Criminal Justice Degrees
What Are the Goals of a Bachelor's Program in Criminal Justice?
The criminal justice field includes positions in law enforcement, corrections, legal studies, and forensic investigation. A bachelor's in criminal justice can lead to roles in these areas and in other positions related to the judicial system.
Colleges and universities across the country offer four-year criminal justice programs on campus. Many schools also deliver online degrees in criminal justice, some of which require no campus visits. Associate degree-holders can often earn their bachelor's in criminal justice in two years.
The first bachelor's in criminal justice programs were intended to professionalize the police force. Today, the study of criminal justice is an indispensable tool in the fight against crime and injustice in the United States.
The information in this guide can help you decide whether earning a bachelor's in criminal justice can help you achieve your professional goals. The following sections include a list of high-quality criminal justice programs, information on accrediting agencies, and statistics about career outlook for graduates.
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Top 50 Online Bachelor's Programs for Criminal Justice
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Why Study Criminal Justice Online?
Students often cite affordability and flexibility as two main reasons for choosing online learning. Distance students often save on housing and transportation costs, and some schools charge all online learners in-state tuition rates. This can result in significant savings for out-of-state students.
Studying online can help busy learners balance academics with professional and personal responsibilities. Online students often work full time while earning their degree, which can help ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education.
Many online bachelor's in criminal justice programs comprise asynchronous classes, allowing learners to complete course requirements at their convenience. Asynchronous courses typically follow a set schedule, with due dates for assignments, term papers, and exams. Students can also consider self-paced programs, which provide even greater flexibility.
Institutions typically deliver online courses through a learning management system such as Brightspace or Canvas. Online classes often include streamed lectures, recorded sessions, and forum discussions.
Accreditation for Online Criminal Justice Programs
Colleges and universities across the country can obtain voluntary accreditation to illustrate the quality of their academic programs. Accreditation also demonstrates the sustainability of an institution's fiscal and operational standards. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversee the accreditation process and ensure accrediting agencies adhere to strict standards.
Accreditation assures students they will receive a quality education and that employers will recognize their degree after graduation. Additionally, many types of state and federal financial assistance are only available to learners at accredited schools.
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission accredits institutions that offer primarily online or distance programs, from the high school to doctoral levels. The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences accredits criminal justice programs.
Best Value Colleges for a Criminal Justice Degree
The list below includes institutions offering some of the best criminal justice degrees in the country. Criteria for the rankings include accreditation, graduation rates, and affordability. The following list can help you locate a criminal justice program that fits your educational and career goals.COLLAPSE ALLEXPANDED
Career and Salary Outlook for Criminal Justice Graduates
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects varying job growth rates for criminal justice professionals, depending on position. The BLS projects police and detective positions to increase 5% from 2018 to 2028, which is on par with the average for all occupations. However, the BLS projects employment for forensic science technicians to increase 14% during the same time frame.
Most positions for graduates of bachelor's in criminal justice programs feature above-average earning potential. However several factors influence salary potential, including job location, experience, and academic achievement.
Career and Salary Outlook
| POLICE AND DETECTIVES | Police officers protect life and property, serving as the first line of defense against crime. Some police officers work in a specific industry, such as transit and railroad. Others specialize in a certain type of crime, such as drug trafficking or arson. Police officers arrest criminals, patrol assigned areas, and respond to emergency calls. Detectives may perform work similar to that of police officers, depending on their rank. However, the responsibilities of detectives often include investigating crimes, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses and suspects. |
|---|---|
| PRIVATE DETECTIVES AND INVESTIGATORS | Although private detectives and investigators do not have police authority, they perform an essential role in crime detection and prevention. Private detectives conduct background checks for employers, carry out surveillance missions to uncover possible unlawful activities, and collect evidence for law firms and private citizens. Private investigators must be familiar with federal and state laws to ensure that any evidence they collect will be admissible in court. |
| EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS | Emergency management directors prepare appropriate responses to natural disasters and coordinate with concerned stakeholders before, during, and after emergencies. They also assess conditions for potential hazards and apply for federal funding to mitigate the impact of disasters. Additionally, these directors regularly review and update emergency procedures to ensure their continued effectiveness and relevance. |
| PROBATION OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT SPECIALISTS | These professionals supervise parolees and individuals who are on probation. The responsibilities of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists often include conducting drug tests, identifying appropriate rehabilitation programs, making recommendations to probationary courts, and testifying during parole hearings. |
| JOB TITLE | MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY | PROJECTED JOB OUTLOOK |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Detectives | $65,170 | 5% |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,510 | 8% |
| Emergency Management Directors | $74,590 | 5% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $54,290 | 3% |
Source: BLS
Criminal Justice Concentrations
Many bachelor's in criminal justice degrees offer concentration options, which allow students to gain in-depth knowledge in a specific area of the field. Earning a bachelor's in criminal justice degree with a concentration can help graduates secure positions in the concentration area.
