Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees or certificates in Criminal Justice & Legal and a detailed list of offered programs. Tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes are available by request. For information about campus-based schools, click on the 'On Campus Degrees' link above.


If you are passionate about putting the bad guys behind bars and upholding the laws of the land, you should look into getting a degree in criminal justice and using your passion to fight for the innocent.
For those with the drive to get a degree in criminal justice and serve in our nation’s law enforcement and legal systems, it takes a strong stomach and a sharp mind—as well as physical stamina.
A degree in criminal justice will open you up to a wide range of careers, not just help you become a police officer or lawyer. With a degree in criminal justice you can also work in the correctional system or as a paralegal or law clerk.
Degrees in criminal justice will even open the doors to careers as a parole officer, TSA agent, or border control agent. It can even be the steppingstone to a career as forensic investigator, US Marshall, or FBI agents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there is an estimated job growth for the following professions between 2008-2018:Lawyers 13%, Correctional Officers 7%-13%, Police and Detectives 7%-13%, Court Reporter 18%, Paralegals and Legal Assistants 20%.
Most criminal justice degree holders can expect to earn anywhere from $30-60,000/year or more depending on experience and degree level.
Listed below are online Criminal Justice & Legal colleges and online Criminal Justice & Legal universities complete with the programs offered. Information about tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes, and other options are available by submitting a request to the school. For information about campus-based schools with degrees in Criminal Justice & Legal, click on the 'On Campus Degrees' link above.
Use the following if you are interested in help with locating a college or university with an online degree in Criminal Justice & Legal.
A degree in criminal justice opens up your career options to a wide range of great professions that help keep the public safe. And each one requires a unique set of skills and personality types. With an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you could in any of the following careers.
And those are just the jobs you can obtain with a basic degree in criminal justice. If you go on to obtain advanced degrees, you could become a:
Some jobs within the criminal justice field will be in high demand over the next few years, including corrections officers, paralegals, and more, but most other jobs in the criminal justice field will grow at an average rate for the next 8-10 years. But the high number of baby boomers that are reaching retirement age, may open up great opportunities for advancement and promotion much quicker than in previous years.
With a degree or educational background in criminal justice, you have so many different career opportunities. Many criminal justice career opportunities offer strong salaries and benefits due to the fact that so many careers found in the criminal justice industry are also funded by government agencies. Therefore, employees often receive excellent benefits packages including health insurance, vacation and sick pay, and also retirement plans.
| Career Field | Average Year Salary 2008 |
| Legal Secretary | $46,120 |
| Attorney | $110,590 |
| Law Clerk | $41,960 |
| Court Reporter | $49,710 |
| Federal Correctional Officer | $53,500 |
| Police Detective | $60,910 |
| Patrol Officers | $51,410 |
| Game and Fish Wardens | $48,950 |
Because of the wide range of careers available to criminal justice degree holders, salaries will vary drastically. However, your level of education will have a large impact on your potential earnings.
Criminal justice workers with only a high school diploma, can only expect to earn salaries in the $20-30,000/year range.
Earning an associate’s degree will generally yield a $30-50,000/year salary, and obtaining a bachelor’s degree can raise that ceiling to $60,000.
If you decide to take the time and money to earn an advanced degree, either by going to law school or obtaining a master’s degree or doctorate, you can expect to earn up to $100,000/year or more depending on your experience and position.
Also keep in mind that working in the private sector may earn you a higher salary than public sector jobs; however, public sector employees enjoy great governmental benefits packages, including good healthcare, pensions, and more.
The criminal justice field offers a plethora of careers with different educational requirements. Educational requirements in the criminal justice industry vary from no educational requirements at all for private detective all the way up to doctorate degrees for professors in law schools. The educational requirements that criminal justice careers may require:
Although you can become a police officer with only a high school diploma, if you want opportunities for advancement and higher pay, you’ll need to look at college degree programs in criminal justice.
Below is a list showing different career fields available for those in the criminal justice industry or with a criminal justice degree or educational background.
