Best Online Schools for Criminal Justice Degrees

Selecting the best online schools for criminal justice degrees is essential in the competitive employment environment of today. The need for experts in this sector is expanding, and a successful career is greatly influenced by the caliber of one’s education. With the help of this article, which will walk you through the top online criminal justice degree programs, you can make an informed choice that will support your professional objectives.

Florida International University: This public university provides a bachelor of science in criminal justice program that is entirely online and covers subjects including crime prevention, criminal law, and research methodologies. Additionally, there are four concentrations available to students in this program: pre-law, homeland security and emergency management, criminal analysis, and crime science.

Western Carolina University: This public university trains students for employment in law enforcement, prisons, courts, and other criminal justice organizations through its online bachelor of science in criminal justice program. Additionally, the program provides a minor in homeland security that addresses intelligence analysis, emergency management, and terrorism.

Lewis University: This private institution provides an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on the moral and societal dimensions of the discipline. Three more tracks are available in the program: homeland security, forensic criminal investigation, and criminal and social justice.

What qualifications are needed to be admitted to these schools?

Depending on your prior coursework and experience, these schools’ online criminal justice programs have different entry requirements. The following enumerates the primary prerequisites for every school:

Florida International University: To get admitted, you must fulfill the general requirements of FIU and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. In addition, you must fulfill the foreign language requirement of Green School. You must have completed at least 75 credits of the bachelor’s degree requirements and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 in order to be eligible for the expedited bachelor’s or master’s degree program.

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Western Carolina University: requires applicants to hold an associate of arts (A.A.) or associate of science (A.S.) degree from an authorized community college, as well as one year of proven professional work experience in criminal justice or a related field. Alternatively, you can be well on your way to fulfilling the general education and liberal studies requirements for a community college in North Carolina. In addition, you must fulfill WCU’s general entrance requirements.

Lewis University: You must be a practicing criminal justice professional or hold a bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social science from an institution of higher learning that has received regional accreditation. If you don’t fit these requirements, you won’t be admitted as a degree candidate until you pass two criminal justice courses chosen by the program director with a B or above. It is also required that you have an undergraduate GPA based on the last 60 semester hours of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

These are the primary prerequisites for enrollment in these institutions’ online criminal justice programs.

How much does it cost to attend these schools?

Depending on how many credits you take and your resident status, these colleges charge different tuition for their online criminal justice programs. The tuition cost per credit hour for each school is listed below:

Florida International University: The cost of tuition for the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is $235.57 for citizens of Florida and $648.87 for those from other states.

Western Carolina University: The cost of tuition for the online B.S. in Criminal Justice program is $644.87 for non-residents of North Carolina and $154.37 for citizens of that state. This is less expensive than the average cost for the same degree at other universities ($44,799) or for-profit universities ($63,000).

Lewis University: The cost of tuition for all students pursuing an online B.A. in criminal justice is $445. All students must pay the $600 tuition fee to enroll in the online M.S. program in criminal justice.

What is the typical salary for a graduate in criminal justice?

In the US, the average pay for a graduate in criminal justice is $51,547. Nevertheless, this figure might change based on years of experience, specialization, and educational attainment. For instance, according to PayScale, the average salary in criminal justice can rise to $68,000 with a master’s degree.

What kinds of jobs are available to graduates in criminal justice?

Following graduation in criminal justice, some employment choices include:

Bailiff: Bailiffs are in charge of keeping the courtroom safe and in order. A high school diploma or its equivalent is normally required, and several states also demand formal training or a degree in criminal justice or similar subjects.

Correctional Officer: In detention or correctional facilities, correctional officers watch over and support detainees. A high school degree or its equivalent is typically required, and several states also call for an associate’s degree or a few college credits in criminal justice or similar subjects.

Professor of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement: At colleges and universities, professors of criminal justice and law enforcement instruct courses in criminal justice, law, and related fields. They usually require a PhD in criminal justice or a closely related discipline, and some may additionally have professional background in the legal or law enforcement spheres.

