Pursuing an online degree offers a flexible and convenient way for students to advance their education and career prospects while empowering students to study from a diverse range of courses at their own pace from any device. Explore the different benefits that an online degree offers and how it adapts to your studying style.
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Flexibility
Studying online allows students to choose their own schedules, perfect for working professionals.
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Lower costs
Save on transportation, books and living expenses.
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Study at your own pace
Choose your own study schedule and pace to fit your needs.
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Study anywhere on any device
Access lessons, assignments and study materials from anywhere on any device.
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Networking opportunities
Network with students all over the world from different backgrounds.
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Student support
Receive dedicated student and academic support to help guide you through your studying experience.
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Social activities
While you won't be able to meet your peers in person, you can still participate in virtual social activities that fit your schedule.
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Online degrees were growing in popularity even before COVID hit the scene and forced everyone to learn from home. With tuition costs for on-campus learning climbing year after year, not to mention the growing time constraints of twenty-first century life, online degrees are now the best option for furthering your education.
A criminal justice online degree or an online criminology degree is the perfect option for college-age students looking to kickstart their criminal justice career or professionals looking to add a specialization such as law enforcement or forensic science.
On this page we break down the reasons to get an online degree in criminal justice, the different skills you can obtain with criminal justice online degree programs, and how to compare the best online schools for criminal justice degrees.
Online criminal justice degree programs are more convenient and affordable than on-campus criminal justice degree programs. With that said, remote learning requires discipline, commitment, and patience. If you’re short on these qualities, even the best criminal justice online degree programs may not be suitable for you.
Here are the main things to look out for when comparing online colleges for criminal justice degrees.
While online schools for criminal justice degrees have similar study hours to on-campus colleges, getting your degree in criminal justice online can save you lots of time overall. The most obvious reason for this is the convenience of online classes. Instead of having to travel to a physical campus or relocate to another state, you can just take your criminology major, Bachelor of Criminal Justice or Master in Criminal Justice from the comfort of your home.
The best online colleges for criminal justice degrees provide plenty of support for distance learning, including flexible hours, mentoring from professionals, and access to digital libraries. Some schools even offer the added convenience of rolling admissions. This type of flexibility makes an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or online master’s degree in criminal justice the perfect option for anyone who doesn’t have the time to attend classes in person.
Another benefit of studying for an online degree in criminal justice is you aren’t just limited to the colleges around you. Type “criminal justice degrees near me” into Google and you’re likely to get only a few results. You can also search for specific criminal justice colleges while on your search. You can also expand your search nationwide and you’ll find many great options you wouldn’t have had access to if you’d restricted your search to on-campus learning. You can study for are online criminal justice degree in Texas, California, New York, Florida or any other state – without ever having to leave your state of residence.
Finally, it’s all about the money. The annual tuition for a traditional bachelor’s in criminal justice can reach tens of thousands of dollars per year. Compare that to a BA in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master in Criminal Justice, or Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and you are talking about a fraction of the price. Pro tip: Always shop around to find the cheapest criminal justice degree online.
SNHU has more than 200 programs ranging from accounting and finance to technology and social sciences, and you can earn an Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree from SNHU. The school is known for being affordable and flexible.
Purdue Global provides an accessible online route to gain qualifications that can further your career. Ideal for busy people who want to study remotely, Purdue Global still offers a high level of student support, both academically and in helping you make progress at work. With a free three-week trial, you can test it out with no commitment. And there are plenty of options for financial aid, including experiential credits.
California Coast University takes online learning to a new level. A 100% digital university, California Coast has invested a lot of time and effort into making remote learning successful for anyone. From the useful study guides and low-cost textbooks to the flexible timeframes, rolling admissions, and degree advisors, California Coast certainly gives students plenty of resources to help them thrive. The extremely low costs of tuition and helpful student aid opportunities just seal the deal with this online degree opportunity.
Criminal justice online degree programs usually fall under the umbrella of the department of science or a specialized department of criminal justice.
Therefore when searching for bachelor’s programs in criminal justice, make sure to include these terms: Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and BA in Criminal Justice.
When searching for a graduate school for criminal justice, make sure to include these terms: Masters of Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, or MA in Criminal Justice.
The best colleges for criminal justice degrees (including the best online criminal justice master’s programs) offer a range of specialization tracks such as:
Finding a cheap online criminal justice degree with high-quality lecturers should be a top priority. Here are some other factors to consider when researching colleges with criminal justice degrees.
The best online schools for criminal justice degrees offer you accreditation for your hard work. An accredited online criminal justice degree shows the world that you put in the effort, paid your dues, and went to a serious online college. A criminal justice degree online that is accredited also shows off your specialization, e.g. forensic science, constitutional criminal law.
One of the main reasons to consider criminal justice associate degree programs, criminal justice bachelor’s degree programs or master’s degree in criminal justice is the convenience. Before enrolling, compare how and when the classes run, how tight the deadlines are, and when final exams are scheduled. Can you get all the course material upfront or is it delivered in time increments? Are you tied to a class’s timeframe and schedule or can you hand assignments in at your own pace? Generally, there will be a minimum that you need to complete per semester. The best criminology courses online, criminal justice bachelor’s programs and master’s programs give you plenty of flexibility.
Another important element to consider when searching for the best online criminal justice degree is which programs are actually available. If you wish to specialize in forensic science, then you’ll need to look for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice or Master of Science in Criminal Justice. If it’s public policy and administration you’re interested in, then you’ll need a Bachelor of Criminal Justice or Master in Criminal Justice.
Online degrees in criminal justice typically require you to submit an online application along with transcripts from other institutions you have graduated from. If you’re applying for a criminal justice bachelor degree online, then you may only need to provide high school transcripts. But if you’re applying to criminal justice masters’ programs online, you’ll have to provide transcripts from your undergraduate degree. No matter which school you apply to, make sure you are capable of meeting the admissions requirements before going to the trouble of applying.
Virtually all the best online schools for criminal justice degrees provide assistance with applying for FAFSA (federal student aid). Other forms of financial assistance may include grants, scholarships, and work/study incentives.
Whatever your focus - whether it’s a bachelor degree in criminal justice online or a criminal justice graduate program – there is no better time than today. The internet is overflowing with top criminal justice degree programs. Carpe diem! Sign yourself up for an online degree in criminal justice to land your dream job in the criminal justice sector.