Are you fascinated by the law and justice? Perhaps you want to prevent crime for a living or help people who have been the victims of it. By enrolling in an online criminal justice degree program, you can use higher education to help make your community a better place.
Some criminal justice degrees can be earned completely online, which is ideal for busy people who are working a full-time job or have family and other responsibilities. If you think you’d like the combination of online and in-person learning, you can also find programs offered in a hybrid format where most coursework is completed virtually, but some on-campus visits are required. Even better, you can find online criminal justice degree programs at multiple levels, making it easier to find a flexible education no matter where you are in your career.
Read on to explore the best online criminal justice degree programs of 2024, see a breakdown of the different degree and certificate options available, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Top Online Criminal Justice Degrees for 2024
We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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University Park, PAPublic $$$$
No matter what level of learning a prospective criminal justice student is interested in, Penn State University’s World Campus has an online learning option available. This includes an Associate in Science and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. For graduate students, there’s the Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. All of these programs offer the vast majority of curriculum requirements online, with few to no campus visits needed. For example, the MPS program requires a capstone project, which students can present through videoconferencing. For added learning options, all three programs allow for several electives, giving students the opportunity to customize their education.
Program Highlights:
AS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 64
- Length: About two years
- Cost: $664.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
BS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: About four years
- Cost: $664.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
MPS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 30
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $1,007.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Ellsworth Air Force Base, SDPrivate for-profit $$
Students interested in a criminal justice degree from National American University have two online degree options to choose from. At the associate level, there’s the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and at the bachelor’s level there’s the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Both degrees offer comprehensive training and instruction for students interested in future careers in corrections, public safety, private security, and law enforcement. Unlike many other online programs, National American University uses a quarter credit system. The advantage of this is that it offers shorter classes which makes it easier for students to fit them around their busy schedule.
Program Highlights:
BS in Criminal Justice Technology
- Credits: 180
- Length: About four years
- Cost: $380.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: HLC
AAS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 90
- Length: About two years
- Cost: $380.00/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
5/1
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Norman, OKPublic $
The University of Oklahoma’s remote learning arm is OU Online, which offers the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree program for working professionals who need convenient options to obtain the knowledge necessary to take the next step in their criminal justice careers. By earning this degree, students will be ready for advanced roles in administration, corrections management, and supervisory positions in the court system and law enforcement. To accommodate time-sensitive needs as much as possible, all courses are available 100% online and students can begin their coursework in the spring, summer, or fall semesters. For those willing to take on a full-time course load to complete the 11 required courses, graduation is possible in less than two years.
Program Highlights:
MS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 33
- Length: About two to three years
- Cost: $685.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
When it comes to criminal justice program options, Liberty University has a variety of degree options to choose from. These include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in criminal justice. All of these have 100% online coursework, making learning as convenient and flexible as possible. The courses also last eight weeks, meaning students can better fit their classes around their professional and personal lives. These criminal justice programs are ideal for transfer students, as up to 75% of the required courses can be completed at another accredited institution of higher learning.
Program Highlights:
BS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: About four years
- Cost: $390.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
AA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 60
- Length: About 18 months
- Cost: $390.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
MS in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 36
- Length: About 18 months
- Cost: $565.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online Programs
6
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Las Cruces, NMPublic $$
New Mexico State University online’s criminal justice offerings span three degrees. At the graduate level students can enroll in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, which is intended for existing criminal justice professionals seeking advanced training to take the next step in their careers. At the undergraduate level, there are the Associate of Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Criminal Justice programs. These are designed for individuals seeking entry into the criminal justice profession. All three programs are fully online, with no face-to-face learning requirements. New Mexico State University strongly encourages active duty military students to apply, with a special $250.00 per credit hour tuition rate just for them.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Criminal Justice
- Credits: 60
- Length: About two to four years
- Cost: $395.40/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Credits: 120
- Length: About four years
- Cost: $395.40/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
MA in Criminal Justice
- Credits: 36
- Length: About two to three years
- Cost: $444.40/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Muncie, INPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Russellville, ARPublic $$
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Logan, UTPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Flagstaff, AZPublic $$$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
-
Huntsville, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
7
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Cincinnati, OHPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Macomb, ILPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
University, MSPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Fayetteville, NCPublic $
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Lakewood, COPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Tampa, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
-
Birmingham, ALPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Indianapolis, INPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Denton, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
26/1
-
Saint Leo, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
6
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Odessa, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Silver City, NMPublic $
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Johnson, VTPublic $$$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Dayton, TNPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Louisville, KYPublic $$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Greenville, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Omaha, NEPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Edwardsville, ILPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Florence, ALPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Kennesaw, GAPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
-
Cape Girardeau, MOPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Monroe, LAPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Memphis, TNPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Minot, NDPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Topeka, KSPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Cullowhee, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Jackson, MSPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Lowell, MAPublic $$$$
Online Programs
5
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Mansfield, PAPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Toledo, OHPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Fairbanks, AKPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Durham, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Murfreesboro, TNPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Glassboro, NJPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Little Rock, ARPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Troy, ALPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Las Vegas, NMPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Nashville, TNPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Warrensburg, MOPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
Finding the Online Criminal Justice Degree for You
If you’re thinking about enrolling in a criminal justice degree online program, keep in mind that there are different degree levels you can choose from based on your career journey and goals. Every degree level will prepare you for specific jobs, and as a result, they yield different results in terms of salary potential and job growth. Continue reading to find out the different levels of online criminal justice degrees you can pursue.
