How do I get into a bachelor's in criminal justice program?

Details vary by program, but schools generally open their criminal justice programs to applicants who meet general undergraduate admission requirements. These typically include a high school diploma or GED certificate, a satisfactory academic record, and test scores if they apply.

How long does it take to get a criminal justice degree online?

Most students need at least four years to complete an online criminal justice degree program. However, you can shorten your time to graduation by taking courses year-round, transferring credits from previous college experiences, or getting credit for nontraditional prior learning. Degree-completion programs in criminal justice can also help streamline your education.

Is criminal justice hard?

While you may find some coursework challenging, an online criminal justice degree is often considered a more accessible program. These degrees cover various components of criminal law and the criminal justice system, which some students might find difficult to understand. With the proper commitment and determination, you can succeed in a criminal justice degree program.

What can you do with a criminal justice degree?

With a bachelor's in criminal justice, you could qualify for roles in policing, corrections, private security, and social services. Law school is another popular option for criminal justice majors. You could also pursue a master of social work and become a licensed social worker, or a doctorate in forensic psychology and become a licensed psychologist.

Explore The Top Online Criminal Justice Degrees Of 2026

The academic and professional field of criminal justice extends to the systems and institutions involved in criminal prosecutions and offender rehabilitation. It specifically covers:

Law enforcement
Criminal court systems
Correctional systems

Criminal justice strives to ensure that offenders, crime victims, and communities receive fair treatment. The field also intersects with social justice, advocating for systemic reforms to prevent bias and discrimination in prosecution and sentencing.

An online criminal justice degree can equip you with the technical knowledge and practical skills you need to enter, advance, and thrive in the field. This guide focuses on programs at the bachelor's level, which support early-career opportunities.

Why Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree Online

Enjoy a flexible learning schedule while maintaining a full-time job.
Qualify for careers that allow you to make a difference and give back to your community.
Save money — many online schools for criminal justice have the same tuition rates for all students, regardless of state residency.

Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Why Accreditation Matters

Accreditation is a formal process in which independent accrediting agencies verify a school's academic quality against a set of standards. You must attend an accredited institution to qualify for federal financial aid.

Some academic programs and departments may be programmatically accredited, as well.

Though neither the Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes any specialized criminal justice accreditors, degree programs in this field may pursue endorsement by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Only a handful of criminal justice programs are currently endorsed by the ACJS.

Types of Online Criminal Justice Degrees

An online bachelor's degree in criminal justice can prepare you to pursue a career in policing, corrections, investigations, or another public safety field. This major may include courses in cybercrime, victimology, and terrorism. You might also participate in an internship focused on your interests, such as juvenile justice or crime prevention.

Schools commonly offer the following bachelor's degrees with a criminal justice major:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Emphasizes criminal justice's social, philosophical, and political elements
May be a good fit if you plan to attend law school or keep your career options open

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Teaches criminal justice from an administrative perspective
Could lead to a management role at a government, nonprofit, or private agency or firm

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Focuses on law enforcement's technical, technological, and quantitative side
Could lead to a career in policing, forensic science, fraud investigation, or security management

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)

Trains graduates for leadership or managerial roles in the field
Designed for current law enforcement professionals and students who already hold associate degrees

Find Online Criminal Justice Schools Near You

Is a Degree in Criminal Justice Worth It?

$9,910
Average annual tuition for an online criminal justice degree (2020)

$46,771
Average starting salary for criminal justice and corrections majors (2023)

Sources: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), National Association of Colleges and Employers

Average starting salaries for criminal justice majors fall below the overall average for bachelor's graduates from the class of 2023, as tracked by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

However, the degree can still generate a positive return on investment. The NACE-reported average starting salary for criminal justice majors exceeds the average total tuition cost of a four-year bachelor's degree, as tracked by NCES in 2020.

A criminal justice bachelor's degree also makes an excellent educational foundation for future in-field studies at the graduate level. According to NACE, graduates of master's criminal justice programs earned starting salaries that were 33% higher than the $46,771 figure quoted above.