Career Field |
Educational Level Required |
| Private Detective | No-Post Secondary Training/College Certification (Less than 1 Year) |
| Paralegal |
College Certificate/Associate's Degree (2 Years) |
| Police Officer | 1 Year of College or More - Police Academy (10 to 15 Weeks) |
| Fish and Game Wardens | Associate's Degree |
| FBI Agent | Bachelor's Degree and 3 Years of Law Enforcement Experience |
| Court Reporter | College Certificate (1 Year) |
| Federal Correctional Officer | Bachelor's Degree and 3 Years Law Enforcement Experience |
| Court Bailiff | Some College/On the Job Training |
Individuals seeking to major in criminal justice need to have an excellent sense of right and wrong, honesty, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility. They also need to be very observant, analytical, and enjoy investigating difficult situations. For those going into the law field, excellent writing skills are critical. For those going into the front lines of law enforcement, excellent physical conditioning is also very beneficial.
The courses covered in a criminal justice major offer a great foundation in the law and judicial processes of our nation. The following is a general list and different colleges will definitely have some deviations from this list in their criminal justice major.
The Associate of Arts degree program with a concentration in Criminal Justice focuses on policing practices, corrections, the criminal court system and juvenile justice. Students take a comprehensive look at these topics through interactive assignments that not only develop their critical-thinking skills, but also enable them to recognize the functions of the criminal justice professions within their communities.
Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree online from Ashford University to enhance your understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society. Investigate both the social and legal sides of criminal justice, from forensics and psychology to crime prevention and terrorism. Be an instrument for change when you choose this degree program to better understand the legal and social forces that shape American culture.
Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree online from Ashford University to enhance your understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society. Investigate both the social and legal sides of criminal justice, from forensics and psychology to crime prevention and terrorism. Be an instrument for change when you choose this degree program to better understand the legal and social forces that shape American culture.
Augment your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree with a specialization in Forensics. Examine and understand principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are central ingredients in crimes against society, persons, or property.
Work to protect America. With your Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree earned online from Ashford University, you gain a broad view of homeland security and emergency preparedness at the federal, state, and local levels. In the post-911 era, the US government created the Department of Homeland Security, which prepares for, prevents, and responds to domestic emergencies. With this degree program, you will transcend a single discipline to consider counter-terrorism, planning for natural disasters, and terrorism response. Your interdisciplinary courses include ethics, international relations, cybercrime, and an emphasis on American government and the United States Constitution. This program also includes a strong research and writing component.
Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree online from Ashford University to enhance your understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society. Investigate both the social and legal sides of criminal justice, from forensics and psychology to crime prevention and terrorism. Be an instrument for change when you choose this degree program to better understand the legal and social forces that shape American culture.
Expand your Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice degree with a specialization in Corrections Management. Analyze the philosophies and laws of punishment and sentencing as well as key Supreme Court case decisions specifically pertaining to the constitutional rights of those incarcerated in an American correctional facility.
The B.S. in Criminal Justice program is designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in law enforcement, the justice system, corrections, homeland security, and social services. The program blends contemporary theory on the nature, extent, and cause of crime with the study of national and international criminal justice practices. Learning is supported through coursework and a final capstone project. Plus, the program uses the latest interactive media, including lifelike, computer-generated scenarios from crime scenes.
You will apply criminal justice theories to current issues as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas:
Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)
Transition from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree in less time with Walden's Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) degree option. AIM offers high-achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to take as many as five graduate-level courses in their undergraduate coursework. Upon completion, credits from these courses can be applied toward a master's degree. With the AIM degree option, you can earn your master's degree in as little as one year, depending on your individual progress and degree program.
Across the public sector spectrum, career opportunities are predicted to expand rapidly over the next five years. At every level-federal, state, and local-this growth trend in employment will fuel a demand for qualified managers who can lead public agencies or direct public policy organizations.* Prepare to advance your career and to meet this increasing need for public sector professionals as you gain the skills to translate public policies into effective programs and projects. International themes and concepts incorporated throughout your coursework will broaden your perspective of public service. Walden's M.P.A. program can be completed in less than two years, depending on individual progress and credits transferred.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2008-2009 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/c9/cgs041.htm and http://www.bls.gov/oco/c9/cgs042.htm.
