The 50 Best Associates in Criminal Justice Online
Updated April 27, 2021 | Staff Writers
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According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, entry-level jobs in the field of criminal justice are expected to grow by 7% by the year 2026. That’s about as fast as average for all occupations, but this outlook can vary significantly depending on location. Those who desire to work in the field of criminal justice may benefit from the growing number of online associates degree in criminal justice programs available today. These offerings are convenient, even for working professionals, and most of them can be completed entirely online without any visits to campus. Furthermore, some online associate’s programs have on-campus offerings that mirror their distance learning options, meaning students often receive instruction from the same high-quality faculty members who teach traditional courses. In this ranking, we explore the top 50 online associates degree criminal justice offerings and discuss their unique features. For broader information on online degree programs, see our general ranking of the best online colleges available.
Tuition Points:
Under $20,000 - 1 point
Under $15,000 - 2 points
Under $10,000 - 3 points
Under $ 5,000 - 4 points
Online Associates Degree in Criminology Customization Options:
Content Customizations (e.g., Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.) - 1 Point Per Customization Option
Format Customizations (e.g., Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, etc.) — 1 Point Per Customization Option
Wow Factor:
1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us
Top Online Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Programs
The search for the top 50 online associates criminal justice degree programs began with an initial pool of over 70 accredited colleges and universities. To narrow the field, we selected the schools with tuition costs of around $20,000 or less according to College Navigator and the Integrated Postsecondary EucationData System (IPEDS). All school data was collected from these sources and the schools' official websites at the time of this article's publication. Additional statistics are from BLS.gov unless otherwise noted. Finally, we applied the rating and ranking methodology below, using information from each school’s website. The result of these efforts is the following ranking of the top 50 online associate’s in criminal justice programs. Please note that in the case of a tie, the more affordable school received the higher ranking.
Featured Online Schools
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 9
Tuition: $3,808
Columbus State Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice with four optional tracks: Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Academy, Law Enforcement Professional, and Probation & Supervision. All classes are offered in a traditional setting as well as online, so students can complete their program via a hybrid format or completely online. Students who choose the Criminal Justice Track can further specialize their studies in homeland security, crime scene investigations, victim advocacy, or crime prevention. Sample course topics from these online associates degree in criminal justice options include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Spanish for Law Enforcement, Introduction to Addition Studies, and Community Relations.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 9
Tuition: $4,460
Genesee Community College’s online associates degree in criminal justice offerings include both an Associate of Science (AS) and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice. In addition, students can specialize their program by choosing an emphasis in corrections, forensic science, or homeland security/emergency management. While the AS degree is suitable for those students interested in transferring to a four-year university for further study, the AAS degree is a vocational program that prepares students for entry-level careers in criminal justice. Required core courses include Administration in Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigation: Law and Process, Policing, and Introduction to Corrections.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 7
Tuition: $4,079
Bossier Parish Community College offers a flexible online associates degree in criminal justice that can be completed in a traditional, 2-year format or in an accelerated 1-year format. Interested students may also choose to specialize in the Medicolegal Death Investigation concentration. Major-specific courses include Criminalistics, Evidence and Procedure, Juvenile Justice, and Accident Investigation. This online associates degree criminal justice program results in an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.
WeOnline Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $4,037
Volunteer State Community College offers two online associate’s in criminal justice options: the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, Tennessee Transfer Pathway Degree (ASTTP) and the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice (AAS). The ASTTP option is designed for those students who plan to complete their studies in criminology at a 4-year college or university while the AAS program prepares students to enter the field of criminal justice upon graduation from their online associates degree in criminal justice program. A fast-track degree option also allows students to complete either degree program in as few as 18 months.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $4,368
Schenectady County Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice that is almost identical to its on-campus offering. The curriculum features foundational courses in criminal justice as well as unique classes like Airport Security and Management and Terrorism and Public Security. An internship in criminal justice is optional and available to qualified students. It is important to note that this particular online associate’s in criminal justice degree program is offered mostly online, meaning some campus visits may be required.
