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In an online criminal justice degree program, you'll learn all about the criminal justice system, including how it operates and how laws and society interact and evolve.
With a criminal justice degree, you can pursue a variety of jobs in protective and community services. For example, you might work as a criminal investigator, police officer, or forensic technician.
Reasons to Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree Online
- An online criminal justice degree can qualify you for careers that allow you to make a difference and give back to your community.
- You can enjoy a flexible learning schedule while maintaining a full-time job.
- You might save money — many online schools for criminal justice have the same tuition rates for all students, regardless of state residency.
- You'll be able to access more program options, helping you find the best curriculum and specialization for you.
- Many online criminal justice programs feature diverse student bodies, which can enrich your learning experience.
We ranked the best online criminal justice programs using criteria like affordability, overall academic quality, and reputation.
Top Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Programs
Read About Our Methodology Here
These rankings include
#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $228.81 (in-state) | $345.87 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
FIU's fully online BS in criminal justice provides students with a broad-reaching education in the study and implementation of criminal justice.
You'll learn about criminological theory, research methods and analysis, and how the U.S. Constitution applies in criminal justice contexts. You'll also complete a senior capstone project that centers on a real-world crime and public policy issue.
Interested students may apply for one of three start terms in the fall, spring, or summer. You must also provide all relevant transcripts and submit test scores.
#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $179.19 (in-state) | $715.80 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
UCF's online BA or BS in criminal justice program targets students preparing for careers in criminal justice at the local, state, and federal levels. The program provides you with an understanding of the broader legal process and its history. You'll graduate with the knowledge and experience you need to enter graduate school.
For in-state students, at less than $200 per credit, an online degree from UCF can be a more affordable option for college. To apply, you must be a transfer student — first-year students cannot start their college careers at UCF Online.
#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $390
Credits to Graduate: Varies (transfers strongly encouraged)
Liberty's online BS in criminal justice can prepare you for a career in law enforcement or help you advance your law enforcement career. The program is divided into eight-week terms and targets students who have already earned some or all of the credits toward their degree, with the university accepting up to 75% of necessary credits via transfers.
You can take specialized classes in fields like business law, juvenile corrections, and psychology of criminal behavior.
Tuition costs are frozen through 2024, and online textbooks are included in the tuition price. To apply, you must submit an online application and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
#4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $492 (in-state) | $511 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 48
SDSU Global Campus's online asynchronous BS in criminal justice degree completion program is designed for students who have already started their degree. The program, which can take as few as 15 months to complete, strongly emphasizes social justice and equity in the criminal justice system.
You'll take courses like crime and behavior, law enforcement, forensic science, and administrative behavior.
To apply, you must have at least 60 transferable credits with a minimum 2.8 GPA.
#5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $320
Credits to Graduate: 120
SNHU's online BS in criminal justice emphasizes real-world applicability and includes an embedded communication certificate. Students who have completed basic police training may earn up to 12 credits for their training experience.
You can choose from among several concentration options, including criminology and crime analysis, cybercrime, and human services and advocacy. You must apply online and provide educational history and demographic information.
#6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $399
Credits to Graduate: Varies (transfers encouraged)
SEU's online BS in criminal justice prepares you for a career in criminal justice, law, or a related field. You'll learn about all three branches of the justice system — law enforcement, courts of law, and corrections — and how to cultivate skills for a career in each branch.
Although classes are offered entirely online, you may complete an internship in Washington, D.C., as part of the American Studies Program. You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate to apply.
#7 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $549 (in-state) | $564 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
UC's online BS in criminal justice provides a broad overview of criminal justice and related fields. You'll study criminal justice, criminology, legal studies, and legal history for a thorough understanding of the justice system.
Tuition is similar for in-state and out-of-state students, making this program potentially attractive to students outside Ohio. You must have a minimum 2.7 high school GPA to apply. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.0 college GPA.
#8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $301.51 (in-state) | $468.17 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
WCU's online BS in criminal justice provides a research-based understanding of criminology and its application to criminal justice. The program is designed to be equivalent to the school's residential BS in criminal justice. You'll study criminology from a historical and statistical perspective and take a handful of general education courses.
Applicants must have at least one year of criminal justice work experience in law, law enforcement, or a related field. Criminal justice experience is evaluated by faculty as part of your overall application.
#9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $277.5 (in-state) | $369 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
CSUSB's BA in criminal justice is offered both online and at the San Bernardino campus. In this program, you'll complete general education requirements, such as composition, in addition to taking an array of criminal justice courses and any electives you choose.
