Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

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

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

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…

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Courses and degree programs at University of Phoenix Online are available entirely online. The University of Phoenix Online is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

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Develop the skills you need to reach your goals at Bryant & Stratton College. We offer career-focused degrees in a number of today's fastest-growing fields. Study online or in small classes, and get a quality education that fits into your busy life.

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Bryant and Stratton College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This is a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

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Earn your associate's, bachelor's or master's degree from Virginia College. Our extensive programs are offered 100% online, so you can launch the career of your choice from the comfort of your own home.

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Virginia College is a senior college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award certificates, diplomas, associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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Westwood College isn't your typical institution of higher learning. With our career-focused education, students can earn a bachelor's degree in just three years and some associate degrees in as little as 20 months. Career-focused means students are immersed in career-related courses starting in their first term.* And with day, night and online schedules**, we can accommodate almost any lifestyle.

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Westwood College schools are accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).


Westwood is also a candidate for accreditation with The Higher Learning Commission and an affiliate of the North Central Association (http://www.ncahlc.org/).


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Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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Colorado Technical University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. (For more information, visit the NCA Higher Learning Commission web site.)

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American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

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American InterContinental University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Additional information is available at 312-263-0456 or www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

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Capella University offers online degrees in the fields of business management, health care, higher education, human resources, information technology, mental health, K-12 education, public safety and public administration, social work, and public service leadership. An accredited university, Capella delivers a challenging education to more than 30,000 students in all 50 states and 45 other countries. Capella combines outstanding academics with a supportive faculty and staff in a program designed for working adults. Learn more about our 42 PhD, PsyD, DPA, DBA, DSW, DNP, DHA, EdD, EdS, MS, MSN, MPA, MHA, MBA, MPH, BS, BPA, and BSN degree programs and 137 specializations by talking to one of our enrollment counselors at 1.888.227.3552

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Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.

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