The 30 Best Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Programs

An online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice provides graduates the opportunity to compete for the large number of criminal justice jobs available across the nation. While the qualifications for these positions vary by the agency or company, a college degree is a big plus.

The increasingly popular online Criminal Justice programs provide an overview of the criminal justice system. The programs examine criminal behavior in relation to law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and society. Criminal Justice classes online explore areas including:

 

In addition to core criminal justice subjects, the programs also typically cover statistics and research methods, multicultural understanding, and political issues.

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Concentrations

For more degree and career information, skip down to these topics:

• What careers can I get with a Criminal Justice degree?
• How much do Criminal Justice graduates make?

See also: What can I do with a Criminal Justice or Law degree?

Bachelor in Criminal Justice Degree Program Ranking Guidelines

We selected the online Criminal Justice programs based on the quality of the program, the types of online classes for Criminal Justice offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing quality online degree programs.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:

The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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The Best Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Programs

1University of Cincinnati – School of Criminal Justice

(Cincinnati, Ohio)

The University of Cincinnati (UC), a public research university founded in 1819, is among the largest universities in Ohio with more than 40,000 students enrolled. Part of the University System of Ohio, UC offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and certificates. UC offers a wide variety of degree programs through Cincinnati Online.

The completely online Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice employs an interdisciplinary approach to the study of criminal justice and immerses students in the fields of sociology, criminology, psychology, and law.

UC’s online Criminal Justice degree prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, security, and safety. The well-rounded curriculum includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Criminology
• Introduction to Courts
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Juvenile Justice System
• Corrections in America
• Criminal Punishment
• Introduction to Criminal Investigations

The university encourages students to complete service learning projects as elective courses. These involve participation in community-based projects which allow students to gain a deeper understanding of program content while fostering their sense of civic responsibility. Service learning projects allow students to gain meaningful hands-on experience while earning their degree online.

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2Washington State University – Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

(Pullman, Washington)

Washington State University (WSU), a non-profit, public research university founded in 1890, enrolls about 28,000 students. A land-grant university, WSU offers 200 fields of study leading to bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees.

WSU boasts the second-oldest academic program in criminal justice. WSU established the founding chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Through its Global Campus, WSU offers an online Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice which students can complete with 49 credit hours if they have transferable core classes.

Students in the online Criminal Justice degree must complete the following five core courses:

• Introduction to the Administration of Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Criminological Theory
• Crime Control Policies
• Criminal Law or Criminal Procedure
• Senior Seminar: Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice

Electives include the following options: Juvenile Justice and Corrections, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, Juvenile Delinquency, Law of Evidence and Criminal Procedure, and Sociology of Race Relations. Notable professors who regularly assist law and corrections organizations teach all the courses.

Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

3University of Missouri at St. Louis – Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

(St. Louis, Missouri)

The University of Missouri at St. Louis, or UMSL, is the newest of the four public research universities which comprise the University of Missouri system. With approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate enrollees, UMSL is the largest university in the Saint Louis metropolitan area. Students can choose from a wide variety of bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education, the College of Nursing, and the College of Optometry. UMSL offers many degree programs students can complete without ever visiting the campus.

The online Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice has an interdisciplinary curriculum which draws from the fields of criminology, social science, law, public administration, and corrections. The program prepares students for a variety of career possibilities. Additionally, UMSL’s bachelor degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides a platform of knowledge for students considering law school in the future.

Students must complete 42 credit hours in general education courses plus 37 credit hours in courses within the Criminal Justice degree online program. Core courses within the program include the following:

• Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Theories of Crime
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Justice Policy
• Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The University of Missouri at St. Louis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

4Pennsylvania State University – Penn State World Campus

(University Park, Pennsylvania)

Pennsylvania State University, most commonly referred to as Penn State, is a public, land-grant, research-intensive university with 24 campuses located throughout Pennsylvania. Between all of its campuses, the school has about 100,000 students. In addition to the many bricks-and-mortar campuses, the Penn State World Campus, established in 1998, allows students from around the world to pursue their educations at the institution.

The Penn State World Campus Criminal Justice classes online includes 120 credit hours.

Topics covered within the criminal justice classes include the following:

• Criminology
• Introduction to law, policing, and corrections in America
• Ethics in criminal justice
• Security and police administration
• Alternatives to incarceration
• Aspects of the juvenile justice system
• Concepts of social science research

The online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice prepares students to move into the fields of protective services, law and corrections, crime-related prevention and support, security management, and court administration.

