Top 9 Criminal Justice Degree Online Programs

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The need for trained, well-qualified professionals in the broadly defined criminal justice and law enforcement world continues to increase. We take a deep dive into the best online criminal justice programs.

Originally published in June 2023, updated with the latest information in January 2024.


While it is possible to work a criminal justice job without a bachelor’s degree, those earning a criminal justice bachelor’s degree distinguish themselves from their peers and are prepared for a public administrative or managerial role in the long run. Without a full degree, professionals risk career and wage stagnation.

Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the criminal justice and law enforcement field is expected to grow steadily through the next decade. The average salary of a beginning police officer or detective is $69,160 per year.

Methodology:

  • Affordability (1/3): the average out-of-state tuition per credit hour
  • Flexibility (1/3): if the program offers additional specializations and/or an accelerated track
  • Student Satisfaction (1/3): average student satisfaction with online criminal justice degree programs and review scores adjusted for several reviews

Top 9 Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

1. Florida State University

OCP School Profile: Florida State University Online – FSU Online – Football, Campus and Ranking

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $180.49

Florida State University offers a BS in Criminology that consists of 36 credits. (As an advanced standing degree program, note that this program requires students to have fulfilled general education requirements through a previous associate’s degree or over via previous academic experience.)

Core courses are:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Criminology
  • Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology

Additional classes include:

  • Juvenile Justice
  • Law Enforcement
  • Drugs in the Justice System
  • Victimology
  • Minorities Crime
  • Social Policy

Most students complete their degree in 3-4 years, and FSU’s online learning format is designed for maximum flexibility to fit students’ schedules. Online students also have access to the same resources as on-campus students, plus additional e-learning benefits. Some of the resources available are:

  • student advising center
  • Blackboard user support
  • career center
  • reading-writing center
  • virtual computer lab
  • library

2. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University

OCP School Profile: Colorado Technical University Online: CTU Accreditation

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $340

Colorado Technical University offers a BS in Criminal Justice totaling 182 undergraduate credits – 56 core, 60 concentration, plus electives and the general education requirement. Students with previous academic credit may be eligible to transfer credits into the program, accelerating course work.

In addition, CTU’s Fast Track mini modules allow students to waive course material they’re already familiar with.

Core courses in the BSCJ include:

  • Law Enforcement Operations and Report Writing
  • Introduction to Homeland Security
  • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Social Psychology
  • Career Planning and Management

Students may also choose between 5 concentrations to tailor their curriculum according to professional interests. The concentrations offered are:

  • Cybercrime and Security
  • Forensic Investigation
  • Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Human Services
  • the general track

CTU has a strong alumni network, and 83% of alumni report that they would rather hire a CTU graduate than otherwise.

3. Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University-Global Campus

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $350

Colorado State University-Global Campus offers a BS in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement that consists of 120 undergraduate credits, with 10 three-credit core courses in the major. Thanks to CSU’s exceptional transfer policy, students may significantly accelerate coursework by waiving up to 90 credits.

Further, CSU also offers alternative credit options through life experience and testing. Core courses in the major include:

  • Law Enforcement and American Policing
  • Introduction to Crime and Deviance
  • Research Methods for the Criminal Justice Professional
  • Ethics for the Criminal Justice Professional
  • Criminal Justice and the Constitution
  • a practicum and capstone

In addition, in order to encourage students to concentrate on an area of specific interest, CSU offers nearly 20 specializations in:

  • Strategic Communications
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Information Technology Operations
  • Emergency Management
  • Data Management and Analysis
  • Criminal Forensics

4. Portland State University

Portland State University

OCP School Profile: Portland State University – Ranking, Majors and Tuition

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $279

Portland State University offers a BS in Criminology & Criminal Justice that consists of 180 credits which may be accelerated via transfer credits. The 42-credit major track includes classes in:

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

Students must also complete an 8-credit internship designed to provide valuable real-world experience. Portland State’s program is built upon a state-of-the-art, evidence-based curriculum that provides the benefits of a broad-based education with a highly customizable track.