Detective or Criminal Investigator: To solve crimes and uphold the law, detectives and criminal investigators carry out investigations. A high school diploma or its equivalent is often required, while some may have specialized training in criminal justice or similar subjects or a college degree.

Fish and Game Warden: These individuals uphold the legal statutes pertaining to hunting, fishing, and wildlife. A high school diploma or its equivalent is often required, while some may have specialized training in criminal justice, natural resources, wildlife management, or a college degree.

Physical evidence from crime scenes is gathered and examined by forensic science technicians. Typically, they require a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, or a closely related discipline; some may also require a master’s degree or professional certification.

These are but a few of the professions available to graduates in criminal justice.

How can I become ready for a criminal justice career?

Although it does take some training and education, a career in criminal justice can be both demanding and rewarding. The following actions can help you become ready for a job in criminal justice:

Examine the various criminal justice career possibilities and pathways. Law enforcement, prisons, forensics, law, homeland security, and other subfields and specialties are all included in the large field of criminal justice. Investigate the many criminal justice career pathways and alternatives to see what interests you, what credentials and abilities you’ll need, and what the employment prospects and pay ranges are for each. The web search results can be used to compare and learn more about the various criminal justice occupations.

A degree or certificate in criminal justice or a similar discipline should be pursued. The majority of occupations in criminal justice involve postsecondary education in the form of an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or professional certificate. You should select a program that meets your needs and preferences based on your hobbies and career ambitions. Accredited online or on-campus programs in criminal justice or related subjects, such as public administration, psychology, or sociology, can be found using the search results on the internet. Additionally, search for programs that provide practicums, internships, or other chances for hands-on learning. These can help you network with possible employers and acquire useful experience.

Acquire the knowledge and abilities needed for employment in criminal justice. A variety of abilities and talents, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, ethics, teamwork, and leadership, are necessary for jobs in criminal justice. Whether it’s through your education, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or professional development, you should aim to acquire these competencies and skills. The web search results can be used to locate materials and advice on enhancing your criminal justice competencies and skills.

Develop your portfolio and resume. The two most important documents for displaying your training, abilities, accomplishments, and experience in criminal justice are your resume and portfolio. Your portfolio and resume should be tailored to the particular position or career path you are seeking, showcasing your accomplishments and relevant qualifications in the field of criminal justice. The web search results provide examples and templates of criminal justice profession resumes and portfolios, along with comments and suggestions for improvement.

Make connections with groups and experts working in the field of criminal justice. You can find out more about the criminal justice system, find new possibilities, and receive recommendations and referrals by networking with criminal justice experts and organizations. Networking and establishing connections with criminal justice experts and organizations can be achieved through several channels, such as social media, online platforms, conferences, events, workshops, and mentorship programs. You can join and participate in professional associations, groups, forums, and blogs related to criminal justice by using the search results on the internet.

These are a few of the actions you can take to get ready for a criminal justice career. I hope this aids in your professional preparation.

Which websites are good for students studying criminal justice?

Among the internet tools available to students studying criminal justice are:

Summaries of more than 200,000 research papers on drug misuse, juvenile justice, and criminal justice are available via the government-funded National Criminal Justice Reference Service. You can browse subjects by alphabet or category and obtain the complete texts of studies funded by the federal government.

Publications of the National Institute of Justice: The U.S. Department of Justice’s research division archives its journals and publications for convenient access. Information is available on subjects like law enforcement, forensics, corrections, and crime prevention.

Oxford Research Encyclopaedias is an authoritative collection of thorough encyclopedias covering a wide range of subjects, including criminal justice and criminology. Access to expert-written, peer-reviewed articles that are updated frequently is available.

The American Society of Criminology is a professional organization that advances the study and application of criminology. As a student member, you can sign up for conferences, publications, newsletters, and networking events.

Criminal justice is one of the many subjects covered by the broad online encyclopedia Britannica. In many facets of the field, you can discover articles, biographies, videos, and quizzes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the top online programme for a criminal justice degree is an important choice that needs to be carefully thought through. With the variety of programmes offered by the options above, you can customise your education to fit your unique interests and professional aspirations.

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