Online Criminal Justice Degrees: Finding the Right Program

Criminal Justice Degree Basics

If you’re thinking about how you can contribute to your community in a significant way, exploring a criminal justice degree program may lead you to a rewarding career. Whether you choose work in law enforcement, corrections, or social services, a criminal justice education helps you learn the nature of different crimes, how crime impacts individual victims and entire communities, and the strategies used to prevent criminal activities. As you advance in your studies, you can specialize in an area of crime, as well as learn how crime research is conducted and how it informs data-based decisions that impact the public.

Still interested? Let’s take a deeper look at career paths in criminal justice and see which one might be the right fit.

Career Options for Criminal Justice Students

One thing that makes earning a criminal justice degree so attractive is that it prepares you for an array of job opportunities. Below we look at the categories of criminal justice careers to help you choose your focus. We’ve also included specific roles found in each group.

More Criminal Justice Resources From STEPS

Curious about what it takes to pursue a career in criminal justice? From advanced degree options to step-by-step career guides, these STEPS resources offer the insights you need. Use them to stay informed and confident as you work toward your educational and professional goals.

Explore Criminal Justice Programs by State

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More Criminal Justice Guides

• Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Careers for Women
• Criminal Justice Doctorate & PhD Programs
• Essential Skills for Criminal Justice Students
• Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
• Most Affordable Criminal Justice Degrees
• Resources for Criminal Justice Students
• Scholarships for Criminal Justice Students

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Criminal Justice Degrees by Level: Which Do You Need?

Now that you’ve reviewed the jobs you can pursue in the criminal justice field, it’s time to learn more about the degrees and certificates that can help you achieve your career goals. Below we’ll show you what each criminal justice degree entails and provide information on a standout school for each level.

Undergraduate Certificates

Online schools usually offer two types of undergraduate criminal justice certificate programs. General studies certificates provide students with an overview of the criminal justice system’s three primary branches: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. This introduction to the field helps students determine if this area of study is right for them.

The second type, vocational subject certificates, also introduce students to criminal justice but focus on specific areas such as policing, corrections, or private security. Undergraduate certificates usually require a year or less to complete and can be a sufficient requirement for some entry-level positions in criminal justice. Credits earned through a certificate program can often be applied to an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Undergraduate Certificate Program

Thomas Edison State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice

This program is an introduction to criminal justice from both a theoretical and practical perspective with courses in criminology, courts and criminal procedure, law enforcement, and corrections. Credits can be transferred to a degree program if you choose to continue your education.

Associate Degrees

Online criminal justice associate degree programs offer students a more comprehensive understanding of the system beyond introductory-level coursework. These programs cover topics such as crime scene investigation, police studies, corrections, ethics, and constitutional law. There are also general education courses in math, science, history, sociology, and English composition. Associate degree programs in criminal justice usually last two years, although accelerated formats may be available for completion in 18 months or less.

Earning an associate degree in criminal justice prepares graduates for various career opportunities, including positions as investigators, police officers, probation officers, and corrections officers. Often, credits earned through an associate degree program can be applied to a criminal justice bachelor’s.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Associate Degree Program

Purdue Global’s Associate in Criminal Justice

The online criminal justice associate degree at Purdue Global is designed to help students understand the issues and challenges the professionals face in the criminal justice system. Coursework covers terrorism, corrections and rehabilitation, criminal investigation, and criminology. In addition, the program requires that students complete a capstone project for real-world experience.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice are more likely to secure higher-paying jobs, experience greater career advancement opportunities, and enjoy a more extensive range of job options than those without a degree. Bachelor’s degree programs in criminal justice include both general education coursework and major-specific classes in areas such as criminology, corrections, governmental policy, and crime prevention. Many programs offer various concentrations that enable students to customize their studies to suit career objectives and personal interests.

Online criminal justice bachelor’s degree programs typically require four years of full-time study. Accelerated programs can be completed in two years or less in some cases, depending on previously earned college credits transferred into the program.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

The Pennsylvania State University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

This bachelor’s degree program emphasizes crime control and criminal behavior, helping you understand not only how crime can be prevented and handled when it occurs, but also how those who commit crime think and carry out their activities. You will gain knowledge of how crimes are studied and measured, which provides a realistic, data-driven look at offenses.

Graduate Certificate Programs

If you’re already in a criminal justice job and you want to advance without earning another degree, it may make sense to explore graduate criminal justice certificate programs. Graduate certificates are designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in a specific area of the field. Certificate programs typically cater to applicants with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related discipline, offering coursework in criminal justice and criminology, homeland security, cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity, and security management. Graduate-level certificates usually require a year or less to complete.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Graduate Certificate Program

East Texas A&M University’s Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate

During this one-year program, students take advanced coursework on criminal law and the courts, criminology, and law enforcement. Designed for working professionals, the program offers specialization options, and credits earned can be applied to the school’s applied criminology master’s degree program.

Master’s Degrees

The criminal justice master’s degree program is intended for experienced professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, skills, and credentials to qualify for advanced positions within the criminal justice field. Completing a master’s degree prepares students for mid- and top-level jobs in leadership, management, and administration. Certain programs offer concentration in areas such as crime analysis, cybersecurity, forensic science, and strategic management, while others allow students to customize their coursework to concentrate on a specialized area of interest.

Online criminal justice master’s degree programs are available for both full- and part-time study. Full-time programs typically require two years to complete, but some can be completed in 18 months or less depending on transferable college credits.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Master’s Degree Program

The University of Oklahoma’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice

This graduate degree is designed for those in the criminal justice field who want to ascend to leadership positions. The curriculum focuses on the diverse challenges for criminal justice professionals and the ever-changing landscape. Specific classes cover drug abuse policy, ethical decision-making techniques, and restorative justice.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral degrees in criminal justice include the Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) or PhD in Criminal Justice. DCJ programs typically prioritize leadership and management skills to prepare students for top administrative roles. Criminal justice PhD programs focus on research, theory, and policy for students interested in pursuing academic research on college campuses and in academic settings. Not all online programs adhere to the same criteria, so it is crucial to understand the focus of any program you’re considering regardless of degree title.

Online doctoral degree programs in criminal justice are intensive and highly competitive and require applicants to hold a previously earned master’s degree with a good grade point average. Students should expect to dedicate from three to five years to complete all coursework and dissertation requirements. A small number of online programs admit students with only a bachelor’s degree, but these programs typically take five to seven years for completion.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Doctoral Degree Program

University of North Georgia’s PhD in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Intelligence

University of North Georgia’s criminal justice doctoral degree prepares students for the rigors of conducting research that is used in the intelligence field. You will learn how research studies are conducted and applied to the needs of the military, as well as other government agencies on the local, state, and federal levels.

Choosing the Right Online Criminal Justice Program

Now that you’ve learned about specific degree programs and have an idea of what to expect for criminal justice studies on all education levels, you probably have more questions about choosing the right criminal justice school. Below are some answers to common criminal justice student questions.

Do I work well under pressure?

Criminal justice professions can be rewarding, but they can also be extremely stressful. You must be able to manage conflict and keep your cool during challenging situations. If you work directly with victims, for example, you are helping people dealing with traumatic experiences and you must keep your emotions under control as you compassionately give them the help they need.

Can I choose a specialization in a criminal justice degree program?

Yes, depending on the level you want to pursue. This is an important consideration to keep in mind as you consider your career options. Generally, you are only able to choose a specialization on the graduate level. Some examples of degree concentrations include forensics, cybersecurity, criminal justice administration, and corrections.

Can criminal justice students take classes online?

Yes, you can take criminal justice classes partially or fully online, depending on the program. Fully online courses are those that can be completed without any required on-campus class attendance or other related in-person activities. Hybrid degree programs are those that feature online coursework but include some form of on-campus or other in-person participation. In-person components may include lectures, seminars, labs, exams, or orientation sessions.

Can I work at my own pace in a criminal justice degree program?

It depends. Asynchronous programs can be accessed at any time and provide flexibility to work at your own pace, which is important if you’re working as you earn your degree. People log in to view lectures and complete assigned readings and other tasks when they choose.

Do criminal justice degree programs provide hands-on training?