WeOnline Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $4,959
Monroe Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice program from its School of Community Engagement & Development that can be completed entirely online. The program is a transfer degree program, meaning it prepares students for study in criminal justice at the bachelor’s level. Standout programs include Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Constitutional Law and Rights of People, Criminology, and Community Values and the Administration of Justice. An internship component is required for this online associate’s in criminal justice.
WeOnline Associate of Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $4,980
Herkimer County Community College offers an online associates degree criminal justice program featuring both an Associate of Science (AS) and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice. While the AS degree program prepares students to major in criminology or a related subject in the social sciences at a four-year college or university, the AAS degree program readies students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, investigation, and more. All classes are available online and taught by the same professors who teach on campus. Courses required for this online associates in criminal justice degree are asynchronous, so students can work on their own schedules and at their own pace.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $5,154
Onondaga Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice that includes an optional concentration in Delinquency Studies. Key courses in the major include Ethics and Criminal Justice, Corrections Process, Criminal Law, and Law Enforcement Process. Those students who elect to pursue the delinquency studies concentration will take additional courses such as Juvenile Justice System, Juvenile Delinquency, and Sexual Violence and the Criminal Justice System. It is important to note that this online associates degree in criminal justice program does require an internship prior to graduation.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $5,299
Tidewater Community College is home to a broad online associates degree criminal justice offering that results in an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. The program features three specializations: Forensic Science, Homeland Security, and Public Law. Core criminology courses include Criminal Law, Evidence and Procedures, Introduction to Corrections, and The Juvenile Justice System. Class sizes are small, and faculty members are experts in the field of criminal justice. This online associates degree in criminal justice mirrors TCC’s on-campus degree program.
Online Associate in Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $5,824
San Antonio College offers several online associates degree in criminal justice offerings, including an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, and Associate of Applied Science in Corrections, and an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement. Some sample courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Crime in America, and Criminal Investigation. It is important to note that some classes may require campus visits, and courses for this online associates degree in criminal justice program may be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the instructor.
Online Associate’s in Criminology
Points: 6
Tuition: $7,881
SUNY College of Technology- Canton’s online associates degree in criminal justice option is an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice with three distinct learning tracts: Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Generalist. Core courses include Forensic Investigations, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Law. Students who wish to continue their studies after graduation can do so by transferring into the B. Tech in Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security, or Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Leadership programs at SUNY Canton. This online associate’s in criminal justice program boasts a 100% job placement rate for students willing to relocate.
Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Points: 6
Tuition: $7,887
Northern State University offers its online associates degree in criminal justice through its College of Arts & Sciences. Required courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Law. Students can also customize their program through the selection of elective courses. Some elective options are Social Deviance, Crime Scene Investigation, Policing in a Free Society, and Victimology. Internships are optional for this online associated degree in criminal justice, but those students who choose to complete one will receive elective credit for doing so.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $3,232
The online associates degree in criminal justice option from Lone Star College is a field of study transfer degree designed to prepare students for baccalaureate study in criminal justice. Enrolled students will fulfill their general education requirements by taking classes such as Composition & Rhetoric, Principles of Sociology, and General Psychology. They will also take introductory classes in criminal justice like Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Court Systems & Practices, and Correctional Systems & Practices. Lone Star College is an open-enrollment institution, meaning most students who apply for this online associates degree in criminal justice will be accepted into the program.
Online Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology
Points: 5
Tuition: $3,366
The online associates degree criminal justice offering from Polk State University is a unique Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology. In addition to 18 credit hours of required general education courses, the curriculum for the program is comprised of major-specific classes like Criminal Justice Organization and Administration, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Criminal Evidence and Procedure, and Juvenile Justice. An internship is optional and counts as elective credit. Other electives for this online associates degree in criminal justice include Introduction to Crime Scene Techniques, Probation and Parole, and Critical Issues in Criminal Justice.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $3,660
The online associates degree in criminal justice offering from Front Range Community College is an Associate of Arts program. Enrolled students will take general education courses in mathematics, history, and arts and humanities as well as social and behavioral science classes such as Social Psychology and Digital Forensics and criminal justice classes like Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Justice Research Methods, and Criminal Profiling. The college has a transfer agreement with several universities in the state, including Colorado State University’s global campus, meaning students interested in pursing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice after graduation from their online associates in criminal justice program will have no problem doing so.
Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $3,735
Shoreline Community College’s online associates degree in criminal justice offering is a 90-credit hour interdisciplinary associate in arts transfer degree. This means that upon graduation, students will be prepared to transfer to a private or public, four-year college or university for further study in criminology. Enrolled students will take courses in contemporary issues in criminal justice, including Forensic Science, Interviewing and Interrogations, Defense and Control Tactics, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. In addition to this online associates degree in criminal justice program, Shoreline also offers an online criminal justice certificate in child advocacy.
Online Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $3,846
Del Mar College offers both an online associates degree in criminal justice as well as an on-campus counterpart. The curriculum for these programs is mostly prescribed, consisting of course titles such as Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Federal Constitution and Topics, Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement, and Police Systems and Practices. This online associates in criminal justice program is appropriate for students who wish to transfer to a four-year school after graduation to further their studies in criminal justice as well as those who hope to begin a career in law enforcement, the courts, or corrections after completing their associates degree program.
Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $4,224
Eastern Oklahoma State College offers a fully online associates degree in criminal justice from its Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences. This particular online criminology offering is an Associate of Science program designed for students who plan to eventually continue their studies in criminology, corrections, forensics, or pre-law at a four-year university. Graduates may find careers as police officers, FBI agents, juvenile delinquency counselors, probation officers, criminologists, and more. Subject-specific scholarships are available for qualified students who wish to pursue this online associate’s in criminal justice degree.
Online Associate of Art in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $4,284
The online associates degree in criminal justice from Tyler Junior College is designed for students who eventually wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminology or criminal justice. The 60-credit hour program features a prescribed curriculum comprised of courses such as Court Systems and Practices, Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Police Systems and Practices, and Correctional Systems and Practices. Classes are taught by faculty members with a combined 200-plus years of experience in the field of criminal justice, including retired police officers, corrections officers, detectives, and other criminal justice professionals.
Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $4,730
Points: 5
Students enrolled in the online associates degree in criminal justice program at Middlesex Community College can choose from either a law enforcement option or a transfer option. Those who elect to pursue the law enforcement option will be prepared to join the police force after graduation while those who pursue the transfer track will gain a foundation for further study in criminology on the baccalaureate level. While studies in the law enforcement option will be specialized, the transfer option will allow students to explore broader topics in criminology such as corrections, juvenile justice, and victimology. Service learning is encouraged throughout both online associates degree in criminal justice programs.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $5,067
Jefferson Community College offers a robust online associates degree in criminal justice offering that prepares students for further bachelor’s-level studies in criminal justice as well as for entry-level positions in the field immediately following graduation. The required curriculum covers topics such as criminal evidence, criminal administrative procedures, and juvenile delinquency. A wide range of elective courses are also available, allowing students to explore topics such as sex-crime investigations, community corrections, interviews/interrogations, and more. Professors who teach online courses are the same experienced faculty members who teach on campus.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $6,540
Grantham University boasts a flexible online associate’s degree in criminal justice. This 61-credit program generally takes two years to complete. However, students can increase or decrease how much time they spend in the program by adjusting the number of classes they take each term to fit their individual needs. Courses start monthly, so students don’t have to wait several months to start their education. Students who earn an online associates in criminal justice at Grantham are well-prepared for both further education and entry-level positions in careers such as loss prevention and corporate security.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $6,880
American Military University’s online associate’s degree in criminal justice is one of its most popular programs. It is designed to give students a basic foundation in criminal justice that can be applied to a wide variety of career paths. The curriculum is developed and taught by leaders with experience working in government agencies and other criminal justice organizations. Students typically complete this degree in just two years, but they can take as long as seven years if needed. Students can also take advantage of monthly course starts to begin working towards their online associates degree in criminal justice when it’s most convenient for them.