Core classes include introduction to the criminal justice system, statistics in criminal justice, research methods, and police and police systems.
To be accepted into the major, you must complete a pre-criminal justice major, which will automatically switch over to a criminal justice major upon completion of all requirements.
#10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $555
Credits to Graduate: 110
Arizona Online's BS in criminal justice studies is open to both first-year and transfer students. In this program, you'll gain skills in four areas of focus: law, policy, and social justice; mathematics; statistics and data science; psychology and human behavior; and social and behavioral sciences.
Arizona Online does not raise tuition costs for out-of-state students, making this program a good option for those who may move out of state during their degree. To apply, you can self-report grades without having to supply high school transcripts.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Programs
Did You Know...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. is home to more than 3.3 million protective services professionals as of May 2021.
Jobs You Can Get With an Online Criminal Justice Degree
While the BLS projects only 2% growth in protective services jobs between 2021 and 2031, that still works out to more than 70,000 new jobs.
With a bachelor's in criminal justice, you could qualify for roles in policing, corrections, firefighting, and security. The table below provides details on some of the most popular career paths in the criminal justice field.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2021) | Job Growth Rate (2021-2031) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $83,640 | -1% | High school diploma |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $64,930 | 3% | High school diploma or bachelor's |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $64,610 | 3% | High school diploma or bachelor's |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $61,930 | 11% | Bachelor's |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $60,250 | 0% | Bachelor's |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $59,380 | 6% | High school diploma |
| Bailiffs | $48,320 | -4% | High school diploma |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,920 | -10% | High school diploma |
Source: BLS
Why Accreditation Matters for Online Criminal Justice Programs
Accreditation is a formal process in which independent accrediting agencies vet and verify a school's academic quality against a set of standards. You must attend an accredited school in order to qualify for federal financial aid.
Some academic programs may be programmatically accredited as well.
Though neither the Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes any specialized criminal justice accreditors, you might want to look for online criminal justice programs that have been certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).
Many top online schools for criminal justice pursue this certification as a way to promote their program quality.
Coursework for an Online Criminal Justice Degree
Online colleges for criminal justice use different approaches and curricula, but most bachelor's programs follow a similar core structure.
Typically, you'll learn about the origins of the criminal justice system and the nature of crimes and corrections.
Some of the courses you might take for your online criminal justice degree include:
- Criminology
- Criminal justice system
- Criminal law
- Corrections
- Policing in America
- Ethics in criminal justice
- Research methods in criminal justice
Online criminal justice programs equip you with knowledge of criminal law procedures and policing and correctional practices. You'll also hone your critical thinking, communication, and situational awareness skills.
While these programs run primarily online, many include practicums you must complete in person.
Online Colleges for Criminal Justice by State
The growing number of online schools means you can access programs nationwide. Explore below to find criminal justice online degree programs in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Degrees
Yes. Despite a below-average projected growth rate for protective services jobs in the next decade, there's still demand for criminal justice majors. The BLS projects over 420,000 annual openings to replace turnover in protective services roles.
Police officers and detectives alone need nearly 70,000 new professionals each year to fill employment gaps.
While you may find certain coursework or assignments challenging, a criminal justice degree is often considered a more accessible degree.
These programs cover various components of criminal law and the criminal justice system, which some students might find hard to understand. The practical and physical elements might prove difficult as well.
With the proper commitment and determination, however, you can succeed in a criminal justice degree program.
A criminal justice degree may include some math but typically not a lot. You might need to take an algebra or introductory calculus course as part of your school's general education requirements.
You might also encounter some statistics or applied mathematics, but these subjects typically don't show up until graduate-level studies.
A criminal justice degree can definitely be worth it. While you don't always need a degree for a criminal justice career, it can open up more doors.
If you're aiming for a career in policing, for example, an online criminal justice degree will give you more professional flexibility and equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to stand apart from other job candidates.
Along with giving you access to federal positions, a criminal justice degree can improve your odds of securing promotions and leadership positions.
Criminal Justice Resources
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
ACJS provides resources for criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis. Members can network, share ideas, and stay up to date on policies and trends.
Justice Research and Statistics Association
JRSA uses research and analysis to help in the decision-making process in criminal and juvenile justice. In addition to offering publications and newsletters, JRSA provides discounted rates for conferences and training classes.
National Criminal Justice Association
NCJA strives to build criminal justice policy and works with state, tribal, and local governments to help prevent crime. The group also offers webinars, networking opportunities, and conferences for members, as well as discounted event prices to student members.