website, Washington State University’s online Bachelor in Criminal Justice is “ranked no. 1 in the nation!” Founded in 1943 and vastly expanded upon since then, this degree program “combines problem-driven research and real-world expertise.”
Campus Location: Pullman, WA
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Types of Aid: Federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional and alternative scholarship opportunities; federal and private/alternative loans; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 73.1%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, official high school transcripts with a satisfactory cumulative GPA, and SAT/ACT scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Crime Control Policies
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
Degree Outcomes:
Students learn from faculty members who “routinely lend their expertise to a broad range of agencies,” and bring that level of experience to the online classroom. WSU graduates from this program go on to achieve positions in top law enforcement organizations, or in prestigious continuing education programs.
Learn more about Washington State University’s Online Criminal Justice Degree Program
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
ONLINE B.S./B.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
The University of Central Florida’s College of Health and Public Affairs offers both B.A./B.S. in Criminal Justice. This online undergraduate program “provides a comprehensive core course structure, combined with a rich variety of upper-division electives to provide an excellent knowledge base in the field of Criminal Justice.”
Campus Location: Orlando, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal, state, institutional, and private grants; institutional, state, and alternative scholarship opportunities; students’ employment programs; federal and private loans; non-resident tuition waiver.
Acceptance Rate: 49.9%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school or homeschooled transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, GED scores, SAT/ACT scores, and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Domestic Violence and the CJ System
- Crime Prevention
- Prisons and Jails
Degree Outcomes:
UCF advisors work closely with undergraduate criminal justice students to create the perfect curriculum. This prepares students for positions in local, county, state, and federal justice agencies, private security organizations, and related fields; as well as for challenging graduate programs.
Learn more about UFC Online’s BA/BS in Criminal Justice Programs
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
Thomas Edison State University offers a prestigious online program that utilizes an “interdisciplinary study of crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system.” Students gain an extensive understanding of the many facets and sectors of a complex justice system.
Campus Location: Trenton, NJ
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional, alternative, and outside scholarship opportunities; various payment plans; Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts and any college transcripts/transfer credits, and proof of any and all licenses and certifications.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Criminological Theory
- Civil Engagement
- American Juvenile Justice System
Degree Outcomes:
Upon completion of this online undergraduate program, students demonstrate knowledge of legal aspects of policing and criminal justice processes and will have the ability to enforce fair and equal protection within their communities.
Learn more about Thomas State State University’s Bachelor Of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice
NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
ONLINE B.S. IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
NSU of Louisiana offers an outstandingly professional online curriculum in criminal justice that gives students who have a vested interest in law, the opportunity to concentrate their degree through a compelling Prelaw and Paralegal Studies specialization.
Campus Location: Natchitoches, LA
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal, private, and alternative loans; federal and state grants; student employment programs; institutional, state, and outside scholarship opportunities; various payment plans; numerous Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 80.3%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, official high school transcripts representing a cumulative GPA of 2.35 or higher, and ACT/SAT scores.
Program Options:
- Criminal Justice General Program
- Prelaw and Paralegal Studies
Degree Outcomes:
Exiting the program, students will have accumulated a large array of skills and techniques to apply toward a career, as well as prestigious graduate programs. Students of the Prelaw concentration, in particular, have a bright future in continued education and as criminal justice lawyers.
Learn more about University of Nebraska-Omaha’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice-Bachelor Degree Program
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Online B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Degrees
Program Standouts:
Arizona State University consistently appears on lists of the best online degree programs, and the Bachelors in Criminal Justice degree is well-reviewed by numerous reputable sources. Students “learn from professors who are recognized leaders in their fields as well as from a prestigious group of criminal justice professionals with expertise in policing, gangs, fraud, corrections, and courts.”
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional and alternative scholarship opportunities; federal and institutional grants; federal work-study programs; federal and private loans.
Acceptance Rate: 84.1%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts representing a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and SAT/ACT scores (ASU does not require the writing portion of these tests).
Sampling of Coursework:
- Domestic Violence
- Gangs
- White-Collar Crime
Degree Outcomes:
“The [Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice] program helps develop the research, analytical, and communications skills required for working in complex criminal justice occupations.” Students gain highly refined techniques and experience within the program that will be applied to a fulfilling career.
Learn more about ASU’s Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Degrees
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA
ONLINE B.S. OF CRIMINOLOGY
Program Standouts:
According to the University of Nebraska Omaha School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, students can earn a bachelor’s degree “from a nationally recognized leader in criminological research and education in a completely online format.”
Campus Location: Omaha, NE
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; federal work-study programs; federal and alternative loans.
Acceptance Rate: 86.5%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts representing an exemplary GPA, and SAT/ACT scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Police and Society
- Survey of Criminal Courts
- Criminal Procedure
Degree Outcomes:
Throughout their degree program, online students are challenged by an expert faculty and demanding curriculum, and will thoroughly prepare them for careers such as a police officer, DEA agent, probation officer, or correctional counselor.
