Best Online Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Programs 2024
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Accelerated criminal justice degrees provide the same quality education as on-campus programs — but they can save you time and even money. Additionally, an accelerated degree can help you break into the workforce more quickly.
So how do you find the best accelerated criminal justice degree? We've done some of that work for you. Our rankings below use data from the National Center for Education Statistics to help you identify the best online accelerated bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.
Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fastest Criminal Justice Degree Online Programs 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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San Diego State University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $492-$511
Out-of-State | $888-$907
Credits to Graduate: 48-66 (120 total)
As a student in SDSU's online BS in criminal justice program, you can finish your degree in as few as 15 months. The degree-completion program features courses in criminal and social justice, plus the option of an 18-credit public administration minor.
SDSU's online program features asynchronous courses in 10-week sessions and start dates every semester. For admission, you need at least 60 transferable credits and a minimum GPA of 2.8.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $385
Credits to Graduate: 120
In UMass Lowell's online BS in criminal justice program, you'll study systemic issues in criminal justice and develop research and statistical skills. You'll also complete a criminology capstone project at the end of the program.
Online courses run asynchronously through sessions lasting six, eight, 10, 12, and 15 weeks, depending on the semester. In total, you can complete your bachelor's degree within just 1-3 years. Or, you can opt for an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program and finish both degrees together in less than five years.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit Hour:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 55+ (120 total)
Citadel's online BA in criminal justice allows transfer students to complete their bachelor's degrees in less than two years. The program consists of 55 credits of upper-level criminal justice courses, plus an optional internship and a recommended leadership minor.
For admission, you'll need 30-65 credits from one of Citadel's partner technical colleges and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Citadel charges flat-rate tuition for fully online students taking 12-21 credits a semester, meaning learners with heavier course loads can save money.
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | Not Available
Credits to Graduate: 30+ (120 total)
Depending on your transfer credits, you might be able to complete OU's online BA in interdisciplinary studies with a major in criminal justice leadership in fewer than 12 months. The program features courses in the U.S. judicial process and conflict resolution, along with an interdisciplinary portfolio requirement.
OU's online program offers asynchronous eight-week classes and five start date options. For admission, you need to be five years removed from high school and have at least 60 undergraduate credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $350
Credits to Graduate: 60 (120 total)
UNI's online BAS in criminal justice provides you with practical training you can apply to various law enforcement careers. Required courses include advanced crime theory and crime and social inequality. There's also a criminology seminar that focuses on criminology career preparation.
UNI's program features full-time and part-time tracks, along with primarily asynchronous online classes and the occasional synchronous session. For admission, you must have an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $626-$678
Credits to Graduate: 120
Penn State's online BS in criminal justice leadership draws from over 100 years of distance-learning experience. The program covers topics in criminal justice ethics and alternatives to incarceration. You can even pursue an internship. Though online classes run asynchronously, you'll enjoy plenty of opportunities to engage with classmates and instructors throughout your studies.
Since Penn State charges a flat-rate tuition between 12 and 19 credits, heavier course loads can lead to savings. Even if you live out of state, you pay the same tuition rates as in-state students.
Mercer University
Macon, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $525
Credits to Graduate: 42+ (120 total)
Designed for busy and working students, Mercer's online BS in criminal justice leadership equips you to make ethical decisions in your field. Mercer offers students accelerated and asynchronous classes in four- and eight-week sessions, along with five annual start dates. Program graduates may be eligible for a tuition discount in the school's MS in criminal justice and public safety leadership program.
For admission, you must possess a minimum GPA of 2.25. Candidates with over two years of professional experience may qualify for transfer credits via competency tests.
SUNY College at Oswego
Oswego, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $3,535
Out-of-State | $4,240
Credits to Graduate: 57+ (120 total)
In SUNY Oswego's online BA in criminal justice program, you can earn your degree on your own schedule as a part- or full-time student. The program includes core courses in corrections, courts, and crime theories and victimization. Students can also participate in an optional internship with supervised fieldwork.
The school's online courses may run asynchronously or synchronously. For admission, you'll need an associate degree or the equivalent number of credits, as well as a minimum GPA of 2.3.
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $650
Credits to Graduate: 54+ (120 total)
Sacred Heart's online BS in criminal justice allows part-time students to earn their bachelor's degree in less than two years. You'll take courses in subjects like police-community relations and the juvenile justice system. You'll also complete a supervised criminal justice placement before the end of the program.
Sacred Heart boasts flexible online delivery, accelerated 7.5-week sessions, and small class sizes. Applicants can put a maximum of 66 credits toward their degree.
