Jump-start your criminal justice career with a prestigious online degree
Last Updated October 2024
*Our Recommended List
Southern New Hampshire University
One of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation
Classes start on 01/06/2025
Criminal Justice Programs
AS In Criminal Justice • BS In Criminal Justice • Corrections • Criminology & Crime Analysis • Cybercrime • Homeland Security and Terrorism • Police Admin. & Operations See Details
Degrees
Associate's • Bachelor’s • Master’s
Program Length
Associate's (2 years, or at your own pace) • Bachelor’s (4 years, or at your own pace) • Master's (3 years or at your own pace) Get Details
Who Is This For
- Flexible term starts - six 8-week terms per year
- One of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation
- 24/7 online accessibility - attend class when and where it's convenient
- Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Why We Recommend
- Median annual salary of $74,910 for police and detectives1
- 4% projected job growth for police and detectives through 20321
- 63,000 yearly police and detective role openings through 20321
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (viewed Nov 1. 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Purdue University Global
Experience one of our undergraduate programs for a 3-week period with no financial obligation
Classes Start On 1/09/25
Criminal Justice Programs
AS In Criminal Justice • BS In Criminal Justice • ExcelTrack • MS In Criminal Justice • Homeland Security • Certificate In Crime Scene Technician See Details
Degrees
Associate's • Bachelor's • Master's • Certificates
Program Length
Associate's (2 years, or at your own pace), Bachelor's (4 years, or at your own pace), Master's (1-2 years, program length varies), Certificates (1 Year) Get Details
Who Is This For
- Global Recognition - Purdue offers some of the most highly accredited programs
- Purdue Foundry - Supports student startups and innovations
- Testing Credits - IB, AP, A-Level, NEWL, CLEP, DSST, CAPE, & Purdue-specific Tests
- Transferable Credits
Why We Recommend
- Multiple start dates every month
- Try before you owe tuition - 3-week period with no financial obligation
- Your experience counts as credit - satisfy up to 75% of your undergraduate degree
- Financial Aid - available for many of our degree programs
University of Arizona Global Campus
Flexible programs with personalized support that meets your needs
Flexible Start Dates
Criminal Justice Programs
BA In Homeland Security • Emergency Management • Social & Criminal Justice • MS In Criminal Justice See Details
Degrees
Bachelor’s • Master’s
Program Length
Bachelor's (4 years, or at your own pace), Master's (3 years, or at your own pace) Get Details
Who Is This For
- 5 and 6-Week Courses - Start dates are flexible
- Generous Transfer Policy For Bachelor's Programs
- No Standardized Tests For Admissions
- Credit For Work, Life, & Military Experience
- Military Tuition Savings - For veterans, service members, & spouses
- Our Promise - Attend 3 weeks risk-free to see if UAGC is right for you
Why We Recommend
- Median annual salary of $74,910 for police and detectives1
- 4% projected job growth for police and detectives through 20321
- 63,000 yearly police and detective role openings through 20321
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.html (viewed Nov 1. 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Succeed Again: 135+ low-cost, online degrees & certificates
Classes Start On May 14, 2025 & June 11, 2025
Education Programs
Accounting • Business • Communication • Computer Science • Education • Engineering • Humanities • Law • STEM See Details
Degrees
Bachelor's • Master's • Doctorate
Program Length
At UMGC, we respect your previous life experiences. We carefully consider the possibility of translating those experiences into college credits, saving you time and money. You can earn up to 90 credits for relevant experience toward a bachelor's degree or transfer up to 12 credits toward a master's. Plus, with rolling admissions, multiple start dates, so that you can get started when you're ready. Get Details
Who Is This For
- UMGC, an accredited state university, is proud to serve working adults
- Nearly 100k adult learners worldwide
- 60k+ active-duty service members and veterans and their families
- 55% of whom come with undergraduate transfer credits
Why We Recommend
- Programs that apply emerging tech such as AI & data science
- Financial resources & tools to help make education more affordable
- Project-based courses that allow you to demonstrate & master skills
- Success coaches with you at every step to help you reach your goals
- Lifetime career services, resources, & tools at no additional cost
Arizona State University
$0 Application Fee - A Quality Education You Can Trust
Classes Start On 01/13/2025
Criminal Justice Programs
BS In Criminal Justice • Forensic Science • Forensic Psychology • MLS In Business Law • Construction Law • Criminal Law • MA In Criminal Justice See Details
Degrees
Bachelor's • Master's • Certifications
Program Length
Bachelor’s (4 years, or at your own pace), Master’s (1-2 years, or at your own pace), Certifications (1 Year, or at your own pace) Get Details
Who Is This For
- ASU Ranked #2 in the U.S. For Employability Among Public Universities1
- 300+ Online Programs - Study 100% Online From Your Home
- 10+ Years of High-Quality Online Programs
- 7.5-Week Courses in the Fall and Spring
- Credit-Friendly Transfer
Why We Recommend
- Median annual salary of $74,910 for police and detectives2
- 4% projected job growth for police and detectives through 20322
- 63,000 yearly police and detective role openings through 20322
1Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, 2024
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (viewed Nov 1. 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Programs






Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest advantage of online learning is being in control of your schedule. With online classes, you should have the flexibility to learn at any time, anywhere. This is a great option for people who work or who care for their families.
This probably comes down to discipline and time management. Traditional on-campus courses typically offer a more structured learning experience. Since most online colleges offer flexibility in how and when you learn, the biggest learning curve may be finding the time, place and learning style that works best for your unique needs.
While each state must approve of a college operating within its borders, approval does not equate to accreditation. Accreditation is granted by certain organizations that are dedicated to formally recognizing colleges or college programs that uphold their education to a certain standard.
The first thing you’ll want to do is figure out which program and degree level you want to pursue. From there, find online colleges that offer what you’re looking for. When looking into these, check if the school or the program you’re interested in is accredited. If neither are, you may want to explore other options. Also, look into other factors such as tuition price, learning methods, course flexibility, etc. And if you need more help deciding, we recommend looking into online reviews and talking to a representative of the school.