Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs |
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Graduate and undergraduate degree programs available online in criminal justice, forensic science, law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, law, justice administration, and more.
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
- ndustrial security specialist
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- Law librarian
- Legal secretary
- Paralegal
- Police officer
- Postal service investigator
- Private investigator
- Probation & parole officer
- Secret service agent
- Sheriff
- U.S. Marshall
- Warden
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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 |
Court Reporting, Realtime Reporting, Captioning Programs |
Law and Criminal Justice |
Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration |
Justice Administration |
Administration of Justice |
Law Degree |
Juris Doctor, LL.B, LL.M, Health Law |
Paralegal and Legal Services |
Legal Studies, Court Process |
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Online Degrees in Law Enforcement
Online degree programs in policing and investigation from accredited universities and colleges:
Law Enforcement |
Law Enforcement Skills, Police Science, Police Leadership |
Crime Scene and Forensics |
Crime Scene Technology, Crime Scene Technician |
Forensic Accounting |
Fraud Management, Economic Crime Management, Forensic Accounting |
Forensics Science |
Forensic Nursing, Digital Forensics, Forensic Science |
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Online Degrees in Security and Corrections
Online degree programs in homeland security, corrections and loss prevention from accredited universities and colleges:
Corrections |
Corrections Management, Corrections majors, Correctional Administration, and more |
Public Safety |
Homeland Security, Terrorism, Public Safety Management |
Security & Loss Prevention |
Private Security, Security Management, Business Security |
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Pursue your Law & Criminal Justice degree today.
Virginia College
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.
Learn more about programs at Virginia College.
Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, VC Online's criminal justice program is intended for current and aspiring professionals in the field--or anyone who wants to make their community safer.
Looking for a new or better criminal justice job? VC Online's BS in criminal justice can prepare you to become a:
Criminal Justice in Homeland Security program at Virginia College, trains students in critical–thinking and program–management, and leadership skills needed within homeland security, an understanding of its history, domestic crime, substantive & procedural law within the criminal justice system, current homeland security policies, operational theories, functions and issues from domestic perspectives, and the ethical, political, social, environmental and economic issues related criminal investigations. Students will be able to differentiate the various threats to domestic security (including technological and political forms of terrorism) and the various phases of intelligence operations.
This program prepares students for potential careers in U.S. Border Patrol agents, Immigration inspectors, Customs inspectors, Federal Air Marshals, U.S. Secret Service special agents and U.S. Secret Service. Secret Service special agents also investigate counterfeiting, forgery of Government checks or bonds, and fraudulent use of credit cards.
The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is designed for the busy criminal justice professional who seeks a career boost. Prepare for leadership positions in the courthouse, the police force, private security, corrections, parole and more.
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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Strayer University
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.
Learn more about programs at Strayer University
This is your pathway to a career in Criminal Justice. If you are seeking a relevant and up-to-date foundation in Criminal Justice, Strayer University offers the Associate in Arts program. You?ll explore juvenile and adult crime prevention, adjudication and corrections while gaining important insight into the variety of career paths in this field. This program is ideal for you if you are interested in exploring the entire scope of the Criminal Justice profession, if you are seeking a quick entry into the field before continuing your education, and if you are currently working in the field but looking to make a change. Graduates of this program may apply all the credits earned toward a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Note: In Ohio, this program is called the Associate of Applied Business.
The principle objective of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is to teach students the theoretical, legal and operational aspects of crime and justice, equipping students with the knowledge and training needed to succeed in any of these fields.
This program is the ideal gateway for a variety of positions in the public and private sector. If you have a general interest in the field, or are currently employed in Criminal Justice seeking advancement, this degree is a vital component to your career aspirations. While students acquire fundamental (as well as practical and professional) skills in all areas of Criminal Justice, the Bachelor of Science program offers area concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree to your specific career and educational goals.
Students have the option of choosing a concentration in:
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Homeland Security Technology
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Computer Security and Forensics
The average time to complete this undergraduate program attending on a part-time basis, 9.0 credit hours per quarter, is 60 months.
- Programs may vary by state and by campus
Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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