- CORRECTIONS
A bachelor's in criminal justice with a concentration in corrections qualifies graduates to work in correctional facilities as prison guards, case managers, juvenile probation officers, and corrections officers. This concentration typically requires coursework in the criminal justice system, juvenile justice and delinquency theories, and constitutional issues in criminal procedures.
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONStudents pursuing this concentration learn how to identify, collect, and organize evidence found at crime scenes. Learners study topics including fingerprint analysis, crime scene photography, toxicology, and forensic pathology. Students also learn how to preserve the chain of evidence to ensure their findings and conclusions are admissible in court.
CYBERSECURITYThis concentration trains students to protect sensitive and vital digital information. Learners prepare to keep computer networks safe from unlawful and malicious intrusion. Students explore topics such as network security, computer troubleshooting, and Linux system administration. Graduates with a cybersecurity concentration often work as security architects, ethical hackers, and cryptologists.
LAW ENFORCEMENTThis common criminal justice concentration prepares students to become police officers, detectives, and corrections specialists. Coursework typically covers the American court system, foundations in criminal law and procedure, constitutional issues in criminal proceedings, and investigation techniques. Graduates often pursue local, state, and federal law enforcement positions.
SECURITY MANAGEMENTA specialization in security management prepares criminal justice students to safeguard the assets and employees of a business. Concentration coursework typically explores risk analysis, infrastructure security, and effective emergency planning. Security management specialists often manage a team of security guards and other security personnel.
Courses in Criminal Justice Programs
The curricula of criminal justice programs vary by institution. Some schools offer broad undergraduate criminal justice programs that allow students to explore a variety of prospective career paths. Learners in these programs typically choose a concentration area to study during their junior and senior years.
Students should examine each prospective program's curriculum to ensure the available courses align with their career aspirations. The foundational courses below are common to many programs from the best criminal justice colleges.
- CRIME PREVENTION
The course introduces students to various theories of crime prevention, detection, and reduction. Learners study traditional techniques currently used in the field, as well as emerging technologies and practices. Students also examine innovative community-based solutions and their applications to crime prevention.
CRIMINOLOGYStudents in this class examine criminality using the precepts of behavioral and social sciences. Learners explore the psychological and biological roots of criminal behavior and the impact of crime on individuals, communities, and society. The course presents a historical review of various crime-reduction practices, along with each method's effectiveness and modern applicability.
POLICINGStudents in this class explore the historical evolution of law enforcement to gain an understanding of its current function within the criminal justice system. Students also examine challenges related to modern policing. Learners discuss how cultivating positive community relationships can lead to fewer crimes and better detection.
U.S. CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMCoursework focuses on key issues that impact the country's correctional system, including socioeconomic factors, judicial policies, and racism. Students examine issues such as prison overcrowding, drug use among inmates, and prison-staff retention. Learners explore the role of criminal justice practitioners in seeking and implementing viable solutions to these ongoing challenges.
U.S. JUDICIAL SYSTEMThis course covers topics including the function and structure of the U.S. court system, the responsibilities of criminal justice practitioners, and the procedures and processes at various levels of the federal court. Students also learn about significant events in the history of the nation's judicial system.
Scholarships for Criminal Justice Students
Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for criminal justice students. Some institutions administer state and federal grants, and learners can apply for financial assistance from private and special-interest organizations. Learners pursuing a criminal justice degree can explore the scholarship opportunities below.
Brian Terry Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Applicants must submit an essay and proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate criminal justice program. The foundation begins accepting applications in January of each year, until receiving 100 applications.
Amount: Varies
Edna R. Anthony Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports high school seniors who plan to pursue a criminal justice major at a historically black college or university. Recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 college GPA to remain eligible for funding.
Amount: $1,000
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must have a minimum 3.8 GPA. The organization administers three scholarships, and applicants who are committed to pursuing a career in law enforcement receive preference.
Amount: $1,000 to $10,000
Women in Federal Law Enforcement Annual Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Applicants must be criminal justice majors who have completed at least one full year of college-level coursework. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must submit a 500-word essay demonstrating their commitment to pursuing a career in law.
Amount: $1,500
Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Students
Students can begin their search for financial assistance by completing the FAFSA. The information learners provide on the FAFSA form establishes their eligibility for federal and institutional financial aid. Additionally, some private organizations determine eligibility for funding using each applicant's FAFSA form.
After applying for scholarships and grants, some students take out loans to cover remaining costs. Federal student loans typically offer lower tuition rates than private loans. Students with financial need may qualify for a subsidized federal loan, which does not begin accruing interest until after graduation.
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