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Rachel Drummond, MEd
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Online Criminal Justice Programs
“The future of the field will have an emphasis on human service. It’s the common element that ties everything under the criminal justice umbrella together.”Todd Armstrong, PhD, Professor and Interim Director, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska Omaha
Criminal justice is a dynamic field that encompasses the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime, as well as the administration of justice. With the increasing complexity of issues like cybercrime, forensic technology, and community-based justice initiatives, the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. Careers in criminal justice offer opportunities to make a meaningful impact, ranging from frontline roles in law enforcement and corrections to investigative and advisory positions in federal agencies, cybersecurity, and forensic science.
A criminal justice degree provides foundational knowledge in key areas like criminology, criminal law, forensic science, and psychology. These programs also emphasize critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and an understanding of the social and legal contexts of crime, preparing graduates for a broad range of career paths.
Students can pursue degrees at various levels, from associate to doctoral, each offering unique advantages and potential career trajectories. While an associate degree can open doors to entry-level roles in law enforcement or corrections, a bachelor’s degree provides more in-depth training, equipping graduates for advanced roles or specialized fields such as criminal investigation, probation, or forensic analysis. For those interested in research, teaching, or leadership roles, master’s and doctoral programs offer an opportunity to specialize further and gain expertise in areas like criminal justice policy, homeland security, and criminal psychology.
Many criminal justice programs, available both on-campus and online, now integrate experiential learning, allowing students to gain hands-on skills through internships, labs, or capstone projects. These experiences bridge academic study and practical application, helping graduates enter the workforce with a comprehensive skill set. With the added support of professional organizations like the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, which promotes educational standards and policy advocacy, students and professionals in the field can engage with current research, network with peers, and stay informed about best practices.
For those interested in understanding and impacting the justice system, criminal justice degree programs offer a pathway to careers dedicated to safety, fairness, and community well-being. To learn more, read on.
| Featured Undergrad Criminal Justice Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Criminology and Criminal Justice (BS) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Criminology and Criminal Justice - Policing (BS) | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BS in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BSCJ - Criminology and Crime Analysis | Visit Site |
| Walden University | BS - Criminal Justice (BSCJ) | Visit Site |
| Walden University | BSCJ - Crime and Criminal Investigation | Visit Site |
| sponsored × When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Ask the Expert: Todd Armstrong, PhD
Dr. Todd Armstrong is a professor and interim director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). He earned his master’s and doctorate in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Dr. Armstrong has held faculty positions at Arizona State University West, Southern Illinois University, Sam Houston State University, and UNO, where he has chaired the Doctoral Program Committee at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice since 2018.
Dr. Armstrong’s research focuses on the nature and origins of criminal propensity, criminological theory, and policy and program evaluation. He is ranked fourth nationally for sole author publications in high-impact journals and has received numerous awards, including a fellowship from the Academy of Experimental Criminology and the Young Experimental Scholar Award.
ForensicsColleges.com: What is something you wish the public understood about criminal justice?
Dr. Armstrong: That criminal justice is much broader than most people think. It includes law enforcement, victimology and victim studies, program and policy analysis, and public administration. It also increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making.
ForensicsColleges.com: What advice would you give to aspiring criminal justice students?
Dr. Armstrong: Reach out to the programs that you are interested in. Make connections and see which program is best for you. Look at faculty and pay attention to objective indicators of program quality like funded research projects and faculty publications in peer-reviewed journals.
ForensicsColleges.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Dr. Armstrong: The future of the field will have an emphasis on human service. It’s the common element that ties everything under the criminal justice umbrella together.
