Here is an article that discusses the best online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field needs experts with skills to serve and protect the public’s interest. Law and order must be maintained in our society today, and we can accomplish that by appointing professionals to work in law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
If you have always wanted to pursue a career in the criminal justice field, there are opportunities available online.
In a moment, we will be discussing the best colleges and universities offering the best online degrees in criminal justice.
How to Choose the Best Online Degree in Criminal Justice
Since you will be studying online to earn a degree in criminal justice, it’s important you consider your schedule before you apply to any school.
Will it be better to enrol full-time or part-time? You know what suits your schedule, so you should have no problem choosing a full-time or part-time degree program.
Accreditation
Whether you want to earn an online bachelor’s or master’s degree program, accreditation is an important factor to consider.
It’s unwise to enrol at an unaccredited institution. If you do so, it will affect your eligibility for federal financial aid and lucrative jobs.
Most employers in the job market only recognize graduates with degrees obtained from accredited institutions. In addition, you can also research programmatic accreditation.
Also Read: How to Apply for Student Visa Australia
What is the Cost of an Online Degree in Criminal Justice?
Generally, the estimated cost per credit for an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice ranges from $300 to $600.
In-state students may pay less than $300 as a cost per credit hour.
List of Institutions Offering the Best Online Degrees in Criminal Justice
Below are institutions that offer the best online degree in criminal justice.
- University of Central Florida
- Florida International University
- Liberty University
- Pennsylvania State University- World Campus
- Northern Arizona University
- Ball State University
- University of North Texas
- Drexel University
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Sam Houston State University
- Florida State University
- Arizona State University
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Best Online Degrees in Criminal Justice
Let’s explore the best online institutions offering the best degrees in criminal justice.
#1.University of Central Florida
- Location: Orlando, Florida
The University of Central Florida in Orlando offers a variety of online degrees in the criminal justice field.
Whether you are a first-time student or a practising professional, UCF got you covered with its online degree program. The university’s online criminal justice program covers important topics like policy analysis, ethical decision-making and leadership, and government relations.
UCF’s online program options incorporate juvenile justice leadership, forensic science and digital forensics, corrections leadership, and legal studies.
#2. Florida International University
- Location: Miami, Florida
Florida International University provides one of the best online degrees for distance learners. FIU is also considered among the best institutions offering online degrees in psychology.
The Miami-based university offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. You are expected to complete the program’s 120 credit hours which takes about four years of full-time study.
The curriculum incorporates courses like research methods and analyses in criminal justice, criminal justice and the constitution, and criminology theory and professional development in criminal justice.
#3. Liberty University
- Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University, a private Christian university in Lynchburg offers an online degree in criminal justice.
The online program offered at Liberty is designed to prepare students for successful careers in law enforcement. The online program consists of 120 credit hours and can be completed in three and a half years.
#4. Penn State World Campus
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Penn State World Campus is an excellent institution for those seeking an online degree in criminal justice.
If you want to start your career as a professional in the criminal justice field, Penn State World Campus offers an online bachelor’s degree that requires 120 credits to complete.
Expect some bachelor’s program courses, as well as upper-level courses focused on criminal justice. Penn State World Campus also offers an 18-credit minor degree in Homeland Security.
Also Read: Top 12 Trade Schools in Arizona in 2024
#5. Northern Arizona University
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Northern Arizona University offers an online bachelor of applied science in criminal justice.
The online bachelor’s program uses the university’s “traditional online” delivery process. It delivers the coursework asynchronously, allowing online learners to interact with NUA’s experienced professors.
#6. Ball State University
- Location: Muncie, Indiana
Ball State University in Muncie offers one of the best online degrees in criminal justice you will find online.
The fully online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice requires students to complete 48 to 51 credits of major courses. Ball State offers a highly customizable curriculum which allows online learners to choose from a wide range of elective courses.
#7. University of North Texas
- Location: Denton, Texas
Whether you want to become a law enforcement officer, a probation officer, a fraud investigator, or a court administrator, UNT offers the perfect online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
The program’s curriculum incorporates courses like police systems, correctional systems and criminology, and diversity issues in criminal justice.
There is more you can benefit from UNT as a first-time student. You will be eligible to apply for any of the three criminal justice-specific scholarships.
#8. Drexel University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of the finest private research universities in Philadelphia, Drexel offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
The program’s coursework includes political science, race crime and justice sentencing, etc.
Transfer students who want to enrol in this online BS in criminal justice can transfer up to 90 credits.
#9. Indiana Wesleyan University
- Location: Marion, Indiana
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private Christian university that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
The online bachelor’s degree program consists of 120 credits and online learners are required to complete 42 credit hours of required classes in criminal justice.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools In Florida For Business 2024
#10. University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
The University of Nebraska at Omaha, a public research institution offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
You are expected to complete the program’s 120 credits before graduation. With UNO’s study abroad opportunities, students can learn how the justice system in the United Kingdom operates.
#11. Southern New Hampshire University
- Location: Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University is one of America’s fastest-growing universities with over 135, 000 online learners.
SNHU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice that requires 120 credit hours to complete. The university also allows transfer students to transfer up to 90 credits, while students with law enforcement training can get up to 12 credits.
#12. Sam Houston State University
- Location: Huntsville, Texas
Sam Houston State University is one of the oldest public institutions in the Lone Star State.
The university offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, one of the best available online. SHSU in recent times has also been recognized for offering one of the most affordable online bachelor’s in criminology.
#13. Florida State University
- Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Florida State University through its College of Criminology and Criminal Justice provides one of the best online degrees in criminology.
FSU’s online bachelor’s degree in criminology requires students to complete 36 credit hours in criminology and criminal justice. Online instructors at FSU are experienced professors in the criminal justice field.
#14. Arizona State University
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona State University is a top public research institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
The fully online bachelor’s degree program consists of 120 credits, with 45 credits required in the upper-division courses.
Also Read: How to write Law School Exam
#15. University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts in Lowell offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This online program is available online and can also be offered as a hybrid delivery option.
UMass Lowell online program’s coursework incorporates emergency management, homeland security, criminal profiling, terrorism, etc.
UMass Lowell also allows transfer students to transfer up to 90 credits.
Conclusion
The criminal justice field needs experienced professionals to work in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Enrolling in an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is a good step towards achieving your dream of becoming a professional in the criminal justice field.