Penn State World Campus is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The World Campus shares this accreditation.

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5Sam Houston State University – College of Criminal Justice

(Huntsville, Texas)

Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is the third-oldest higher learning institution in the state of Texas. The total enrollment across all of SHSU’s graduate and undergraduate programs exceeds 20,000. In addition to over 80 undergraduate, 59 master, and 8 doctoral degree programs, SHSU also offers more than 20 online bachelor and graduate degrees.

SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice is nationally recognized and is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. The online Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice allows students to get a criminal justice education with maximum flexibility. Some of the popular web-based courses include:

• Cyber Crime
• Global Terrorism
• Forensic Science
• Victimology
• Violent Offenders
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• White Collar Crime
• Criminal Investigation

As part of the 120 credit hours required for graduation, the program encourages seniors to earn credits through a hands-on internship. An internship prepares students for careers in the criminal justice field.

Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.

6Arizona State University – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

(Tempe, Arizona)

Arizona State University (ASU), a public research school consisting of five campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area, is the largest public university in the nation. ASU is widely acclaimed for its contributions to research in a wide variety of fields.

The online Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice consists of 120 credit hours. The program covers the policies and practices of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts.

The online Criminal Justice degree includes courses such as:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Corrections
• Domestic Violence
• Gangs
• White Collar Crime

These online classes for Criminal Justice and others within the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice online degree program help students develop the research, analytical, and communications skills necessary to succeed in a criminal justice occupation. Many graduates use the knowledge base they developed at ASU to move on to advanced degree programs in law, criminology and criminal justice, or other social science disciplines.

Arizona State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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7University of Nebraska at Omaha – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

(Omaha, Nebraska)

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), a public research university founded in 1908, offers over 200 programs of study. UNO offers numerous distance learning programs.

The university designed the fully online 120-hour Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program for working professionals and traditional students who require flexibility. The program prepares students for careers such as police officers, DEA agents, probation officers, or correctional counselors.

The online Criminal Justice degree includes these required classes:

• Police and Society
• Survey of Criminal Courts
• Survey of Corrections
• Criminal Justice Research Methods
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Justice Statistics

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

8University of Central Florida – Department of Criminal Justice

(Orlando, Florida)

The University of Central Florida (UCF), a public research university, is one of the largest schools in the country with a total enrollment of more than 63,000 students. The school opened its doors for the first time in 1968. The university presently offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. UCF Online provides numerous degree programs.

The online Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice provides students a broad understanding of crime and society’s control mechanisms.

The university designed the Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree program’s curriculum to properly prepare students for jobs within local, county, state, and federal justice agencies, private security organizations, and other related fields, as well as to prepare students to continue on to graduate school.

The online Criminal Justice degree includes elective courses such as:

• Crime and the Media
• Crime Mapping and Pattern Analysis
• Criminal Justice Ethics
• Cultural Diversity and Criminal Justice
• White Collar Crime
• Drugs and Crime
• Women and Crime
• Domestic Violence and the Criminal Justice System

The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

9University of Oklahoma – College of Liberal Studies

(Norman, Oklahoma)

The University of Oklahoma (UO), a large public research university founded in 1890, provides a variety of degree program options, including 152 baccalaureate, 160 master, and 75 doctorate programs. The university has approximately 31,000 students.

The 100-percent online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree covers the theoretical, ethical, and evolving real-world issues in the law enforcement field. Students have the opportunity to develop a solid understanding of the justice system while learning how to adapt to ever-changing law enforcement issues.

The Criminal Justice degree online requires students to complete 120 credit hours. The online classes for Criminal Justice include:

• Foundations of Ethics in Liberal Studies
• Theories of Criminal Behavior
• Deviance and Social Control
• Comparative Justice Systems
• Statistics in Criminal Justice
• Study-in-Depth Prospectus
• Introduction to Forensic Science/Criminalistics

The program includes a variety of electives.

Due to the accelerated pace of these courses, students can complete the program in 18 months.

The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

10University of Louisville – Department of Criminal Justice

(Louisville, Kentucky)

The University of Louisville, a public university and a member of the Kentucky state university system, has more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

The University of Louisville offers an online Bachelor of Science degree program in Criminal Justice designed for individuals with an associate degree or equivalent credits already earned from a regionally accredited institution.

