Online Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree Programs

An online criminal justice bachelor degree takes between two to four years to complete, depending on the school and program, and can help you advance in your current career or start a brand new career in law enforcement, homeland security, crime scene investigation, corrections, immigration, forensic science, probation, private detectives and related legal professions.

Some bachelors degree in criminal justice programs are designed to pick up after the associate's degree is already earned, and therefore may take less time to complete.

Graduates of a criminal justice bachelor degree program have far great job prospects and earning potential, than those with an associate degree in criminal justice. In addition, criminal justice bachelor degree holders stand better opportunities to qualify for jobs in state and federal agencies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, applicants with a bachelor's degree and several years of law enforcement or military experience, especially investigative experience, have the best opportunities for jobs in Federal agencies.

Online Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree Schools

The following colleges offer accredited online criminal justice bachelor degree programs.

Kaplan University was ranked #1 in 2006, for quality and value, in an independent survey of students and graduates of for-profit schools. Kaplan University is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and offers the following online bachelor degrees in criminal justice programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Computer Crime
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Juvenile Justice
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Law Enforcement
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Corrections
• Bachelor of Science Criminal in Justice - Forensic Psychology
• Bachelor of Science International and Comparative Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
• Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice - Administration and Management

Capella University is one of the largest accredited distance learning school, and offers the following online criminal justice bachelor degree program:

• B.S. in Criminal Justice

Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Your diploma from one of Keiser's online programs is identical those that on-campus students receive. Keiser University offers the following online criminal justice bachelor degree programs:

• Bachelors in Criminal Justice
• Bachelors in Homeland Security
• Bachelors in Legal Studies

Walden University is an accredited distance learning college that offers the following online bachelor in criminal justice degree programs:

• Bachelor Criminal Justice - Computer Information Systems and Security
• Bachelor Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals
• Bachelor Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Management and Administration
• Bachelor Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
• Bachelor Criminal Justice - Human Services for Criminal Justice

Everest University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Everest also offers tuition assistance, and includes the following online bachelors in criminal justice degrees:

• B.S. in Homeland Security
• B.S. in Criminal Justice
• B.S. in Paralegal

Strayer University is an accredited college that offers the following online bachelor degree programs in criminal justice:

• Bachelors in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
• Bachelors in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
• Bachelors in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Bachelors in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Technology

Virginia College offers the following criminal justice bachelor degree online program:

• Bachelors in Criminal Justice
• Bachelors in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security

American InterContinental University (AIU) Online offers the following online criminal justice bachelor degree programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Special Populations
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Forensic Science
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Law Enforcement

Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs - Education and Training

Students aspiring for an online bachelor degree in criminal justice or criminology can specialize in: Forensic Psychology, Law Enforcement, Private Security, Fraud Examination and Investigation, Corrections, Crime Analysis, or Crime Scene Investigation.

The bachelor degree program provides instruction in current criminal justice issues such as law enforcement operations, the courts and correctional institutions, private investigations, and victim and juvenile counseling. In addition to learning about theory and practice, students also gain exposure to the latest applied technologies and interact with practitioners in criminal justice. Having a bachelor degree in criminal justice also provides a strong foundation for those interested in going to law school.

Jobs and Salaries for those with a Degree in Criminal Justice

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, in 2006, police and sheriff's patrol officers earned an average of $47,460 while police and detective supervisors made $69,310 on average. Criminal investigators pay was $58,260 on average during the same period. In 2006, police chiefs made $78,547-$99,698. Salary.com reports that correction officers typically earn $31,900-$37,800, while highway patrol officers earn $41,000-$50,000, on average, depending on their location. These salaries have been growing in recent years and vary by location.

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