WeOnline Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 5
Tuition: $7,344
The online associates degree in criminal justice offering from White Mountains Community College is an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security. Aside from electives, the curriculum for the program is entirely prescribed and features course titles such as Justice and the Community, Terrorism, Corrections Operations, and Public Administration. Police academy and corrections academy graduates may receive credit for some required courses. A criminal justice internship or senior project is also required as a culmination to this online associates degree in criminal justice.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice & Criminology
Points: 5
Tuition: $11,601
Kaplan University offers an online associates degree in criminal justice that is both comprehensive and affordable. The curriculum has been developed with the input of industry leaders who are active in organizations like the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. This means that the coursework not only follows the standards established by the ACJS but also includes knowledge and training that potential employers are seeking. Students earning their online associates in criminal justice at Kaplan can also take advantage of the Kaplan University Tuition Cap, meaning that they are guaranteed to pay a fixed amount for their studies even if they have to retake a course.
Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $3,890
South Texas College’s online associates degree criminal justice offering is a 60-credit hour Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice. In addition to the 42-credit hour STC core liberal arts curriculum, enrolled students are required to take field of study courses such as Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Correctional Systems and Practices, Court Systems and Practices, and Criminal Investigation. Graduates of this versatile online associates degree in criminal justice may find entry-level employment in the field at the local, state, or even federal levels or transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in criminal justice or criminology to continue their education.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice: Police Studies
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,043
Cayuga Community College offers a 63-credit hour online associates degree in criminal justice option with an emphasis in police studies. The program is versatile, preparing students for both entry-level employment in law enforcement or investigations or for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in criminology. Standout courses include Organization and Administration of Justice Systems, Constitutional Law, Criminology, and Laws of Evidence. A course in Spanish for Public Safety Officials is also required for this online associates degree in criminal justice.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,175
Columbia Southern University offers an online associate’s degree in criminal justice that provides students with the theoretical and practical foundations required for entry-level positions in the field. Major courses include criminal law, judicial process, and corrections. Most students graduate from this program in about three years. However, students can take more or less time depending on how heavy of a course load they want to take on. Students who graduate with an online associate’s in criminal justice from CSU are prepared not only for work in criminal justice organizations, but also for further study towards a bachelor’s degree.
Online Associate in Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,394
Quinsigamond Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice with an optional Law Enforcement Certificate. Standout courses include Technologies in Criminal Justice, The Dynamics of Racial and Ethnic Relations, Juvenile Delinquency & the Juvenile Justice System, and Criminal Investigation. Students who graduate from this comprehensive online associates degree in criminal justice will be well-prepared for baccalaureate study in criminal justice or for entry-level positions in law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, federal agencies, and more.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,408
Erie Community College’s online associates degree in criminal justice program is a diverse offering that allows students the freedom to take a reduced academic load, transfer to the school’s Law Enforcement AAS, or transfer to a baccalaureate program in criminal justice or a related area. In addition to general education courses, students will take classes in the major such as Criminal Courts and Procedures, Criminal Justice Ethics, Criminal Law, and Introduction to Corrections. Graduates of this online associates degree in criminal justice will be qualified for careers in law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, emergency services, the courts, and related fields.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,426
Hudson Valley Community College offers an online associates degree in criminal justice that prepares students for entry-level jobs in law enforcement and corrections or for further study in criminal justice at a four-year college or university. This 60-credit hour associate of applied science program is offered entirely online, and distance education students receive the same diploma as their on-campus peers. Hudson Valley Community College is a SUNY community college and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $5,762
The online associates degree criminal justice option from Prince George’s Community College is an Associated of Applied Science in Criminal Justice option that prepares students for entry-level positions in law enforcement, corrections, court services, private security, juvenile justice, and related areas of criminal justice. In addition to general education courses, students will complete nine required criminal justice courses, including Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice, Police Operations, Criminal Investigation, and Juvenile Delinquency. The college has partnered with the Prince George’s County Police Department, and students who complete the department’s Police Academy can receive up to 18 hours of transfer credit to apply to their online associates in criminal justice.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $6,495
National American University offers a self-guided online associates degree in criminal justice from its Online Criminal Justice School. Key courses include Introduction to Forensics in Criminal Justice, Cybercrime in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Terrorism, and U.S. Corrections. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers as police officers, corrections, officers, and detectives, though some additional licensing requirements may need to be met prior to employment by a local, state, or federal agency. Those students interested in continuing their education beyond the online associates in criminal justice may wish to enroll in National American University’s online bachelors or master’s degree in criminal justice studies.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $7,575
The online associates degree in criminal justice offering from the University of Maine- Fort Kent is an AA in Criminal Justice that can be completed entirely online. The curriculum is comprised of 29 credit hours of general education requirements as well as criminal justice requirements such as Principals of Investigations, Introduction to Forensic Science, and Constitutional Law. Students can choose up to 13 hours of elective credits to customize their program content. Recommended support courses for this online associate’s in criminal justice program include Principles of Business, Business and Professional Speaking, and Statistics.