Starting Your Journey with an Online Criminal Justice Associate Degree
An associate degree in criminal justice online is for people who want to earn their degree quickly to enter the workforce or who are interested in building a foundation they can use to further their criminal justice education. These degrees take two years of full-time study to complete. During that time, you’ll learn the fundamentals of criminology, criminal procedure, victimology, and corrections, which will prepare you for an entry-level position. In addition, you will be required to complete general education courses that provide a well-rounded education and pave the way for you to earn your bachelor’s degree, such as English composition, biology, and math.
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Online: The Core Degree
If you want an undergraduate online criminal justice degree that gives you more in-depth knowledge than you can get at the associate level, a four-year bachelor’s degree could be the right choice for you. Not only do you get the chance to learn about subjects like criminal justice research methods, crime prevention, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior, you may get to specialize in a topic to gain more expertise in an area of the field you’re most interested in. For example, you may be able to concentrate your studies on forensic science, corrections, law enforcement, or cybercrime. In addition, you may use an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to prepare to earn a graduate degree.
Moving Up with an Online Master’s in Criminal Justice
Master’s degree programs, which can generally be earned in about two years of full-time study, are for people who have just completed a bachelor’s degree and want to move into the next phase of their education or those who are already working in their field and want to qualify for higher-level positions. Online master’s in criminal justice degree programs provide a deeper understanding of the concepts you’ve learned in your previous criminal justice degree programs or job experience while also giving you the advanced knowledge and training you’ll need to move into higher positions in the criminal justice field or pursue a higher degree. In a master’s program, you can choose a concentration to focus on such as public safety administration, cybercrime, crime scene investigation, and behavioral science.
Online Criminal Justice Doctorate: The Final Milestone
The terminal online doctoral criminal justice degree is designed for students who want to reach the pinnacle of their careers by working in leadership positions in the field and those who want to conduct research or become a college professor to teach the next generation of criminal justice professionals. These degrees, which take about four to six years to complete, generally have a strong emphasis on research. As a doctoral student, you’ll be required to complete a dissertation and pass a comprehensive examination in order to graduate.
Non-Degree Paths to Level Up Your Criminal Justice Knowledge
If you want to study criminal justice on a smaller scale, there are several non-degree paths you can explore. You can choose a certificate program, which may be offered on an undergraduate or graduate level, as well as individual courses. Discover these non-degree options and their benefits.
Online Undergraduate Certificates in Criminal Justice
Online undergraduate certificates in criminal justice are for students who want to get an intensive education that allows them to embark on an entry-level criminal justice career in less time than it takes to earn a degree. These certificates, which can take six months to one year to complete, focus on the fundamentals of the criminal justice system, investigations, procedures and policies, and the ethical responsibilities of agencies working to serve the community.
For example, National University offers an online undergraduate certificate in criminal justice administration that is designed for people who want to pursue administrative management positions in the criminal justice sector. Students in this program learn about factors that contribute to criminal behavior, the theory and practice of corrections, and management of criminal justice agencies.
Online Graduate Certificates in Criminal Justice
Online graduate certificates in criminal justice are for criminal justice professionals who want to focus on advanced concepts in the field, generally in one specific topic. These certificates can take about six months to a year to complete.
One example of an online graduate certificate in criminal justice is offered by Walden University, which was created to support those in policing, court, security, and corrections agencies. Students in this program complete 18 credit hours of coursework that covers criminology, controversies in the criminal justice field, and technology currently used in crime solving activities.