The B.S. in Criminal Justice program is designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in law enforcement, the justice system, corrections, homeland security, and social services. The program blends contemporary theory on the nature, extent, and cause of crime with the study of national and international criminal justice practices. Learning is supported through coursework and a final capstone project. Plus, the program uses the latest interactive media, including lifelike, computer-generated scenarios from crime scenes.
You will apply criminal justice theories to current issues as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas:
Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)
Transition from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree in less time with Walden's Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) degree option. AIM offers high-achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to take as many as five graduate-level courses in their undergraduate coursework. Upon completion, credits from these courses can be applied toward a master's degree. With the AIM degree option, you can earn your master's degree in as little as one year, depending on your individual progress and degree program.
The B.S. in Psychology program provides you with a broad understanding of psychology and its relevance in today's increasingly diverse and global society. You will apply psychological theories to current issues in psychology as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas: social awareness, responsibility, and civic engagement; cross-cultural competence; and evidence-based decision-making in an information-rich world. Take up to 70 percent of your courses in psychology or choose elective courses from other majors.
Concentrations
Accelerate Into Master's (AIM)
Transition from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree in less time with Walden's Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) degree option. AIM offers high-achieving undergraduate students an opportunity to take as many as five graduate-level courses in their undergraduate coursework. Upon completion, credits from these courses can be applied toward a master's degree. With the AIM degree option, you can earn your master's degree in as little as one year, depending on your individual progress and degree program.
Having secure information is important to businesses in every industry. By earning your Associate's degree online with a Specialization in Network Security and Forensics you will be prepared to protect networks from unauthorized access, misuse, and malfunction as well as from the improper disclosure of information. Your online computer forensics courses will prepare you to find data that has been lost or purposefully deleted from computing devices. The online curriculum for this specialization will provide you with many of the tools you need to become successful in the world of IT. Once you graduate, you could begin a career helping to protect the confidential information within an organization.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in criminal justice and a broad liberal arts education. The Web-based baccalaureate program combines the professional skills of specialized areas of criminal justice with research and analytical skills. As a graduate of this program, you may seek opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, fraud investigation, or juvenile justice facilities.* You can further specialize your degree by pursuing one of the following emphasis areas: computer crime, corrections, crime scene investigation, forensic psychology, homeland security, juvenile justice, or law enforcement. *Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional police academy training may be required for law enforcement jobs.
The Kaplan University online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to help prepare working law enforcement, other criminal justice professionals, and active military personnel to pursue career advancement. A master's degree may improve your chances for promotion, open doors to leadership positions, and qualify you to teach criminal justice in a variety of academic settings.* Personalize your degree by choosing one of the following specializations: corrections, global issues in criminal justice, law, leadership and executive management, or policing. *Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional police academy training may be required for law enforcement jobs.
The Associate in Science in Criminal Investigations program teaches the fundamentals of crime scene investigation science and theory. Subjects taught include but are not limited to criminalistics, fingerprints and latents, crime scene photography, technology crimes, collecting and presenting audio and visual evidence, and biological evidence.
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program may provide students with the skills necessary to maintain law and order; protect life and property; and conduct administration, planning, and research services. It is designed to help prepare students for entry-level opportunities in corrections, probation, immigration or security administration.
The Associate in Science in Paralegal program prepares students — under the direct supervision of an attorney — for entry-level work as paralegals in law offices or corporate legal departments. Students become familiar with the terminology, policies and procedures of common legal instruments such as contracts, wills, real estate documents and legal correspondence. Graduates may learn basic skills to interview, gather, review, and analyze factual situations; research the law; prepare and interpret legal documents; conduct day-to-day operations of a legal office, and more.