WeOnline Associate of Police Studies
Points: 4
Tuition: $8,868
Eastern Kentucky University’s online associates degree in criminal justice option is an associates in police studies. The curriculum for the program is delivered entirely online and covers topics such as criminal justice technology, criminal justice ethics, contemporary policing strategies, and crime patterns. Students also have the option of complementing their degree program with one of several available undergraduate certificates. Upon graduation from this online associates degree in criminal justice program, students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology or find employment as state and local law enforcement officers, victims’ advocates, policy analysts, school resource officers, and more.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $9,791
Indiana Wesleyan University’s online associate’s degree in criminal justice is primarily designed for students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. It includes both a strong foundation in criminal justice principles and the majority of the general education courses required by many BS programs. The program takes just over two years to complete, with students moving through the program as a cohort. This program is ideal for students looking for an online associate’s in criminal justice with a little more structure.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $10,701
McHenry County College offers an online associate’s in criminal justice in an accelerated format. It is delivered in a cohort model. This means students don’t enjoy as much freedom as they might in other programs, but it can be beneficial to students who work better with more structure. Prospective students should also note that while this program is primarily online, students are required to take Introduction to Speech in a classroom setting. Unlike more career-oriented online associate’s in criminal justice programs, this program is specifically designed for students who plan to transfer into a bachelor’s program.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 4
Tuition: $14,460
Monroe College’s online associate’s in criminal justice is designed to be flexible and career-oriented. Coursework is delivered in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous formats. While the degree can be earned completely online, students are encouraged to create a hybrid schedule of both online and on-campus classes if it fits their individual needs. Monroe is also transfer-friendly, allowing students to easily apply credits from other institutions or earn credits for real-world experience. Because the curriculum for this program is designed to be broad, it is recommended for students are interested in earning an online associates in criminal justice, but don’t have a specialization in mind.
WeOnline Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 3
Tuition: $5,580
Iowa Central Community College’s online associate’s in criminal justice is a two-year, 67-semester hour Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. Courses are taught by an experienced faculty with an average of 25 years of experience in the criminal justice field. Prior to beginning their teaching careers, these professors were sergeant deputies, deputy sheriffs, investigators, US Marshalls, narcotics task force officers, and more. The curriculum for this online associates degree in criminal justice program is delivered entirely online, and no campus visits are required.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 3
American Intercontinental University offers an online associate’s degree in criminal justice that is designed to be more industry-focused. Students in this program still receive a solid liberal arts education, but the program focuses primarily on the major as opposed to the general education requirements. Topics studied include corrections, crime causation, American law and courts, and juvenile delinquency. This program is ideal for students looking for an online associate’s in criminal justice that prepares them for quick entry into the workforce.
Tuition: $10,966
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 3
Tuition: $12,240
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Florida Institute of Technology offers an online associates degree criminal justice program featuring a liberal arts core. Students will also explore topics in criminology and criminal justice such as delinquency and prevention, criminal investigation, social problems, and substance abuse. The program is multidisciplinary and can prepare students for careers as court administrators, private security officers, crime scene investigators, youth caseworkers, and more. Florida Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award this online associates degree in criminal justice program.