Criminal Justice Programs: Common Admissions Prerequisites & Courses
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Application requirements: official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g. >2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
- Common courses: criminology; sociology; constitutional law; psychological profiling; deviance & violence; American government; policing, business law; ethics in criminal justice; juvenile justice; private security; report-writing
- Sample program: Purdue Global
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Application requirements: official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g. >2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
- Common courses: introduction to law; policing & corrections in America; security & police administration; aspects of the juvenile justice system; deviance & social control; victimology; gender, race & crime; punishment & social theory; criminal justice organizations; law, society & justice; criminal procedure; working with offender populations; issues in contemporary law enforcement; reentry & community corrections; serial murder
- Sample program: Sam Houston State University
Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Application requirements: official transcripts from bachelor’s program (e.g., criminal justice, biology, chemistry, forensic science, or related discipline) with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), proof of specific coursework (e.g., introduction to CJ, law, statistics, etc.), personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
- Common courses: criminal justice theory; law & social control; organizational theory & analysis in criminal justice; criminal justice ethics & decision making; advanced research methods in criminology & criminal justice; statistical analysis, theory & research in policing, courts & corrections; criminal justice legislation & policy; critical criminology; typologies of crime & criminal behavior; contemporary issues in victimology; restorative & community justice; crime mapping
- Sample program: University of Nebraska, Omaha
Doctoral Degree in Criminal Justice
- Application requirements: official transcripts from all university degrees with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.2), completion of specific coursework, resume or CV, personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE), TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English (e.g. >550 [paper-based] or 213 [computer-based]), application fee
- Common courses: criminological theory; research design; legal aspects of the criminal justice system; dissertation or capstone project
- Sample program: Arizona State University
Online Criminal Justice Programs
Purdue Global (AS)
Purdue Global offers an online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program. Students will explore the nuances of criminology, criminal investigation, criminal law, domestic and international terrorism, and counterterrorism. The program focuses on practice experience, giving students the opportunity to apply the techniques and skills they’ve learned in school to real-world criminal justice scenarios in a final capstone project.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: Two years
Sam Houston State University (BA/BS)
Sam Houston State University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, designed for students interested in gaining a solid grounding in law enforcement, corrections, and the broader criminal justice system. This program covers essential subjects like criminology, criminal law, and the operations of various justice institutions, blending both theory and applied skills. As one of the highest ranked criminal justice programs in the nation, its faculty have been recognized as some of the most productive researchers nationally by the Journal of Criminal Justice Education.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Duration: Four years
University of Nebraska, Omaha (BS)
The University of Nebraska, Omaha, offers a fully-online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The curriculum includes classes with topics such as: police and society; criminal procedure; race, ethnicity, and criminal justice; law and the black community; and applied statistics and data processing in the public sector. Students may choose to concentrate in either policing or victimology and victim services.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: Four years
University of Nebraska, Omaha (MS)
The online Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska, Omaha is consistently ranked as one of the top ten in the nation. The curriculum includes classes with topics such as: the nature of crime; intimate partner violence; community-based corrections; and race, crime, and injustice. The program also offers the option to add a Graduate Certificate in Managing Juvenile and Adult Populations for additional credentials.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: 18 months
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program offers a comprehensive education designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and address crime and its impact on society. The curriculum covers key areas such as the causes and consequences of crime, the functioning of criminal justice agencies, and effective crime management strategies. Students engage in courses that emphasize research, analytical thinking, and communication, preparing them for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the legal system, and related fields.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: Four years
Arizona State University’s online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program is ideal for individuals aiming to enhance their expertise in criminal justice, pursue leadership roles, or prepare for doctoral studies. The curriculum encompasses subjects such as criminology, law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice policy, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices. Students benefit from a flexible, fully online format that accommodates working professionals and provides access to leading faculty and cutting-edge research.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: 18 months
The University of Cincinnati’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers a comprehensive education designed to equip professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in the field. Ranked among the top programs in the nation, this MS degree covers key areas such as criminology, law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice policy, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices. The program is ideal for individuals aiming to enhance their expertise in criminal justice, pursue leadership roles, or prepare for doctoral studies.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Duration: 12 months
Criminal Justice Professional Credentialing
While credentialing varies by state of residence and role, there are some common credentialing entities among criminal justice professionals. In addition to state police academies and other local bodies, the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) has recognized nine certifying entities related to forensics work, many of which are relevant to the criminal justice field. For example, the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) has various five-year professional certifications in six subfields: comprehensive criminalistics, molecular biology, drug analysis, fire debris, hair & fiber, and paint & polymer. Candidates for these credentials must have at least a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience in criminalistics, and a passing score on a comprehensive examination.
Other FSAB-recognized certifying authorities include:
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
- American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
- International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)
- Crime Scene Certification Board, International Association for Identification (IAI)
- International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences (IBFES)
Accreditation for Criminal Justice Programs
Prior to enrolling in any criminal justice program, students are encouraged to verify the school or program’s accreditation status. When conducted by recognized authorities, the process of accreditation implies that a given educational program has met baseline standards of quality in terms of program facilities; comprehensiveness of curricula; administrative effectiveness; student outcomes, and other measures. There are two main types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional.
For programmatic approval, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) certifies criminal justice programs around the country. Perhaps more importantly is institutional accreditation, which is offered by one of six regional authorities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Finally, aspiring online students in criminal justice are also advised to verify their school’s “state authorization” status, which governs whether or not an institution in one state can provide distance-based education to students residing in another state. This information is typically readily available on program websites or can be ascertained from program coordinators.
Rachel Drummond has given her writing expertise to ForensicsColleges.com since 2019, where she provides a unique perspective on the intersection of education, mindfulness, and the forensic sciences. Her work encourages those in the field to consider the role of mental and physical well-being in their professional success.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.
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Matt Zbrog
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about the increasing digitization of investigations, the growing importance of forensic science, and emerging areas of investigative practice like open source intelligence (OSINT) and blockchain forensics. His writing and research are focused on learning from those who know the subject best, including leaders and subject matter specialists from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). As part of the Big Employers in Forensics series, Matt has conducted detailed interviews with forensic experts at the ATF, DEA, FBI, and NCIS.