Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs and Schools

Graduate and undergraduate degree programs available online in criminal justice, forensic science, law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, law, justice administration, and more.

 

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Criminal Justice Careers

The purpose of our country's criminal justice system is to keep society safe. Because criminal justice embodies every level of law enforcement, there are many career paths to follow. These include:

  • Bailiff
  • Border patrol agent
  • CIA agent
  • Corrections officer
  • Court reporter
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Customs agent
  • Detective
  • Drug enforcement agent
  • FBI agent
  • Industrial security specialist
  • Law librarian
  • Legal secretary
  • Paralegal
  • Police officer
  • Postal service investigator
  • Private investigator
  • Probation & parole officer
  • Secret service agent
  • Sheriff
  • U.S. Marshall
  • Warden

Criminal Justice Career Training

Depending on your career goals, your career training in criminal justice should include earning a certificate, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree. Certificate programs include crime scene technician, terrorism and national security management, and criminal justice. Earning a certificate in criminal justice usually requires one year of study.

 

If you pursue an associate's degree, you can study for law enforcement, corrections, private security, court reporting, or paralegal careers. Associate's degrees can usually be completed within two years. A bachelor's degree program will allow you to receive further training and education in any of the programs offered at the associate's level. In addition, with a bachelor's degree in a criminal justice-related field, you could qualify for jobs as a social worker, probation officer, and correctional treatment specialist. A bachelor's degree can usually be completed in four years. Earning a master's degree in criminal justice or related field might increase your chances to find advanced positions in law enforcement, including FBI agent, police chief, and college instructor. The completion of a master's degree usually requires two years of study once you finish your bachelor's degree.

Most criminal justice schools will allow you transfer credits from one degree program into a higher degree program. For instance, if you earn an associate's degree, it can often be applied toward a bachelor's degree program, and possibly reduce your length of study in half. Online degree programs are available at all levels of study, allowing you to maintain your current work schedule while you are taking classes.

Criminal Justice Earnings and Opportunities

Your criminal justice salary will depend on your field of work and possibly your level of education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2007 median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers was $49,630. For first-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives, 2007 median salary was $72,620. Detectives and criminal investigators earned a median of $59,930 in 2007. For all of these workers, the BLS forecasts at least an 11 percent increase in employment from 2006 through 2016.

For correctional officers, the BLS predicts a 16 percent increase in employment from 2006 through 2016. Correctional officers' 2007 median salary was $36,970, while their supervisors earned a median salary of $55,720. In 2007, security guards earned a median salary of $22,570, while probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earned a median salary of $44,510.

Online Degrees in Criminal Justice

Online degree programs in law and criminal justice from accredited universities and colleges:

Court Reporting, Realtime Reporting, Captioning Programs
Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration
Administration of Justice
Juris Doctor, LL.B, LL.M, Health Law
Legal Studies, Court Process

Online Degrees in Law Enforcement

Online degree programs in policing and investigation from accredited universities and colleges:

Law Enforcement Skills, Police Science, Police Leadership
Crime Scene Technology, Crime Scene Technician
Fraud Management, Economic Crime Management, Forensic Accounting
Forensic Nursing, Digital Forensics, Forensic Science

Online Degrees in Security and Corrections

Online degree programs in homeland security, corrections and loss prevention from accredited universities and colleges:

Corrections Management, Corrections majors, Correctional Administration, and more
Homeland Security, Terrorism, Public Safety Management
Private Security, Security Management, Business Security

Pursue your Law & Criminal Justice degree today…

University of Phoenix

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At University of Phoenix, we believe everyone deserves access to higher education.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security
Westwood College

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Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • Associate Degree - Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice: Major in Administration
Keiser University

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For over 30 years, Keiser University eCampus Online has provided student-centered, quality career education.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • Criminal Justice, AA (Online)
  • Paralegal Studies, AA (Online)
Brookline College

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Brookline College can help you prepare for a great new career.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Virginia College

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Set your career in motion at Virginia College Online.

Visit www.vconline.edu
Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • BS - Criminal Justice
  • MS - Criminal Justice
Liberty University

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We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • AA in Criminal Justice
Northcentral University

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Northcentral University offers a unique, one-to-one faculty/student online learning experience that can help you achieve your goals.

Campus Locations:
  • Online
Programs:
  • Criminal Justice - PhD in Bus. Admin.
  • Criminal Justice - MBA