Online Criminal Justice Degrees 2021

Criminal Justice Degree Online

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Online criminal justice degrees can lead graduates to careers in advanced federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation or as leaders in local police departments.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for police and detectives to grow 5% between 2019 and 2029, faster than the average for all other occupations. These professionals earned a median income of $65,170 in 2019. They typically spend their days responding to calls, patrolling areas, and collecting evidence from crime scenes.

A bachelor's degree takes about four years to complete, and busy learners can earn a criminal justice degree online. Keep reading to learn about the top criminal justice programs, common courses, and scholarships for aspiring law enforcement officers.

Considering a Criminal Justice Degree?

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?

Earning a criminal justice degree opens many doors. While not every local police department requires a bachelor's degree to practice as a law enforcement officer, pursuing education beyond academy training qualifies individuals for higher-earning jobs. Federal agencies that offer higher salaries often require a bachelor's degree. Head police chief positions typically require a formal degree.

Aside from working as law enforcement officers, graduates can work as detectives, correctional officers and bailiffs, and forensic science technicians. Individuals with a passion for entrepreneurship could even open their own private investigating business.

An undergraduate criminal justice program can prepare learners for additional education. Graduates who build upon their education with a master's degree and a doctorate could choose to become lawyers. Read on to learn more about earning a criminal justice degree.

What Are the Requirements for a Criminal Justice Program?

To qualify for a criminal justice program, learners must submit an application and fee, official high school transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. Each program sets its own minimum requirements for GPAs and test scores. Prospective students should check with a specific school's admissions department to learn more.

Once enrolled, students must maintain a set GPA, attend class, and engage in class discussions. Some criminal justice programs may require a service-learning or internship component. Typically, undergraduate programs do not require a thesis or capstone project. However, learners may need to submit a professional portfolio at the end of their studies.

Courses in a Criminal Justice Program

During their studies, criminal justice students hone hard and soft skills. Courses involve soft skills like interpersonal communication and active listening skills. They also cover hard skills, like record keeping and protocols for crime scene investigations.

Most criminal justice programs include 10-15 courses totaling 30-45 credits. Credit requirements can impact program length, but most learners complete this undergraduate degree within four years.

Criminal justice courses cover theories about crime prevention, the history of laws, and elements of restorative justice. Some criminal justice programs may require in-person components like an internship. In the following sections, we highlight five common criminal justice courses.

• Current and Historical U.S. Laws

  Law enforcement officers need a strong understanding of current laws and their creation. In this course, learners discover which laws they must uphold and how landmark Supreme Court cases influenced these laws. Students learn how lawyers influence the interpretation of these laws in court cases. Enrollees examine case studies and engage in classroom discussions about common offenses to the law. This course typically requires traditional lectures, multiple-choice tests, and essays.

• The Restorative Justice Movement

  The restorative justice movement developed in the 1970s, and it heavily influences the modern criminal justice system. This class discusses both the history and theories that shape the restorative justice movement. Upon completion, students should possess a strong understanding of how professionals use restorative justice in the courtroom to repair harm caused by a crime. The coursework discusses the effectiveness of meetings with the offender, victim, and community members.

• Criminal Justice Ethics

  Enrollees discuss best practices and professional behavior for on-the-job activities. This course covers topics like sexual harassment, race relations, and malpractice impact to the field. A criminal justice ethics course typically involves case studies that illustrate criminal justice scenarios and encourage classroom discussion. Exams usually follow an essay-based format rather than multiple choice to account for open-ended interpretations on ethics.

• Best Practices for Crime Scene Investigations

  Students learn how to effectively complete a crime scene investigation without mishandling evidence or compromising an investigation. The course teaches learners how to correctly document discoveries, uncover evidence, and collaborate with professionals like detectives. Enrollees study past crime scene investigation case studies and evaluate the methods and actions. Some crime scene investigation courses allow students to complete hands-on field work.

• Corrections

  Some individuals with a criminal justice degree oversee correctional facilities. This course covers modern correctional methods like parole, incarceration, and probation. Students analyze each method and discover which ones judges typically apply to certain cases. Enrollees also examine data on the effectiveness of varying types of corrections. This class discusses the daily operations of federal and state prisons and best practices for supervision.

Professional Organizations for Criminal Justice Students

Professionals can commit to lifelong learning by joining professional organizations. These groups publish informative newsletters and scholarly journals, host conferences, and connect criminal justice professionals from varying backgrounds and experience levels. Some criminal justice organizations allow students to join. See below for a few of the many professional organizations for criminal justice degree-seekers.

2021 Online Bachelor's Programs in Criminal Justice