Learn more about University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Online BS of Criminology and Criminal Justice
NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
ONLINE B.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
In New England College’s online Bachelor of Criminal Justice, students are immersed in coursework that draws from a large area of disciplines, such as psychology, policy, law, ethics, forensics, and communication. Working closely with professors, students establish a firm understanding of criminal justice systems and processes.
Campus Location: Henniker, NH
Accreditation: New England Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal, state, and institutional grants; institutional, alternative, and outside scholarship opportunities; various payment plans.
Acceptance Rate: 99.6%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts, any and all additional transcripts and/or records, and SAT/ACT scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Forensic Psychology
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Criminal Law
Degree Outcomes:
Students will have the opportunity to enter into an exciting array of employment positions such as crime scene investigators, police officers, private investigators, revenue agents, and cybersecurity professionals. Working in many different environments, graduates have enhanced critical thinking skills and demonstrate a high degree of dedication to the profession.
Learn more about New England College’s Online BA in Criminal Justice Degree Program
TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BACHELOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
In Texas Woman’s University’s online Bachelor of Criminal Justice program, students undergo a broad, general education of the discipline, “with an emphasis on social sciences.” Students gain valuable real-world experience through local internships.
Campus Location: Denton, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional, alternative, and state scholarship opportunities; federal and state grants; student employment programs; federal and emergency loans.
Acceptance Rate: 85.7%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts representing a GPA of at least 2.0/a GED certificate/home school transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Culture, Inequality, and Self
- Crime in America
- The Mexican American in Contemporary Society
Degree Outcomes:
TWU graduates are known to work in a variety of criminal justice environments, such as local, state, and federal agencies; private businesses, police agencies, and juvenile detention centers; occupying positions of officers, detectives, lawyers, judges, and investigators.
Learn more about Texas Woman’s University’s Online Criminal Justice Programs Majors, and Bachelor Degrees
PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
ONLINE BS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
A strong purveyor of online education, Penn state world campus offers a program that “balances the theoretical and practical aspects of crime control as they relate to adult and juvenile justice.” Students are encouraged to enhance their degrees with Homeland Security Minor.
Campus Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Types of Aid: Federal grants and loans; deferred payment plans; third-party payments; employer tuition reimbursement; Tuition Assistance for Unemployed Members of the Workforce; institutional scholarship opportunities; numerous Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school or GED transcripts, any university or military transcripts, SAT/ACT scores (not required if an applicant is identified as an ‘adult learner’), and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.
Program Options:
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Security and Police Administration
- Alternatives to Incarceration
Degree Outcomes:
Outstanding student reviews denote the prestige of this “nationally recognized” program. A challenging curriculum prepares students for a promising future in many different areas of criminal justice and homeland security.
Learn more about Penn State World Campus’ Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Program
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
ONLINE B.S. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is well-known and recognized for its online programs, and the Bachelor of Criminal Justice is no exception. Offering professional and intriguing major coursework, combined with a strong liberal arts curriculum, students gain enormous benefits at UML.
Campus Location: Lowell, MA
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Types of Aid: Institutional and alternative scholarship opportunities based on merit; federal and state grants; federal and private loans; student employment programs; various payment plans.
Acceptance Rate: 68.8%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online or physical application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school transcripts/GED transcripts/High School Equivalency Testing Program scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Criminal Mind and Behavior
- Hate Crime
- International Perspectives on Crime and Crime Control
Degree Outcomes:
The highly specialized coursework from UMAss Lowell gives students a unique perspective into the criminal justice discipline. Working with professors and advisors, students can build exciting concentration areas through elective courses.
Learn more about UMass-Lowell’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM
Program Standouts:
Southeast Missouri State University offers three concentration options within its online Bachelor of Criminal Justice curriculum. Each of these specializations provides fascinating coursework that instills many applicable skills and theories.
Campus Location: Cape Girardeau, MO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal, state, and private/alternative loans; federal and state grants; institutional, Military, and state scholarship opportunities; fee waivers; student employment opportunities; Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 84.5%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts representing an exemplary GPA, and ACT/SAT scores.
Program Options:
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections
- Criminology
Degree Outcomes:
Depending on which one of the three concentration options a student picks, they will be prepared for a bold line of employment. Through electives and internships, SMSU students gain a broad array of useful skills to apply toward a career in law enforcement, corrections, or areas of criminology.
Learn more about Southeast Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice Curriculum
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PEMBROKE
ONLINE B.A./B.S.BA OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice provides an online bachelor’s that gives students “classroom and real-life experiences designed to stimulate critical thought about the social environment.” Undergrads are encouraged to add a minor in areas such as Substance Abuse, Medical Sociology, or Community Development (as well as others) to further refine their study of the field.
Campus Location: Pembroke, NC
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal and state grants; student employment programs; federal and private/alternative loans; institutional scholarship opportunities; Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 80.7%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts representing an exemplary GPA, and SAT/ACT scores.