In addition, PSU also offers several helpful certificates for interested students:

  • Advanced Crime Analysis
  • Criminal Behavior
  • Leadership in Criminal Justice
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Criminology & Criminal Justice

This program is designed both for working professionals in the field, as well as students interested in a criminal justice career.

5. Florida International University

Florida International University

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $235.57

Florida International University offers a BS in Criminal Justice that consists of 120 total undergraduate credits – 36 in the major track. Core classes include:

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

Students also can tailor their degrees with 12 credits of electives. With FIU’s generous transfer policy, students may accelerate coursework by waiving up to 60 credits of prerequisites. With a broad-based curriculum, FIU’s BSCJ prepares students for a wide variety of criminal justice work and emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach in order for graduates to hit the ground running.

Also, note that each student is paired with their own success coach to devise an appropriate course load.

6. American Public University

American Public University

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $350

American Public University offers a BA or BS in Legal Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice that totals 121 credits. Students with previous academic experience can transfer up to 51 credits to accelerate coursework.

Designed for working professionals, APU’s program is highly flexible and customizable to fit the demands of students with busy schedules. In particular, the degree is ideal for students looking to shore up their education for eventual application to law school, or legal professionals who want to advance their legal knowledge as paralegals, law enforcement officers, investigators, researchers, and more.

The degree places a special focus on fundamentals – such as legal research and writing – and aims to be as versatile as possible, in order to leave graduates with a wealth of professional and further-studies options. Note that APU also offers relevant associate’s and graduate degrees.

7. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University

OCP School Profile: Columbia Southern University – Accreditation, Ranking and Reviews

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $250

Columbia Southern University offers a BS in Criminal Justice Administration that consists of 120 credits – 36 general education, 36 majors, and 48 electives. Core requirements include:

  • Theory and Practices of Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Criminal Evidence and Legal Issues
  • Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice
  • Police and Community Relations
  • Race and Ethnic Relations

Designed primarily as a degree for current professionals in the field, most students graduate in 5 years. The curriculum is broad-based and utilizes a practical, professional approach in preparing students for the day-to-day challenges of criminal justice and law enforcement workers.

Columbia Southern also offers a specialization in Arson Investigation for interested students. Similar degrees include an Associate and Master’s in Criminal Justice.

8. American Military University

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $250

The American Military University offers a BS in Legal Studies that consists of 122 total credits, which may be accelerated via AMU’s generous transfer policy (up to 91 credits). Major classes include:

  • Introduction to the Courts
  • Legal Research and Writing
  • Administrative Law and Policy
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Family Law

Students also have the opportunity to customize their coursework through 18 major credits. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work across a range of fields in the legal profession, including careers as a court administrator, investigator, paralegal, law clerk, court clerk, and more.

With an equal balance of legal theory and professional practice, the curriculum provides students with solid foundational knowledge and a career springboard. Note that both a BA and BS in Criminal Justice are available on campus.

9. University of Florida

University of Florida

Tuition Cost per Credit Hour: $129.18

The University of Florida offers a BA in Criminology and Law that consists of 120 total undergraduate credits – 34 of which are in the major. For students with previous academic experience, UF allows up to 12 credits to be transferred into the major section of the degree, which may accelerate coursework. Some classes include:

  • Advanced Principles of Criminal Justice
  • Research Methods in Criminology
  • Criminological Theory
  • Law and Society
  • Law and Legal Process
  • Criminal Law

UF also allows for customizable curriculums via a wealth of electives within and outside of the major. In order to graduate, all students must also pass an exit exam for the major. As an interdisciplinary degree, UF’s program provides students with an exceptional foundation of knowledge and allows graduates to pursue a range of careers.

It is also a valuable preparatory degree for students who wish to continue studies in graduate or law school.

Related Rankings:

Sources:

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