Online Criminal Justice Degree

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Sherlock Holmes was one of the first, and most famous, fictional detectives. In the short stories and novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes performed the work that today is called criminology. Holmes was self-taught, but today you definitely need a Online Criminal Justice Degree to have a career as a criminologist. Criminal Justice is a social science that is concerned with the social impacts and reactions to crime, the causes and preventions of crime, and the criminals themselves. A degree in Criminal Justice also provides excellent career opportunities across a wide variety of fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, criminal justice careers are anticipated to grow at a rate of 7% between 2020 and 2030, which is above the national average. Many colleges and universities now offer an online criminal justice degree. In this guide we will be discussing all aspects of Online Criminal Justice Degree programs – curriculum, admission requirements, scholarships and much more. We will also review the best online criminal justice degrees in the country.

Best Colleges for Online Criminal
Justice Degrees

Perhaps, due to the popularity of TV shows like CSI, and other police stories, there has been a recent interest in learning about the criminal justice system. This, in turn, has sparked the creation of a myriad of college and university programs. We’ve investigated (no pun intended) many of these programs and created a list of the best colleges for criminal justice. Our focus was on the institutions offering an online criminal justice bachelor degree. And our methodology included elements like tuition, program quality, graduation rates, program reputation and many other parameters. Find out more about our methodology. (Link to methodology pop up) *

University of Central Florida

With a B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice through the University of Central Florida Online, one will gain an in-depth understanding of the justice system. Through a rich selection of hands-on, interactive training and online coursework students will learn about the history of crime in America, how to conduct research and analyze data, the details of prosecution under the law, and more. It will prepare students to work within the local, county, state, or federal justice agencies, private organizations, or a related field. Additionally, students will be well-qualified to pursue graduate work in criminal justice or related disciplines. Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for its students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. The tuition and graduation rate are as below:

Univ	Address	Tuition	Grad Rate
University of Central Florida	4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816	$6,368	74%

Pennsylvania State University

University of Maryland

Florida International University

Western Carolina University

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Penn State World Campus

University of Louisiana At Monroe

Crown College

Arizona State University

Trine University

Minot State University

Southeastern Missouri State University

University of Nebraska Omaha

Thomas Edison State University

Fort Hays State University

Mcneese State University

Union Institute And University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

New England College

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.

Find Online Criminal Justice
Degree Near Me

There are so many choices for obtaining a criminal justice degree, perhaps you are asking yourself, “Can I get a criminal justice degree near me?” The answer is “Absolutely, yes.” Once again, we have done a good chunk of the work for you by providing the list below. Whether you are searching for, “criminal justice colleges in Texas,” the “top 10 criminal justice schools in Michigan,” or an “online criminal justice degree in San Diego,” we’ve got you covered. Take a look at below list to find a criminal justice degree near you.

What to expect From Online Criminal
Justice Degree Programs

Online Criminal Justice
Degree Types

What Are Common Specializations for an Online
Criminal Justice Degree Program?

Criminology is the academic study of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Students, seeking a career in criminal justice, will most likely first try to earn an online bachelors degree.

Criminologists can be criminal investigators and researchers who examine the criminal mind and the nature of crimes. In some cases, criminologists aid in actual investigations and play a role in the apprehension of criminals, while in other cases they conduct research that leads to better law enforcement techniques. The term “criminologist” itself encompasses a variety of disciplines in the criminal investigation field.

The branches of criminology are usually classified as:

Depending on your area of specialization, the working conditions of criminologists can vary according to your specific job function:

What are the different fields of Criminology?

