Want to get a Top Online Criminal Justice Degree? There are very good online sources to get this degree. An Online Criminal Justice Degree prepares you to work for the government at all levels in a variety of roles. You could also work in the legal profession.
Depending on the job, criminal justice graduates earn between $52,000 and $126,000 per year according to the Bureau of labors statistics.
Before talking about the best online criminal justice degree, let’s take a look at the various types of Criminal Justice degrees.
Types of Online Criminal Justice Degrees
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- Criminal Justice
- Corrections
- Emergency Management
- Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement
While all of these subjects are related, each will prepare you for a different career.
Criminal Justice
If you want to protect the innocent and put criminals behind bars, you should consider pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
This degree will teach you everything you need to know about the criminal justice system, specifically how its three major institutions law enforcement, corrections, and the courts work.
Corrections
If you believe that criminal offenders should be allowed to rehabilitate themselves, you should consider pursuing a degree in corrections.
You can not only get a good-paying job, but you can also put your conflict-resolution skills to the test and even help convicts get back on track.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
You’ve probably fantasized about becoming a crime scene investigator. While the job is far more difficult than what is often depicted on television, there is no doubt that being a crime scene investigator is one of the more interesting jobs available.
A candidate for a CSI degree should be analytical, organized, methodical, and hardworking. Ethics, psychology, criminal justice, chemistry, physics, and legal studies are all common subjects covered in CSI degrees.
Emergency Management
If you want to help people during disasters like tornadoes, wildfires, and storms, consider getting a degree in emergency management.
You may also be interested in this field if you enjoy assisting people in preparing for natural or man-made disasters.
With a degree in emergency management, you could work for government or private organizations such as the Red Cross or the Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security
If you are interested in identifying, mitigating, and controlling national security risks, a degree in homeland security may be of interest to you.
A homeland security degree can lead to a job in law enforcement, but it can also lead to jobs in criminal justice, emergency response, and cybersecurity, among other fields.
Law Enforcement
A degree in law enforcement can help you prepare for a lucrative career in criminal justice.
A law enforcement degree can provide you with the knowledge, training, and qualifications you need to work as a police officer, detective, or probation or parole officer, among other things.
Investigative techniques, modern policing, law enforcement operations, and criminal investigations are likely courses you’d take if you pursued a law enforcement degree.
Salary of Criminal Justice Degree
There are lots of professions tied to a criminal justice degree. Some of the highest-paying professions you can get with this degree are shown below;
- Lawyer
- FBI Agent
- Detective and Criminal Investigator
- Arbitrator
- Police Officer
- Forensic Analyst
- Probation Officer
- Private Detective and Investigator
- Paralegal
The average annual salaries of these professions range from $52,000 to as high as $127,000.
The Best Online Criminal Justice Degree
Some of the top universities offering these types of degrees online are;
Arizona State University
A BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice is available at Arizona State University. The program is 120 credit hours long and consists of 40 classes, each lasting 7.5 weeks.
Students with a GPA of 3.40 or higher are eligible to apply for the accelerated criminal justice degree program, which allows them to complete both the BS and MA in just 5 years.
The Higher Learning Committee has accredited Arizona State University’s BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Ball State University
Ball State University offers a BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology with the unique feature of allowing you to tailor your degree to your desired career path.
This program is ideal for those working in criminology and criminal justice who want to complete their degree while balancing family and work obligations.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited BSU’s BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
Bellvue University
A BS in Criminal Justice and Emergency Management is available at Bellevue University. The degree requires 127 credit hours and is available both on campus and online.
This is ideal for those with deep-seated values such as justice, integrity, and honesty. Students can learn about corrections, law enforcement, and the legal system.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Bellevue University’s BS in Emergency Management program.
Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University provides a BS in Criminal Justice that is partially online. The final two years of the BS are entirely online. Students pursuing this degree may specialize in Corrections, Law Enforcement, Victimology, or Tribal Justice.
The program is entirely online, with the option of attending on-campus classes as well.
Bemidji State University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Central Methodist Unversity
Central Methodist University has both a BA and a BS in Criminal Justice programs. This program covers a wide range of topics, including profiling, serial crime, and American society law. Students have the opportunity to develop the skills required to become professionals in the real world.
Policing, criminal law, and the entire legal system are among the topics covered.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited and/or recognized CMU’s BS in Criminal Justice.
Colorado State University
A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is available at Colorado State University. This is a 120-credit-hour program that teaches students the knowledge and skills required to work in the criminal justice field.
Students can learn law enforcement, management, and other skills to help industry agencies run smoothly.
This institution is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Crown College
Crown College offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice as well as a Bachelor of Science in Disaster and Emergency Management. This degree is ideal for anyone interested in working in the expanding and exciting field of criminal justice.
The program here is Christ-centered and provides students with a broad overview of criminal justice, giving them multiple entry points to begin their careers.
Crown College’s BS in Disaster and Emergency Management program is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University has a BA and a BS in Criminal Justice programs. Students in these programs learn about American crime and the criminal justice system in general.
Students in this program train for careers in the legal system, law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, social services, and other fields.
Drury University
Drury University provides three distinct options. There are three bachelor’s degrees available: one in criminal justice, one in emergency management, and one in law enforcement.
Students who are certain about which areas of criminal justice they want to pursue may find these specific programs of interest. Students who are still undecided may benefit from the Criminal Justice program.
Drury University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission for its programs in emergency management and law enforcement.
Granite State College
Granite State College provides an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. The program is intended to prepare students for careers in corrections, parole, advocacy, and probation, among other fields.
The program is unique in that students can demonstrate their level of knowledge and have it applied to their credit. Students with work or volunteer experience and training can earn credit hours for these activities.
Granite State College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get a Criminal Justice Degree Online?
Yes, you can earn a Criminal Justice degree online. There are numerous colleges and universities across the country that offer online criminal justice degrees.
The coursework for these programs is of the same caliber as on-campus classes. You will also have the same professional opportunities as those who pursue criminal justice degrees on campus.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Criminal Justice Degree Online?
The length of time it takes to complete an online Criminal Justice degree depends on the level of degree you want to pursue. You can earn a certificate program in criminal justice that takes 6 to 12 months to complete. However, this may not be sufficient to land you a job after graduation.
What Is the Best Online College for Criminal Justice?
A regionally accredited online college is the best option for a criminal justice degree.
Other factors to consider when selecting an online college for criminal justice degrees include tuition fees, faculty longevity and credentials, and overall graduation rate.