Program Options:
- Sociology (also available as a minor)
- Criminal Justice (also available as a minor)
- Substance Abuse (minor)
- Medical Sociology (minor)
- Community Development (minor)
Degree Outcomes:
Students are released from this program with an extremely well-founded knowledge of the discipline. Having gained formidable experience in internships and real-world scenarios, graduates of this online program can enter the workforce with confidence.
Learn more about the University of North Carolina-Pembroke’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice Online Degree Programs
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
ONLINE B.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT-CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
Colorado State University-Global Campus offers distance education students a huge array of specializations through which they will refine their undergraduate criminal justice program. In any one of the eighteen impressive areas, students will gain a thorough professional education.
Campus Location: Greenwood Village, CO
Accreditation: North Central Association of College and Schools
Types of Aid: Federal grants and loans; employer reimbursement; institutional, alternative, and outside scholarships; Military and Veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 82.6%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, official high school transcripts representing a GPA of at least 2.3/GED transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores.
Program Options:
- Business Administration
- Computer Programming
- Criminal Forensics
- Data Management and Analysis
- Emergency Management
- Finance
- Foundations of Accounting
- Healthcare Management
- Human Resources and Organizational Development
- Information Technology Management
- Information Technology Operations
- Marketing
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Public and Non-Profit Management
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Strategic Communications
Degree Outcomes:
In order to further ensure career success upon graduation, CSU-GC has implemented several Awards of Completion and Skills Endorsements that are “specific to our programs of study, spotlighting the knowledge, skills, and abilities that hiring managers find essential to success in the field.”
Learn more about Colorado State University’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
ONLINE B.S. OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Program Standouts:
In the University of Louisville’s online Bachelor in Criminal Justice program, students are “actively engaged in the learning process [and] gain theoretical knowledge and applied skills.” Students undergo training in “core competencies” that are individually emphasized in different courses.
Campus Location: Louisville, KY
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Types of Aid: Institutional, state, alternative, and outside scholarship opportunities; federal and alternative loans; federal and institutional grants; student employment programs; tuition waivers; various payment plans; numerous Military benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 75.3%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official high school transcripts, as well as any applicable transfer credits.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Law Enforcement in the United States
- Criminal Law and Evidence
- Criminal Behavior
Degree Outcomes:
This program is designed to enhance/establish exemplary performance in the discipline, and also prepares students for prestigious master’s programs that will further define their capabilities in a number of areas.
Learn more about the University of Louisville’s Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I earn an online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree? Yes…
Earning an online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree can prepare a student for a plethora of career opportunities. In addition, this impressive degree is generally available through an online format. You can expect your degree program to combine the study of human behavior with the study of criminology, including the psychology of a violent offender or the mindset of a shoplifter.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) allow each student the opportunity to attend classes online conveniently. You will need a high-speed Internet, speakers, DVD-ROM drive, as well as, a microphone and printer. You will be expected to participate in video conferencing and online discussion boards. Many online courses utilize crime scene simulations as a teaching tool. You will easily have access to communication with faculty and fellow students. An online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree will take approximately four years to complete. An internship may be required for graduation.
Coursework will include classwork in criminal law, juvenile justice, criminal procedures, correctional facilities, ethical issues, criminal justice administration, and policing methods. You’ll also focus on homeland security and disaster preparation, the U.S. court system, research and statistics in criminal justice, as well as, social psychology and many other topics.
Would you like to further your education in criminal justice? Please consider earning your master’s degree in this field if you would like to pursue a related career choice in criminal justice, as online master’s degree courses are also available.
What can I do with my online Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice?
There are many career choices to consider; however, perhaps one of the most popular is a police officer or private investigator. With an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you may also contemplate a career as a crime analyst, U.S. marshal, or an immigration inspector. Other career choices include a drug enforcement administration agent, FBI agent, paralegal, or if you’re interested in forensics, perhaps working in a crime lab is for you!
As of May 2019, the BLS stated that the average salary for a police officer or detective was $65,170 annually; however, the highest 10% earned more than $109,620 per year, depending on experience and job location.
If I want to be a lawyer, should I pursue an online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree to get me started? That’s a wonderful idea; however…
Becoming a lawyer is a lengthy process, without a doubt. But to begin your career, you should consider earning an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Although this type of degree is not a requirement for admission into a law school program, it is most beneficial obviously. As you learn about the court system and the psychology behind the criminal mind, your online distance learning program will prepare you for law school.
However, on the flip side… suppose you don’t make it through law school. What if you change your mind or it’s just not your cup of tea? Is a degree in criminal justice a degree you can fall back on? Earning an online bachelor’s degree in another career field is often accepted and encouraged by the American Bar Association and should not affect your abilities to get into law school, as long as you meet other GPA and testing requirements.
As you ponder your future as a lawyer, you should consider that earning an online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree will provide you with an excellent foundation for a career in law. However, also consider a second career choice when deciding on a bachelor’s degree program that is right for you… just in case you need something to fall back on!
“The safety of the people shall be the highest law.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman Lawyer and Philosopher