Laboratory Work	Crime Scene Work	Office Work	Court Work
A forensic scientist, or a science lab technician, spends much of the day working in a laboratory environment. There they study evidence obtained at a crime scene. Forensic scientists will also spend a considerable amount of time at the computer, analyzing data and using sophisticated software programs to identify possible criminal suspects.	Criminal investigators gather evidence at the crime scene to be taken back to the laboratory for analysis. Their work may involve gathering tissue and fluid samples from dead bodies, examining blood stain spatters and weapons found at the scene of the crime and any other potential clues.	The criminologist, like other police officers and detectives, spends a lot of time filling out and filing paperwork. Criminologists have to document their findings by filling out police reports and must keep extensive records for future investigative purposes.	Some criminologists who are recognized as leading authorities in the law enforcement community can be asked to serve as expert witnesses in court cases. For example, forensic psychologists are sometimes called upon to comment on a suspect’s behavior and mental state.

What Will I Learn in a Criminal
Justice Degree Program?

As mentioned previously, each online criminal justice degree program, at each university, will have a different focus. Depending on whether you opt for a BS curriculum or a BA program will also determine which specific courses you will be required to take to earn the degree.

All programs will include:

Criminology	Court System and Corrections	Sociology and Psychology	Criminal Law
At the very least, a student enrolled in a criminal justice major will need to take an introductory criminology course. The study of criminology explores the causes and nature of crime, the behavior and patterns of criminals, and perspectives on socially deviant behavior. Other topics may include crime statistics and recidivism rates, victimology, ethics, criminal profiling, and research and investigation.	Classes in the Court System and Corrections will generally cover the history, functions, philosophy and problems associated with the judicial system. The adult justice system and the juvenile justice system will be covered and how they differ, particularly in terms of sentencing and punishments. Topics will include the basics of corrections, probation, parole and the jail and prison systems.	Particularly for careers in crime prevention and rehabilitation, a background in sociology and psychology will be helpful to students who want to pursue a career in the criminal justice field. An understanding of the sociological and psychological factors of crime will help you understand the underlying problems and characteristics of people involved in the criminal justice system. Courses include topics such as violence, gangs, drug use,gender, race, poverty and mental illness.	Courses in criminal law cover various aspects of the legal process, penal law and definitions of crime. Criminal law classes can also give you a better understanding of legal terms, high-profile criminal cases, prosecution and defense, constitutional law, criminal justice reform, evidence and forensic law. An emphasis on incarceration, punishment, retribution and rehabilitation may also be in criminal law courses.

Other courses may include:

Free Online Criminal Justice
Courses

The Internet has created a whole new world of educational opportunities. Even some that have no prerequisite requirements or associated costs. These are called Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Many universities and other educational organizations provide the content for free. Here are a few such criminal justice courses that are free.

Justice on edX

Justice is a free criminal justice course that is available on edX and taught by Harvard professor Michael Sandel. This course explores theories of justice and applies them to today’s situations.

Forensic Science and Criminal Justice at University of Leicester

This course is offered for free as an MOOC by University of Leicester. It examines how forensic science has evolved and used in courtrooms today and also sheds light on various debates about how biometrics databased are used.

Introduction to American Law at Coursera

(University of Pennsylvania) – Coursera offers a free course that introduces students to different stages of American Law. Students will gain insights and can learn about complexities of various laws.

Hot topics in Criminal Justice at Coursera

Coursera offers this course for free. This course examines various hot button issues like how to identify who committed crime and what to do with them. This course also sheds light on various problems that are plaguing the current criminal justice system.

It is important to note that these lectures are usually not accredited nor can they be used to earn credits toward a degree. However, they are a great way to introduce, or refresh your knowledge of, topics for which you are earning credits.

How Do I Get Into an Online Criminal Justice
Degree Program?

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Criminal
Justice Bachelor Degree?

Accelerated & Fastest Criminal Justice
Degree Programs

What is the timescale of the speediest Criminal Justice Degree Online programs? In some cases, you may be able to earn an online criminal justice associates degree in as little as 12 months or an online criminal justice bachelor’s degree in a little more than that. If you have earned credits at other accredited institutions, students may be able to transfer them to a new institution which will further accelerate the timeframe. Here are a few universities that offer accelerated criminal justice degree programs: