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These days many people want to return to school to earn a college degree. Are you interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree, but lack the time to enroll in a traditional classroom-based program? If so, you should consider one of the several online degree programs offered by one of many online schools allowing students to earn criminal justice degrees from the comfort of their homes. Online degrees are increasing in popularity because of their widespread availability and convenience. One of the most popular online degrees is a Criminal Justice degree. At CriminalJusticeDegreeHub.com, we want you to have the best chance to succeed in your chosen field, here is a list of 10 online criminal justice programs and some information on each.
Kaplan University
Are you interested in pursuing a criminal justice degree, but lack the time to enroll in a traditional classroom-based program? If so, you should consider one of the several online degree programs offered by Kaplan University, one of many online schools allowing students to earn criminal justice degrees from the comfort of their homes.
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Kaplan University offers online and campus-based courses in a variety of fields. The institution, which is a subsidiary of Kaplan Inc., which is owned by The Washington Post Company, provides students with the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as certifications. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is an active participant in the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice online degree at Kaplan University provides a history of the U.S. criminal justice system and in addition to focusing on criminal law, investigative techniques, and domestic and international terrorism. To receive the degree, students must complete 90 credit hours in one to two years.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online program provides students with the same broad knowledge of criminal history. However, it places greater emphasis on the techniques and research methods used by professionals in the field of law enforcement. Students are also required to complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability to apply the concepts they learn to real-world scenarios. Attaining this degree takes 180 credit hours over the course of four years.
Students interested in administrative roles in criminal justice may consider pursuing a Master of Science degree online. This program requires students to have a bachelor’s degree. Students learn about the management and human resources processes of a criminal justice organization. They also study the impact of legislation on the criminal justice field. Successful completion requires 55 credit hours and can be completed in 12 to 18 months.
Penn State University
Are you interested in pursuing a career in the exciting field of criminal justice, but unable to attend classes that take place in the traditional brick and mortar setting of a classroom? Would you like to have a degree conferred by one of the top universities in the nation? If so, you should consider pursuing an online criminal justice degree from the Penn State University World Campus. In an effort to address the educational needs of students outside of the Penn State campus, the officials at the university developed an online curriculum. The best part is that you will get to enjoy all the convenience and flexibility that online schools offer, but your degree will still reflect your status as a Penn State University student.
Pennsylvania State University was founded in 1855 and has been at the forefront of distance learning for over 100 years. In 1892, the university created one of the first correspondence course. In 1998, Penn State again proved to be an innovator when it became one of the first schools to offer online degree programs. Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Penn State offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. It holds the distinction of being the first online criminal justice program to be certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. To achieve an online degree, students must complete 120 credit hours in courses that provide theoretical and practical education on crime control and administration. 45 of those credit hours must be general education courses in math, science, and liberal arts. During the course of their studies, students will cover criminology, law, ethics, policy administration, alternative punishments, and social science research.
Portland State University
Portland State University offers four different criminal justice degrees, including an online criminal justice degree program providing opportunities for classroom learning and distance learning.
Choosing an online school to pursue a degree in criminal justice can be challenging. As the largest public state university in Oregon, Portland State University is a reliable online school. Located in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s downtown core, PSU has been ranked one of America’s Best Colleges by US News and World Report. The Princeton Review placed Portland State University at number sixteen on their list of Best Western Colleges. Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Criminal justice degree programs at PSU include a Bachelor’s of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Advanced Crime Analysis Certificate, Leadership in Criminal Justice Certificate,
Criminal Behavior Certificate and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Criminology & Criminal Justice.
The wide variety of degree programs provides students with opportunities to obtain a degree as a criminal justice major and begin their careers. Current professionals have the option to obtain a certificate in criminal analysis or criminal behavior and further their current careers.
Everest University Online
Everest University Online offers a large variety of courses to train prospective students to have an enjoyable career that pays well. Everest offers Associate, Bachelor and Master’s degrees in many areas. One of the most popular and rewarding degrees available at Everest is the Criminal Justice degree. Everest University Online is accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools as well as the Florida Commission for Independent Study. It is associated with Corinthian Colleges which was founded in 1995. There are over 100 branches of this college in the United States and Canada.
While many schools offer a Criminal Justice degree, Everest offers an online Criminal Justice degree to make attending school easier. Everest’s Criminal Justice degree online classes make it possible for nearly anyone to get their degree by allowing them to study when they can instead of attending regularly scheduled classes. Online degree programs make it possible for people to work and raise a family while still attending school.
A Criminal Justice degree allows a person to work in several areas related to law enforcement. A person with a Criminal Justice degree is able to be a forensic specialist, police officer, corrections officer or work in Homeland Security, amongst other types of Criminal Justice related jobs available. Getting an online degree in Criminal Justice has never been easier. Financial aid is available for qualified students. Contact Everest today for more information on getting a Criminal Justice degree online. Helpful counselors are standing by to help make dreams come true!
Arizona State University
The #7 school in our top 10 online criminal justice programs is Arizona State University.
ASU was established in 1885 and is located in Glendale, Arizona. The university offers Bachelor of Science degrees, Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctorate degrees and has an enrollment of over 70,000 students. Arizona State is known for being a university with some of the greatest online schools and online degree programs in the United States. Like most respectable colleges and universities with online programs, Arizona State University’s Criminal Justice online degree program is totally accredited. ASU receives it’s accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Arizona State University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice has been ranked as the number 1 online Criminal Justice degree program in the United States, according to several online sources. Earning a Criminal Justice degree online at Arizona State is usually stress-free, making the ability to acquire a degree online convenient. As a Criminal Justice major a student will learn about the policies and practices of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Students will take courses that emphasize facts and policies on prison systems, gangs and fraud.
Keiser University eCampus
Keiser University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is regarded among the best online schools by a variety of publications, such as the U.S. News and World Report. Keiser University is dedicated to helping students succeed by providing an excellent academic environment. It strives to accommodate the schedules of busy students. Keiser University also works with employers to provide a curriculum that is focused on careers to help foster success. The university is committed to making students its first priority and it strives to provide an academic environment that focuses on a collaborative educational experience. All departments work together to ensure student success when completing a degree online.
For students interested in pursuing a criminal justice major, Keiser University offers online criminal justice degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. The associate criminal justice degree prepares students to either start their criminal justice career or continue with upper level online degree programs. The bachelor’s criminal justice degree online program provides students with a solid knowledge of the criminal justice system and common topics include forensic science, private security, and victimology. The master’s in criminal justice online degree prepares students to manage aspects of the criminal justice system, such as correctional systems, court systems, law enforcement, and juvenile justice. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits Keiser University to grant certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
Waldorf College
Waldorf College is located in Forest City, Iowa. It has a much higher number of full time teachers when compared to the part timer staffers. The acceptance rate is 49%, so it can be challenging to get in for sure, and around a third of those who do will stop before graduating. However, those who do go in and are dedicated enough to try sticking it out the whole time will receive handsome rewards in the form of financial aid. Waldorf has a nearly 100% financial aid rate. They have full online accreditation, and there’s even provided textbooks through a Waldorf Book Grant, though this may require for you to be local. There are no scheduled sessions for the online program, so you can do it more on your schedule. This is ideal for people who have really busy work schedules, or those who have non-traditional schedules. The college has relationships with the army through being an SOC member and by being a member of GoArmyEd, so it’s also ideal for students interested in that particular track for a career. It’s not even required for students to take the ACT or SAT to enroll in the online program. Additionally, students get a 10% tuition discount over the regular tuition. Additionally, there’s no cost to becoming a tuition discount program member. There’s a $500 first year scholarship for residential program students, and there are programs available for employers to enroll their employees, so it’s possible students could get considerable help from their employers if getting a Criminal Justice Degree is relevant for a particular employee in terms of increasing useful job skills. The tuition per credit hour is around $275 per credit hour, though active duty service members get $250 per hour. Tuition Assistance and Veterans Affairs benefits are also available at this college. It’s also known for having a high job placement rating of 87%. So, nearly 9 out of 10 graduating students will quickly get a job in a Criminal Justice related field after they complete their studies here.
University of Phoenix Online
The burgeoning field of criminal justice offers numerous opportunities in domestic law enforcement, homeland security and policymaking. Many of these jobs require applicants to possess at least a bachelor’s degree. If you are a nontraditional student or an individual who must balance work and family, attending classes at a university may be difficult. Fortunately, the College of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of Phoenix is one of many online schools that offer fully accredited criminal justice degree programs. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Coming in at #10 on our ranking, the University of Phoenix was founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sterling. This institution was at the forefront of correspondence and distance learning and helped pioneer many of the techniques and formats used currently by online schools all over the world. Today, the school offers courses at over 200 locations and online. Faculty at the University of Phoenix posses a unique blend of academic and real-world experience that enriches the learning process for students.
The College of Criminal Justice offers an associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Arts with a Concentration in Criminal Justice provides a solid foundation for the field of criminal justice. Students learn about the court systems, policing methods and juvenile corrections in addition to enhancing their critical thinking skills. Courses last for nine weeks. Students must complete 60 credit hours to receive the degree. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree online can attain a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. In addition to taking general education courses in math, science and liberal arts, enrollees will learn about legal procedure, communications, ethics, policymaking and finance. There are several possible concentrations for students to select as well: cybercrimes, management, security, human services and institutional healthcare. Each course lasts nine weeks and a total of 120 credit hours is required for matriculation.
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HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE?