The online Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree includes courses such as:

• Crime and Justice in the United States
• Law Enforcement in the United States
• Corrections in the United States
• Criminal Behavior
• Criminal Procedure
• Juvenile Justice
• Criminal Law and Evidence

The Criminal Justice degree online prepares students for careers as police officers, special agents, criminal investigators, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, correctional treatment specialists, and more.

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

11University of the Cumberlands

(Williamsburg, Kentucky)

The University of the Cumberlands (UC), founded in 1889, has an affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention. The school offers bachelor, master, and doctoral programs to approximately 6,000 enrollees. UC provides numerous programs students can complete entirely online.

UC’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program requires 128 credit hours for completion.

Students must complete six of the common core courses listed below to complete the Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree program:

• Foundations in Justice Administration
• Criminological Theories in Justice Administration
• Research, Design and Analysis
• Statistical Applications in Justice Administration
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Justice Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Leadership Fundamentals
• Administrative Law and Management

As students move further into the online Criminal Justice program, they can select from the following specializations: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Family Services, Investigations, Addiction Studies, and Kentucky Law Enforcement Council.

The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

12University of Colorado Denver – School of Public Affairs

(Denver, Colorado)

The University of Colorado Denver, a public research university founded in 1912 and part of the University of Colorado system, enrolls approximately 18,000 students across its two physical campuses. The University of Colorado Denver is the largest university in the state of Colorado. CU Online administers online programs.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree consists of research and career-focused classes. Award-winning faculty teach the classes. The program assists students in developing their critical-thinking skills.

Students receive real-world learning through an internship program which connects students with agencies in the criminal justice field.

Below is a sampling of web-based courses available to students:

• Criminology & Criminal Justice: An Overview
• Crime Theory and Causes
• Statistics for Criminal Justice
• Corrections
• Special Topics in Criminal Justice

The University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

13Colorado State University–Global Campus

(Greenwood Village, Colorado)

Colorado State University Global Campus, or CSU-Global, is the online campus of the public Colorado State University system. The university, established in 2007, caters to non-traditional and adult professional students. CSU-Global has more than 12,000 students enrolled in 100-percent online undergraduate and graduate programs.

CSU-Global offers a comprehensive online Bachelor of Science degree program in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration. Students learn how to make informed, calculated decisions while leading a criminal justice system. The experienced faculty provides students with a foundation on the ethical issues and controversies they will likely have to address in their careers.

The 120-credit online Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree program requires students to take the following core courses:

• Applying Leadership Principles
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement and American Policing
• Introduction to Crime and Deviance
• Research Methods for the Criminal Justice Professional
• Laws of Evidence
• Fundamentals of Law
• Criminal Justice and the Constitution
• Ethics for the Criminal Justice Professional
• Capstone – Application of Criminal Justice Knowledge and Skills

Students can also enroll in the optional Criminal Justice Practicum course, designed for students already working within the career field and allows them to earn credits while working. This opportunity gives professionals a chance to apply what they learn in school directly to their careers.

Colorado State University–Global Campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

14Florida International University – Department of Criminal Justice

(University Park, Florida)

A member of the State University System of Florida, Florida International University (FIU) provides students with 191 programs of study. With a total enrollment of around 54,000 students, FIU is one of the largest schools in the country. The university first opened its doors in 1965.

Through FIU online, the school offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The program provides students a foundation in key crime and justice topics. The program gives students support; each student has his or her own “success coach” to help guide them through the program and into their careers.

Students can take all 120 credits required to complete the online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. The core criminal justice classes:

• Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• Criminal Justice and Public Policy
• Criminal Justice and the Constitution
• Criminological Theory
• Global Terrorism
• Measurement and Analysis in Criminal Justice
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• The Criminal Justice System

The program prepares students for careers in a variety of government agencies, including local police departments, CIA, FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Marshals. The program also prepares students for law school.

Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

15Lamar University – Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice Department

(Beaumont, Texas)

Lamar University (LU), a public research university and part of that joined the Texas State University system, offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university has an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students.

The university designed the 120-credit online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program to help law enforcement professionals quickly complete their degree through providing accelerated courses and Police Training Academy credit (TCOLE Credit) for academic credit. The university reports graduates of the program have future career paths including national security, law enforcement administration, forensics, and law.

