Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Criminology encompasses everything from forensics to drug rehabilitation and incarceration policy. Law enforcement officers of all stripes are seasoned in the country’s strongest criminal justice programs and, conveniently for students, many top schools now offer a bachelor’s in criminal justice entirely online.

Esteemed online criminal justice programs connect students with instructors boasting professional experience in courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities and private firms. Top ranked institutions have successfully modified the classroom environment to suit virtual formats, ensuring that distance learners can access a premier education in the field.

Online programs in criminal justice (CJ) allow working adults to start a new career or to increase their credentials in their current profession. An online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can also prepare students for criminology graduate studies.

Students graduating from criminal justice programs are entering a growing field. Through 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% hiring increase in paralegal positions, a 31% increase in counseling jobs for substance abuse and behavioral disorders, and a 12% increase in security and surveillance jobs. Positions in law enforcement and other branches of criminal justice are growing as well.

Finding the right online criminal justice program can seem daunting. Prospective students must evaluate hundreds of options from a diverse set of schools. Read on to see our list of the best online criminal justice programs in the country, and to learn more about each school’s academic specialties and online platforms.

An online bachelor’s in criminal justice qualifies graduates for positions in law enforcement at all administrative levels. Recent graduates often obtain employment in police forces, correctional facilities, private security firms and probation offices. The mean salary for criminal justice jobs is $43,980, a number which can substantially rise through promotion, graduate education or by working overtime.

Criminal justice is an expansive field, and it’s important for students to plan their career path in school. If you want to work in forensics, for example, you’ll need to have laboratory experience and a different course load than if you are planning on becoming a detective. Internships can also help you enhance your resume, providing you with direct experience in your field of choice while expanding your network of contacts and increasing your job opportunities. Some schools even accept course credit through internships, making them all the more prudent.

While it’s possible to have a rewarding career with only a bachelor’s degree, many of the highest-paying positions are reserved for applicants with master’s degrees in criminal justice. It’ll be important to consider graduate school when planning your future: judges, police supervisors and agency directors generally require master’s degrees for consideration.

If you’re interested in studying and working in criminal justice, you should identify which subfield interests you as quickly as possible. Choose a school offering classes or programs pertaining to your interests, and pursue internships early and often to boost your credentials and prepare yourself for the career you’ve always wanted.