The Bachelor of Science in Paralegal program prepares graduates for more advanced work in law offices or corporate legal departments under the direction of an attorney. The curriculum introduces students to a wide range of legal topics such as contract law, litigation and criminal law, and expands into such areas as international law, worker's compensation, employment law, higher-level research and writing skills, advanced tort law and more.
Our Ph.D. in Business Administration/Criminal Justice degree program prepares students for one of the largest and fastest growing "industries" in society. The justice system requires the attention of trained managers, business thinkers, and planners, who can bring managerial understanding and skills to the problems of operating organizations within this industry at the local, state, federal, and multinational level to coordinate resources to handle many situations that might come up.
Prospective students must meet certain prerequisite requirements such as a bachelor's or master's degree or relevant work experience prior to enrolling. These requirements can be discussed with the career counselor when they call.
The online bachelor's degree in paralegal studies prepares graduates for employment in attorney's offices, courtrooms, corporations, insurance companies, governmental offices and banks. This paralegal degree online provides knowledge of legal office procedures, delivery of legal services, legal research and writing and paralegal training in professional skills, general education, and technical competencies.
With the online paralegal degree from Virginia College, you can enter a skilled and prestigious profession, and one in which job growth is expected.
This online bachelor degree program in paralegal studies is designed for those who require a degree for entry into the workforce or for advancement in a current position. It is especially helpful for those who may have accumulated credits toward a paralegal degree or who may already hold an associate degree in paralegal studies.
In this bachelor's degree program you'll enjoy interactive classes taught by industry professionals who will help you acquire:
• a broad-based understanding of the criminal justice field
• exposure to topics in constitutional law, criminal investigations and terrorism
• writing and communications courses to enhance reporting skills needed in many criminal justice professions
With this bachelor's degree program you can have a positive impact on your community. Our faculty of professionals who work in the field will guide you through:
• an in-depth review of correction-related issues such as correctional environments, law, administration and counseling
• coursework that utilizes writing and communications courses to enhance reporting skills
• a discussion of the high ethical standards expected of criminal justice professionals
In this bachelor's degree program you'll acquire skills necessary to launch your career in criminal justice. In interactive classes taught by industry professionals you'll be exposed to:
• an in-depth review of investigation-related issues such as crime scene investigation and digital and white collar crime
• writing and communications courses to enhance reporting skills needed in many criminal justice professions
• investigative techniques that can be applied to a wide variety of career choices in this field
A paralegal associate degree will provide a student with the skills needed to be a critical player and partner to attorneys. Over the course of the program our faculty of professionals with relevant experience will:
• teach the use of industry-standard online research tools, such as Westlaw®
• conduct classes that include content in areas such as real estate, bankruptcy and immigration and tort law
• emphasize legal terminology and how to conduct legal research and drafting legal documents
The AIU Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) degree program offers a dynamic curriculum focused on current technology trends and applications designed to help students learn how to evaluate emerging technologies in the application of appropriate information systems to manage and achieve organizational goals and objectives. By studying key topics in Digital Investigations to complete the upper division's core specialization requirements, AIU gives you the opportunity to gain a fundamental understanding in digital and network investigations as you pursue your interest in opportunities involving the detection and prevention of computer crime.
The AIU Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree program combines the required General Education courses that can provide liberal arts foundation with specialized coursework designed to give students a professional education in the criminal justice field, with particular emphases in policing, courts, criminology, corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security and the field of forensic science. By studying key topics in Law Enforcement to complete the upper division’s core specialization requirements, AIU gives you the opportunity to focus your interests on the acquisition of industry-specific knowledge and skills common to industry-current criminal justice professionals.
The AIU Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree program combines the required General Education courses that can provide liberal arts foundation with specialized coursework designed to give students a professional education in the criminal justice field, with particular emphases in policing, courts, criminology, corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security and the field of forensic science. By studying key topics in Corrections and Case Management to complete the upper division's core specialization requirements, AIU gives you the opportunity to focus your interests on the acquisition of industry-specific knowledge and skills common to criminal justice professionals.
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