All students have access to multiple internship opportunities which provide hands-on, real-world experience.

Some of the Criminal Justice classes online required in the online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree include:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Court Systems and Practice
• Correction Systems and Practices
• Police Systems and Practices
• Crime and Criminals
• Ethical Issues
• Responses to Crime

Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

16University of Massachusetts Lowell – School of Criminology and Justice Studies

(Lowell, Massachusetts)

The University of Massachusetts Lowell, or UMass Lowell, an urban public research university, is part of the University of Massachusetts system. Established in 1894, Umass Lowell has about 18,000 students. The university has 122 bachelor, 43 master, and 36 doctoral degree programs.

The 100-percent online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program provides students with a comprehensive liberal arts education in addition to intensive courses in criminal justice.

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell’s online Criminal Justice degree can take the following courses:

• The Criminal Justice System
• Introduction to Homeland Security
• Introduction to Policing
• Introduction to Corrections
• Technology and the Criminal Justice System
• Emergency Management
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Security Management

UMass Lowell’s program allows Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree students to also complete a master’s degree at an accelerated pace. Students can take two graduate classes that count toward the 120 credit hours required for the bachelor degree as well as the 22 credit hours needed to earn a master’s degree.

UMass Lowell is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

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17Loyola University Chicago – School of Continuing and Professional Studies

(Chicago, Illinois)

Loyola University Chicago (LUC), a private, nonprofit Catholic research university founded in 1870, has approximately 15,000 students. The university provides 80 undergraduate and 140 graduate/professional programs. LUC has six campuses located throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Tailored towards individuals already working in the criminal justice field, LUC’s online Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Criminal Justice Leadership helps students increase their knowledge of criminal justice practice and theory.

The number of credit hours needed to complete the degree vary from student to student and depend on how many credits students transfer.

Some web-based courses in the Bachelor of Applied Criminal Justice Leadership program include:

• Ethics, Justice, Leadership
• Cyber Crime Detection and Investigation
• Advanced Criminal Procedure
• Special Topics in Criminal Justice Leadership
• Legal Ethics

These courses prepare students to succeed in career fields which address how criminality impacts people, communities, and society as a whole.

Loyola University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

18University of Wisconsin-Platteville – Department of Criminal Justice

(Platteville, Wisconsin)

A public school, University of Wisconsin–Platteville, or UW–Platteville, offers a variety of bachelor and master degree programs. The school, established in 1866, has a total enrollment of over 8,000 students. In addition to traditional, campus-based programs, UW-Platteville provides distance education programs.

The university’s completely online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree consists of 120 credit hours. Students can complete the degree in as little as two years.

Criminal Justice classes online include the following:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• The Police Function
• Foundations of Corrections
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Justice Seminar

In addition to these and other core courses, students in the online Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree program can also choose from a variety of electives, including Private Security Operations, Juvenile Justice, Community-Based Corrections, and Criminal Procedures and Evidence.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

19California State University San Bernardino – College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

(San Bernadino, California)

California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), established in 1965, is part of the California State University system. The school enrolls close to 18,000 students. Students can choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees and teaching credentials.

CSUSB offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree completion program for busy professionals. Applicants must be upper-division transfer students, fully certified by a California community college, and must have met all lower-division course requirements.

The Criminal Justice degree online provides courses such as:

• Police and Police Systems
• Justice and the Media
• Expository Writing
• Domestic Violence and the Criminal Justice System
• Integrative Studies in Criminal Justice
• Race and Racism
• Forensic Profiling
• Law and Courts

California State San Bernardino is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

20Portland State University – College of Urban & Public Affairs

(Portland, Oregon)

Portland State University (PSU), a public university founded in 1946, provides a number of undergraduate and graduate degrees to a variety of traditional and non-traditional students. PSU has close to 29,000 graduate and undergraduate students.

Through PSU online, the school offers a Web-based Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program. The school designed the program for working adults seeking education to advance their careers. The program covers criminal behavior in-depth, as well as advanced crime analysis. The program helps students build leadership skills.