Online Associate in Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 3
Tuition: $13,700
Hodges University offers an online associates degree in criminal justice program from its Nichols School of Professional Studies. This 60-credit hour Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program consists of a liberal arts component as well as a criminal justice core component. The latter features courses such as Criminal Law and Procedure, Crime Theory, Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems, and Forensic Science. Students may also choose 12 credit hours of electives, but these elective courses must be approved. Full-time students can complete this online associates degree in criminal justice in less than two years.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 3
Tuition: $14,260
Maranatha Baptist University offers a faith-based online associates degree in criminal justice. The 64-credit hour program results in an associate of science in criminal justice degree and acts as a pathway to a baccalaureate degree in criminology. Key courses in the major include Courts, Law & Procedure; Nature of Crime; Policing & Criminal Investigation; and Institutional & Community Corrections. Students enrolled in this online associate’s in criminal justice program will also take support courses in communications and behavioral sciences in order to develop the soft skills necessary for a career in law enforcement or other area of criminal justice.
Online Associate of Criminal Justice
Points: 3
Tuition: $14,435
Santa Barbara Business College offers an online associates degree criminal justice program designed for students who wish to enter the field of law enforcement, corrections, or security as well as those who desire to continue their studies at a four-year college or university. Featured courses for the program include Criminal Procedures, Crime Scene Investigation, An Introduction to Security, and Criminology. Some of SBB College’s online associate’s in criminal justice students complete an externship in criminal justice in order to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Bryant & Stratton College’s online associate’s in criminal justice is a broad program meant for students interested in finding criminal justice jobs at the local, state, and federal levels. One unique aspect of this program is the emphasis it places on the technology being used in the industry. The curriculum is consistently updated to make sure that students receive the highest quality and most relevant education possible. Most students who graduate from Bryant & Stratton with an online associates degree in criminal justice go on to find jobs as correctional officers, patrol officers, or even sheriffs.
Tuition: $14,054
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Tuition: $15,764
Bethel University offers a comprehensive online associates degree in criminal justice resulting in an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. The program is designed specifically for students who wish to secure gainful employment in the area of criminal justice right after graduation. The curriculum is mostly prescribed and includes course titles such as Introduction to Police Crime Control Strategies, Foundation of Corrections, Overview of Criminal Procedure, and Drugs in Society. It is important to note that Bethel University is a faith-based school, and students enrolled in this online associate’s in criminal justice program will be required to take Introduction to the New Testament.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Tuition: $16,438
Regent University’s online associates degree in criminal justice offering is an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice. Because the university is a faith-based school, students will take some religious studies courses such as Introduction to Christian History and Thought, The Making of a Christian Leader, and New Testament Studies. The remainder of the curriculum consists of general education courses as well as major-specific classes like Criminal Investigation, Criminal Law, Theories of Criminal Justice, and Criminology. Upon graduation from this online associates degree in criminal justice program, students can transition to Regent’s bachelor of science in criminal justice or similar program, or apply for entry-level positions as police officers, probation officers, legal assistants, and more.
Online Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Tuition: $16,510
Post University offers an online associates degree criminal justice program that is also offered on campus. The curriculum for the program consists of 24 credit hours of general education courses, six credit hours in liberal arts studies, six credit hours in math and science, three credit hours in leadership, and 30 credit hour of major courses and electives. Required criminal justice classes include Introduction to Security, Introduction to Corrections (or Law Enforcement), and Criminal Law. Internships are encouraged but not required for this online associate’s in criminal justice degree program.
Online Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Tuition: $21,008
Keiser University offers both an on-campus and fully online associates degree in criminal justice. This 60-credit hour associate of arts degree is comprised of 36 credit hours of general education courses as well as 24 credit hours of criminal justice major courses such as Introduction to Law Enforcement, Introduction to Juvenile Procedures, Criminal Law, and Writing and Communications for Criminal Justice Professionals. Despite its distance learning format, this online associate’s in criminal justice degree program makes use of hands-on activities to teach criminal justice concepts.
Online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Points: 2
Tuition: $20,050
Lincoln College of New England offers an online associates degree in criminal justice degree program that focuses on practical application of the skills and content learned through coursework. The program requires a minimum of 62 credit hours and features a prescribed curriculum. Sample course titles include Introduction to Corrections, Criminal Procedures, Criminal Law, and Juvenile Justice. Students interested in further study after earning their online associates in criminal justice may consider the school’s bachelor of science in criminal justice offering, also available online.