An in-person internship, field practicum, or field experience may be a requirement or option depending on the specific online program. This can go a long way toward giving you a realistic look at criminal justice jobs as you apply classroom learning in the real world. In general, fieldwork is typically offered as an option in online criminal justice undergraduate and master’s programs, and participation is highly recommended. Although in-person residencies are frequently required in online doctoral programs in criminal justice, field experience may not be a requirement.

How Much Does a Degree in Criminal Justice Cost?

The cost of an online criminal justice degree program depends on a number of factors. First, as you research programs, think about where the schools are located. Although some schools charge the same amount for all online students, in some cases you may be charged a higher tuition rate for an out-of-state school.

Additionally, you’ll want to pay close attention to the tuition rates of public and private schools. Generally, you can expect to pay much less if you attend a public school in your state of residence than you will at a private college or university.

As you research schools, you’ll find that some charge by the credit while others charge a flat fee per semester or year. Be sure to review the requirements for schools of interest to determine how much you’ll need for your degree program.

Another important consideration is the degree you want to earn. As you move further up in your education, your tuition is likely to significantly increase. As a result, you can expect to pay much more for a graduate degree than an undergraduate.

Answering Common Criminal Justice Student Questions

Is financial aid available for criminal justice students?

Yes, financial aid is available for criminal justice degrees, and you can find funding in several places. The first place to look for scholarships and grants is the school you want to attend. For example, schools like East Carolina University, SUNY Canton, and Gardner-Webb University provide this kind of financial aid which don’t have to be paid back.

In addition, you may be able to find funding from organizations that support criminal justice professionals. Groups like the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute and the North Carolina Department of Justice provide financial aid to contribute to the future of the field. You may also be able to get financial aid from potential employers.

Lastly, be sure to look at state and federal government financial aid. You may be able to obtain scholarships and grants, and if you still need additional money after the awards you receive, you can apply for student loans to make up the difference.

Should I look for an accredited criminal justice program?

Accreditation is important, however, you don’t have to enroll in an accredited degree program to find employment. You may be able to find a program that has been accredited by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), but if not, pay attention to whether or not a school has been accredited by regional organization. Groups such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) evaluate schools based on the quality of their education programs, the experience of their faculty members, and the student services they provide.

Is criminal justice a hard major?

It can be challenging to earn your degree, but like any other major, you can be successful when you put in the work. You will need to achieve an understanding of legal concepts, which will get increasingly complex the further you get into your degree program. Also, you will be challenged to develop communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills.

Is it better to major in criminal justice or criminology?

It depends on the type of job you want to pursue. Although criminal justice is related to criminology, they are not quite the same, so it’s a good idea to understand the difference. Criminal justice programs tend to focus on the procedural part of the field, along with legal concepts. Criminology tends to have a more social science emphasis, so there is a focus on the psychology of crime and its effects on the community, along with the legal and procedural coursework.

Can I continue working full time if I enroll in a criminal justice degree program?

Yes. Online criminal justice degree programs often have part-time study formats, making it easier to continue working full time. Part-time programs allow students more time to complete their degree requirements compared to their full-time counterparts.

Be sure to consider what you want to accomplish before ruling out full-time study. Full-time programs offer the benefit of shorter completion times, particularly for undergraduates eager to launch their careers as soon as possible. For instance, full-time online criminal justice bachelor’s degree programs usually have four-year curriculums for students with no prior college experience. Accelerated bachelor’s programs with a significant number of previously earned college credits may be completed in as little as two years or less.

Making Your Decision

We have covered a lot of ground in this guide, but this is just the beginning of your research. If you’re still deciding whether to pursue a criminal justice career, now is a good time to think about what you want in the years to come and the type of work you can see yourself doing. Also, consider the type of school you want to attend and the degree level. This will help ensure that the time and financial commitment will give you the return on your investment you’re looking for.

STEPS Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

As the number of schools offering online criminal justice degrees continues to increase, it can be difficult to identify the top programs. We have conducted thorough research and analysis on thousands of colleges to identify the best institutions to earn your criminal justice degree online. Our top picks consider only accredited programs, with the highest marks awarded to schools offering affordable prices, robust student support services, and multiple online criminal justice programs. Browse the rankings to learn more about each school and find the online criminal justice degree that meets your needs.