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Most people choose to pursue a career in criminal justice out of a desire to help keep their communities safe. And with the continued growth of nearly every aspect of the criminal justice system, employment opportunities continue to grow as well. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects in criminal justice related fields range from favorable to excellent.

Value of a Bachelors of Criminal Justice Degree

Graduates from top accredited online bachelor of criminal justice programs will be in an excellent position to take advantage of the growing demand for trained officers. A bachelor’s degree is increasingly a prerequisite for entrance into policing, investigations, corrections, law, social work and other criminal justice related fields. Anyone interested in doing graduate level work in any of these areas will need a bachelor’s degree as well.

Advantages of an Accredited Online Criminal Justice Degree

Online criminal justice degree programs are among the most popular online degree programs. Prospective students seeking an accredited online criminology or criminal justice degree now have several high quality choices for their education. In fact, many of the very best criminal justice programs in the country are now offered online. Among the many advantages of earning a degree from a top online criminal justice program is that student’s can maintain their employment and/or family responsibilities while earning their degree. Many of the best online criminal justice degree programs don’t require any campus visits.

How We Rank the Best Online Criminology & Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Online colleges and criminal justice degree programs vary widely in terms of quality, name recognition, and value. To assist those looking for a quality, accredited online criminology or criminal justice degree program, we’ve put together this ranking of what we consider to be the very best online schools offering criminology or criminal justice degree programs for 2013. Our rankings of the top online schools offering criminology or criminal justice degrees are based on publicly available data evaluated according to several different criteria, including reputation, accreditation, student satisfaction, ratio of students to instructors, and tuition. You can read more about our rankings philosophy and find a list of our other top college and degree rankings on our rankings page.

Top 10 Online Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Note that tuition rates are those listed as of July 2011 and may not include all applicable fees. Also, some of the programs are degree completion programs requiring some prior college credits prior to enrollment.

#1. Saint Leo University Online

Evaluation – A respected private university with over 100 years of experience in higher education offers a top-notch online bachelor-level criminal justice degree program rooted in the Catholic tradition.

Program: A 123 credit hour online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice. Specializations available in Criminalistics (using forensic science to analyze and interpret evidence) and Homeland Security. Program offers field education placements and possible employment with agencies like the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs, and Drug Enforcement Administration, among others. 100% online. No campus visit required, though graduates are invited to on-campus graduation ceremony.

Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Click here to learn more about online degrees at Saint Leo University

 

#2. Tiffin University Online

Evaluation – An established private university with over 100 years of practically focused education offers students two top-notch online criminal justice degree completion programs.

Program: Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) in Justice Administration or Emergency Management degree completion programs. Total credit hours dependent on number of prior credits, with two or more years of prior college credit required for enrollment. These are career-oriented programs that prepares students for professional positions in corrections, law enforcement, forensic psychology or emergency management.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Click here to learn more about online degrees at Tiffin University

 

#3. Regis University OnlineClick here to learn more about online degrees at Regis University

 

#4. Penn State University World Campus Online

Evaluation – A strong reputation and prestigious certification makes this program from a highly ranked public university among the best online bachelor of criminal justice degrees available.

Program:A 120 credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice program. The first online criminal justice degree certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Balances theoretical and practical aspects of crime control to prepares students for positions in juvenile and adult criminal justice, prevention and victim support. %100 online. No campus visits required.

Regional Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education.

 

#5. Washington State University Online

Evaluation – A top-ranked public university goes online with one of the oldest and best criminal justice bachelor degree programs in the country.

Program: An online Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree program. The second oldest continuous criminal justice program in the country and home to the first chapter of the national criminal justice honor society, Alpha Phi Sigma. %100 online. No campus visits required, though will be invited to campus graduation ceremony and other optional social events.

Regional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

 

#6. Drexel University Online

Evaluation – This prestigious private university’s historical strengths in computers, technology and biochemical/biotechnology make this a top online criminal justice programs for entry into an increasingly hi-tech field.

Program:A 182 credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice program. Part-time only and career oriented. Goes beyond strict law-enforcement focus to provide a broad cross-disciplinary academic foundation that prepares students for multiple career possibilities or graduate study. 100% online. No campus visits required.

Regional Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

 

#7. Arizona State University Online

Evaluation – This top-rated public university with a technologically sophisticated online division offers one of the best online bachelor of criminology and criminal justice degree programs around at a very reasonable cost.

Program: A 120 credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology and Criminal Justice from ASU’s College of Public Programs. Same instructors, courses and degree as on-campus program. Focuses on policies and practices of the criminal justice system. 100% online. No campus visits required.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

 

#8. Portland State University Online

Evaluation – Some of the lowest tuition around and the resources of a respected public university make this one of the best online bachelor of criminology & criminal justice programs in the country.

Program: An 86 credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology & Criminal Justice degree completion program administered by PSU’s Hatfield School of Government. Entering students must have an associates degree or at least 45 quarter-credit (30 semester credit) hours of transferable college work prior to enrollment. Provides comprehensive overview of all aspects of the criminal justice system. Senior capstone project required. 100% online. No campus visits required.

Regional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

 

#9. Grand Canyon University Online

Evaluation – This established private university offers one of the best online criminal justice degree program operating out of an explicitly Christian worldview.

Program: A 120 credit hour online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice Studies degree program. Utilizes a systems perspective to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system from a systems perspective. Designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, social work, and political science, among other fields. A Christian worldview is integrated into all aspects of the degree program.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

 

#10. Bellevue University Online

Evaluation – This private university with an award-winning online and distance learning division offers a top accelerated online bachelor of criminal justice administration degree program at a very affordable rate.

Program: A 36 credit hour online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Accelerated Degree Completion Program. Designed for professionals already working in or in close association with the criminal justice system who seek to move into administrative positions. Students are assigned to a cohort with whom they take courses together in the prescribed order. 100% online. No campus visits required.

Regional Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.

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