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $560
Credits to Graduate: 48+ (120 total)
DeSales' online BA in criminal justice is an accelerated program with rehabilitation and intelligence specializations available. In this program, you'll take courses in social problems and applied data analysis. You'll also get access to 10 annual start dates, evening classes once per week, and one-credit workshops.
The private university charges all students the same tuition rate, no matter where they live. For admission, you need to be one of the following: a minimum of five years removed from high school, a full-time professional, or a veteran. Accepted students may apply up to 75 transfer credits toward the program.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Just How Fast Is an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree?
Pursuing an accelerated criminal justice degree online generally means studying for roughly 2-3 years instead of the typical four years.
In an accelerated degree program, you'll still complete the standard 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree — just on a tighter schedule. Usually, this means coursework is condensed into seven- or eight-week sessions. Additionally, you'll probably need to take classes over the summer. Your exact course load will depend on your school and your schedule.
Some accelerated programs may be offered as degree-completion programs. This means you can earn your criminal justice degree in a shorter time frame — sometimes in as little as one year! — by transferring credits from previous college coursework.
To earn an accelerated criminal justice degree in two years, you must meet transfer credit requirements and take approximately 4-5 classes during each accelerated term.
Common Courses for an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree
Coursework in an accelerated criminal justice degree program prepares you for careers in the public and private sectors, including law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and private security.
Here are common classes you can expect to take in a fast criminal justice degree program:
- Criminology: This introductory course covers the principles of sociology, theories of criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. The class surveys the basic areas of study and provides a solid foundation for upper-level coursework.
- Cybercrime: This class provides a deeper look into crime theories, specific laws regarding technology, and investigative techniques. With the FBI reporting more than $4 billion lost in the U.S. alone in 2020 to cybercrimes, this course prepares you to work in the modern era.
- Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice: This course discusses ethical issues and how the Constitution works concerning personal rights, civil liberties, and institutional policies. You'll learn how to perform your job ethically while upholding the tenets of the law.
- Forensic Science: An introductory course to crime scene investigation, evidence gathering, and preservation, this class typically features a combination of lectures and labs. You'll study techniques in crime scene preservation and develop an understanding of crime lab operations.
Explore Top Online Criminal Justice Programs
Popular Jobs With a Fast Criminal Justice Degree
Although the job outlook for many criminal justice careers is average or below average, you can benefit from steady job security and reliable pay, with opportunities for professional advancement.
Criminal justice students can consider many career paths. Graduates often choose jobs focused on upholding the law. Police officers and detectives, for example, earn a median annual salary of $72,280.
Other graduates of accelerated criminal justice degree programs may work within the judicial system as paralegals and legal assistants — these professionals earn a median salary of $60,970.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Projected Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Detectives | $72,280 | 3% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $71,540 | 5% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,800 | 3% |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,970 | 4% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,100 | 6% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,300 | -8% |
| Bailiffs | $53,040 | -2% |
Want More Options? Check Out These Corrections Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Are criminal justice degrees worth it?
If you're passionate about law enforcement and crime prevention, you may find pursuing a criminal justice degree worthwhile. The degree can help you establish a successful career in fields such as law enforcement, private security, the judicial system, advocacy, and counseling.
A criminal justice degree also opens doors for career advancement, where consideration for promotions often requires a degree and field certifications.
Is criminal justice an easy degree?
The difficulty of a degree varies largely depending on your individual strengths and interests. However, criminal justice is generally considered a relatively easy college degree without too many technical courses.
On the BA criminal justice path, you may find the lectures and hands-on learning environment fairly accessible. In contrast, a BS in criminal justice program typically entails more math and science coursework with fewer reading and writing classes.
Although criminal justice may sound easier than other academic areas, such as STEM majors, the coursework still requires a lot of critical thinking and dedication.
Is a BA or BS better for criminal justice?
Whether a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in criminal justice is better depends on your career goals. Both degrees take the same amount of time to complete. Earning a BA is beneficial if you're unsure of your area of specialization and would like to explore more classes outside your major.
A BS, on the other hand, usually comes with more science-based and technical coursework, which specialized law enforcement agencies like the FBI may find more attractive.
Is it better to get a degree in criminal justice or criminology?
Ultimately, selecting the degree that best aligns with your career path is the better choice.
Generally, if you want to work in the field on a day-to-day basis helping maintain law and order, you should pursue a degree in criminal justice. Alternatively, an online criminology degree might be a better fit if you'd prefer to understand crime, the psychology behind why people commit crimes, and crime's direct impact on society.