Individual Online Courses in Criminal Justice
Sometimes criminal justice professionals want to take individual courses to learn a specific topic that will help them in their jobs. These classes are be offered by colleges through third-party education platforms that allow anyone to enroll in the classes they’re interested in. For example, edX offers classes that cover criminal law topics and the psychology of criminal justice, while Coursera has criminal justice courses that cover psychology, violence, and law.
Frequently Asked Questions
When deciding on whether or not to pursue an online criminal justice program, you want to make sure you have as much information as possible to make an informed decision. To help you decide if one of these degrees is right for you, we have compiled answers to common questions prospective students like you have about online criminal justice degrees.
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Are online criminal justice degrees accredited?
Accreditation is a meaningful way to ensure that schools are providing a quality education, so you should only consider online criminal justice programs offered by schools that have received this seal of approval.
When schools go through the accreditation process, they are evaluated based on the quality of the curriculum, the expertise and experience of professors, and the resources that are available to students. As a result, you want to look only for schools that have been accredited by organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Look for schools that have been regionally or nationally accredited by organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Programmatic accreditation for criminal justice programs is not widely offered, but the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences has accredited a handful of criminal justice programs.
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How much does an online criminal justice degree cost?
The cost of a criminal justice degree online program depends on the school that you attend and the degree you’re earning. For example, public schools are generally less expensive than private schools, and as you move from undergraduate to graduate studies, the price of your education tends to increase. In addition, earning a criminal justice degree online may significantly reduce the cost of your education because in many cases, you can pay per credit hour you enroll in and save money on fees associated with on-campus activities. In addition, you will save money on transportation, which can make a big difference in the cost of education.
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Can I get financial aid for my online criminal justice degree?
You can get financial aid to help defray the cost of a criminal justice degree online program. You may be able to receive scholarships and grants directly from your school and government agencies. In addition, professional organizations may provide scholarships and grants to help support the next generation of criminal justice professionals, and private companies that want to support the community may also provide funding.
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How much can I earn with an online criminal justice degree?
According to PayScale, people with criminal justice degrees earn between $59,000 and $85,000 annually. According to PayScale, on average, people with an associate degree earn $59,000 per year, bachelor’s degree graduates earn $60,000, professionals with a master’s degree make $58,000, and those with doctoral-level degrees make $85,000 annually.
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Are criminal justice degree graduates in high demand?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many criminal justice careers are in high demand and will see positive growth in the near future. For example, the agency predicts that paralegals and legal assistants will see 14% growth, social services manager jobs will grow by 12%, and forensic science technicians will experience 11% growth between 2021 and 2031. All of these are much better than the average job growth rate of 5%.
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What qualities do I need to succeed in a criminal justice degree program?
There are several qualities that students need to be successful in a criminal justice degree online. For example, you should have academic curiosity because you’ll be learning a lot of criminal justice concepts and regularly reading research. This is also important because the knowledge base is always growing and continuous learning is part of what it takes to be successful in the field.
Additionally, students need strong verbal and written communication skills because criminal justice programs prepare you to effectively communicate with different audiences. Other important qualities you should have include critical thinking, leadership, observation, empathy, and ethical skills.
Key Resources for Criminal Justice Degree Students
In order to be successful in a criminal justice degree online, you’ll want to take advantage of as many resources as possible. The following are some sites that can help you learn more as you navigate the application process and earn your degree.
5 Tips for a Successful Criminal Justice Career
This page from the University of San Diego includes information about what students can expect when they enter a criminal justice career and the qualities and skills they need to cultivate to be successful.
Writing Your Academic Statement of Purpose
In this article from Cornell University, prospective criminal justice applicants are given pointers on how to write an effective statement of purpose when they apply for a graduate degree program.
How To Get a Criminal Justice Degree
This page from Indeed includes step-by-step information on how people interested in criminal justice careers can get admitted into a school and what they can do with their degrees after they graduate.
12 Criminal Justice Skills that Will Lead to Success
Goodwin University provides detailed information on the technical and soft skills criminal justice professionals need to be successful and how those skills can be developed.
American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon
The American Criminal Justice Association promotes the field by supporting the needs of students through scholarships and paper competitions. In addition, members are able to participate in conferences on the regional and national levels, where they share ideas and network with each other.
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Undergraduate and graduate students can join this organization to have access to events, publications, and job boards. Members can participate in sections of the organization that cater to corrections, juvenile justice, police, restorative justice, and victimology professionals.
