Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Graduates may find employment in numerous protective service fields, including law enforcement, crime prevention, corrections, or private security. Graduates may have the necessary skills and training to seek employment as a corrections officer, probation officer, private investigator, security guard, or police detective.
Available Degree Levels
- Career Diploma: Varies
- Certificate: One to two years to complete
- Associate Degree: Two years to complete
- Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
- Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete
- Doctoral Degree: Three to five years to complete
Individuals interested in online career diploma programs in criminal justice learn about the introductory aspects involved with the industry. Graduates may pursue entry-level employment in corrections, corporate security, or law enforcement. Core courses in the program may include criminal investigations, juvenile delinquency, ethics, criminal procedures, and constitutional law.
An online certificate program may offer students an opportunity to learn about the country’s criminal justice system and criminal behavior. Individuals gain leadership and management skills that they may apply to careers that help minimize risks associated with terrorism and criminal activities. Courses may include terrorism and homeland security, theories of crime, criminology, and procedural criminal law.
Online associate-level programs in criminal justice prepare students for entry-level employment in the field. They may also provide a solid foundation to transfer credits into a bachelor’s program in criminal justice. These programs may focus on domestic and international terrorism, counter terrorism, criminology, and criminal law. Topics may include criminal investigation, homeland security, juvenile law, correctional systems, and victimology.
Students enrolled in online baccalaureate-level programs in criminal justice gain professional skills and training in the field. They may study different types of criminal offenses, the basics of criminal culpability, and challenges that those who work in the criminal justice system face. In addition to general education courses, students may complete coursework in criminology, criminal law, criminal justice information systems, and criminal procedure.
Online master’s-level programs in criminal justice teach students how to analyze criminal behavior in different cultures and deal with social deviance. These programs may also provide students the tools needed to deal with criminals. Certain schools offer tracks within the major, including criminal behavior, criminology, rehabilitation, corrections, and policing. Students may study legal issues, criminology theory, organizational behavior, and research methodology.
Doctoral-level programs in criminal justice are typically research-intensive programs that addresses the complex issues involved in criminal behavior, intervention, and prevention. Those who graduate from these programs may seek careers in upper-level positions of public policy, criminal justice, and higher education. Courses may include public safety leadership, diversity issues in public safety, penal system, correlates of crime, and violent behavior research.
Career Options
Graduates of online criminal justice programs may find employment in protective services, including private security, law enforcement, corrections, or crime prevention. These types of jobs may be extremely demanding, stressful, and dangerous, and the jobs may require individuals to travel. Graduates should have the skills to enforce laws, patrol assigned areas, collect evidence, and protect civilians.
Possible career fields include:
- Correctional Officer
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Security Guard
- Police Detective