Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online
Since the act of crime is not likely to vanish any time soon, all careers in the criminal justice field are fairly secure and likely to grow at an average to greater than average rate. If you have a desire to keep society safe by getting rid of the "bad guys" then a career in criminal justice could be right for you.
Popular careers in Criminal Justice include:
- police officer
- probation officer
- correctional officers working in jails and prison
- social workers assisting those in the court system
Get in-depth information on popular careers within criminal justice degrees.
Basic Requirements to Enter an Online Criminal Justice Degree Program
Requirements will vary depending on which degree you are seeking to achieve. In order to earn a master's you will already need your bachelor's degree. To enter a bachelor's and associate program, you will need to have your high school diploma or GED. Research the programs you are interested in for additional requirements, which could include a minimum GPA or test scores.
Check out top criminal justice degree programs and learn about their requirements.
Time Commitment for a Criminal Justice Degree Program Online
While an associate degree may be completed fairly quickly, in two years, you'll probably need more education to continue in the criminal justice field. A bachelor's degree will take about three to four years and a master's degree can take between one and two, depending on whether you work part or full time on your studies.
You can also enter a certificate program, available in areas such as crime scene investigation, terrorism and national security management, and criminal justice. Earning a certificate in criminal justice usually only requires one year of study.
Read more about the different degrees you can earn with an online criminal justice degree program.
Needed Attributes of Criminal Justice Professionals
After completing your degree, it'll be important for you to pick up on a number of skills. Those include: proficient analytical and critical thinking, decision-making skills, knowledge of the American legal system and an understanding of crime and criminals.
In a typical criminal justice program you'll probably study subjects like psychology, social work, communication, domestic violence, law enforcement, technology and crime and terrorism, so an interest in these fields is a must.
Learn what your coursework might be like during your program.