The online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice which includes 180 credit hours, provides the following core courses:

• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Policing in America
• Punishment and Corrections
• American Courts
• Theories of Crime
• Crime Control Strategies
• Crime Analysis
• Criminal Justice Research
• Criminal Law and Reasoning

Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

21Liberty University – Helms School of Government

(Lynchburg, Virginia)

Liberty University (LU), a private, nonprofit Christian university, has more than 15,000 students enrolled in traditional on-campus programs, while another 90,000-plus take courses through LU Online. Students can choose from a wide variety of degree programs. Founded in 1971, LU has administered distance education since 1985.

The university provides the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree for experienced professionals and individuals seeking to enter the criminal justice field for the first time.

Students can choose from a number of specializations, including Business Administration and Management, Criminal Psychology, Crime Scene Investigation, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Strategic Intelligence, and Juvenile Justice.

Here is a list of some of the core classes that all students, regardless of specialization, must take to complete the 120-credit-hour Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Administration of Justice Organizations
• Judicial Process
• Criminal Justice Ethics
• Terrorism

The online Criminal Justice degree prepares students to either enter or continue their careers in a variety of fields, including casework, corrections, counseling, juvenile justice, and homeland defense.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

22Southeast Missouri State University – Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology

(Cape Girardeau, Missouri)

Southeast Missouri State University, a public university, offers over 200 areas of study. Established in 1873, the school has a total enrollment of about 12,000 students.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online degree attracts individuals seeking to enter the fields of federal law enforcement, corrections and related services, state law enforcement, security, and local police.

Some of the online classes for Criminal Justice include:

• Juvenile Justice
• Planning and Research in Criminal Justice
• Issues in Justice Administration
• Race, Gender, Class & Crime
• Criminology

Students enrolled in the online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree program can choose from two advising tracks: the Academic/University track and the Law Enforcement Academy track. The former provides students will a well-rounded education in the criminal justice field, while the latter includes basic training for individuals interested in becoming law enforcement officers in Missouri.

Students need 45 credit hours to complete the degree program

Southeast Missouri State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

23Fayetteville State University – Department of Criminal Justice

(Fayetteville, North Carolina)

Fayetteville State University (FSU) has close to 6,000 students. FSU provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Established in 1867, the university is the second-oldest state-supported post-secondary school in North Carolina.

Among its web-based degree program offerings, FSU offers an online Bachelor of Science degree completion program in Criminal Justice.

After students finish their core courses, they can choose from a wide variety of electives, including the following:

• Criminal Law
• Prisons and Society
• Race, Class, and Gender in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice, Organization, Management and Administration
• Criminal Justice Statistics
• Police and Society
• White Collar Crime

Fayetteville State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

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24University of Colorado, Colorado Springs – School of Public Affairs

(Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), founded in 1965, is a campus of the University of Colorado system. UCCS has more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school offers a wide variety of degree programs.

The online 120-credit-hour Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program requires students to complete a minimum of 39 credit hours in criminal justice core courses.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, the Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice provides students with a breadth of knowledge and skills for the criminal justice field. The program also reviews the ethical issues facing professionals in the field.

Some of the core courses from the program:

• Crime Theory and Causes
• Criminal Justice Research Methods
• Statistics for Criminal Justice
• Violence in Society
• Law Enforcement
• Courts and Judicial Process
• Ethics in Criminal Justice

Students who complete the online Criminal Justice program can seek jobs in law enforcement, corrections, courts, and related areas.

The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

25Tiffin University – School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences

(Tiffin, Ohio)

Tiffin University, a private, post-secondary institution founded in 1888, consists of several campuses in Ohio and also offers degree programs online. Tiffin University has approximately 4,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice online degree program provides four different areas of specialization: Corrections, Homeland Security and Terrorism, Justice Administration, and Law Enforcement. With the exception of the Law Enforcement specialization (which requires 122 credits), students must complete 121 credit hours to graduate. Regardless of the chosen specialization, students must take the following core courses:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedures
• Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Research Design

The online Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice prepares students for a variety of jobs. Many students continue their education and attain an advanced degree.

Tiffin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

26Troy University – College of Arts and Sciences

(Troy, Alabama)

Troy University, a public institution, opened its doors in 1887. Troy University is the flagship school of the Troy University system which consists of three other campuses. The current enrollment is about 7,000 students. The university provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The criminal justice program is one of the largest and most popular programs at Troy. Although not required, students can choose either the Homeland Security or Digital Forensics concentration.

Instructors with real-life experience teach the courses within the Bachelor of Criminal Justice program. The program provide students with the knowledge and skills to work with local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies.

All students must take the following courses:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Survey of Law Enforcement
• Survey of Corrections
• Survey of Law and Criminal Procedure
• Criminology
• Constitutional Law

Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

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27University of Louisiana Monroe – Department of Criminal Justice

(Monroe, Louisiana)

The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM), established in 1931, has close to 9,000 students. ULM, a public university, is part of the University of Louisiana system. In addition to offering a host of traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the school offers a number of online programs through eULM.

ULM has the oldest criminal justice degree program in the state of Louisiana.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree program provides students in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system with a focus on the police, the courts, and corrections.

The university prepares students for many jobs within the criminal justice field, including forensic science technician, police officer, private detective, fish and game warden, fraud investigator, and immigration and customs enforcer.

Some of the required upper level courses include:

• Criminal Law
• Criminal Justice Procedure and Evidence
• Theories of Crime and Delinquency
• Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
• Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice
• Management of Criminal Justice Agencies

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

28Fort Hays State University – Department of Criminal Justice

(Hays, Kansas)

Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a public university founded in 1902, has about 14,000 students. Between the 30 academic departments, FHSU provides more than 60 academic programs for undergraduates and another 19 for graduate students.

FHSU offers an online Bachelor of Science degree and an online Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Both programs require 124 credit hours. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires students complete 10 of these credit hours in a foreign language.

Students can choose from a variety of courses, including:

• Justice in the Information Age
• Administration of Justice Systems
• Corporate Crime and Deviance
• Comparative Justice Systems
• Introduction to Private Security/Crime Prevention

Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

29Concordia University Saint Paul – Department of Psychology and Social Behavioral Science

(Saint Paul, Minnesota)

Concordia University Saint Paul, a private liberal arts school, has a total enrollment of close to 4,000 students. The university, founded in 1893, is a member of the Concordia University System. The organization has an affiliation with the Lutheran Church.

The university offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree program tailored towards professionals already working in the field. The flexible, 40-credit-hour program gives students a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system.

The following is a list of some of the courses students must complete:

• Information Literacy in Criminal Justice
• Systems Thinking in Criminal Justice
• Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice
• Diversity in Criminal Justice
• Philosophy of Values & Ethics
• Inside the Criminal Mind

Near the end of the program, students must enroll in the Criminal Justice Portfolio. This final course serves as a capstone and allows students to incorporate everything they learned in their classes.

Concordia University Saint Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

30Indiana Wesleyan University – Division of Behavioral Sciences

(Marion, Indiana)

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), a private, evangelical Christian University established in 1920, has a total enrollment of over 15,000 students. IWU is the largest private university in Indiana. The school offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

IWU’s completely online Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice degree program includes 120 credit hours. Students can learn at their own pace and potentially complete the program in 18 months.

Core courses include the following:

• Youth and Crime
• Diversity in Criminal Justice
• Court Procedures
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Forensics
• Probation and Parole
• Victimology
• Restorative Justice
• Cybercrime

Students must complete the Capstone in Criminal Justice course near the end of the program. This course allows students to put everything they learned throughout the Bachelor of Criminal Justice program into action. They plan, research, and draft a scholarly paper about a criminal justice topic of their choice.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Important Criminal Justice Education and Career Information

Criminal Justice Careers

A Bachelor in Criminal Justice degree prepares students for a wide range of criminal justice careers in the private sector, as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies. The majority of graduates use the degree to begin their career in law enforcement, criminal law, corrections, or social work.

Some of the popular careers in criminal justice with a bachelor’s degree include police officer, detective, corporate security specialist, sheriff, marshal, corrections officer, DEA agent, INS agent, ATF agent, Homeland Security agent, and CIA agent.

See also: What can I do with a Criminal Justice or Law degree?

 

Criminal Justice Careers in Government Agencies

 

Criminal Justice Careers in Private and Nonprofit Organizations

Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree Salary Information

• Correctional Officer or Jailer: $46,750
• Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher: $67,040
• Detective or Criminal Investigator: $81,490
• First-Line Supervisor of Police Officers and Detectives: $88,400
• Paralegal: $53,180
• Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer: $62,760
• Private Detective and Investigator: $53,530
• Probation Officer: $55,380
• Transit and Railroad Police: $67,850

(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331011.htm, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251111.htm, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211092.htm — The salaries represent an estimate of the national mean annual wage for each profession.)