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Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Rising college tuitions and housing costs are driving more students toward online college programs. In fact, some of the most popular degree choices today are online criminal justice degrees.
 
Interest in criminal justice careers surged with popular television shows like CSI, Cold Case and Law and Order. With salaries topping $80,000 with an advanced degree, the field is rewarding and offers a reasonable income. Jobs range from social work to police work.

Choosing an Online Program

Choosing a criminal justice degree online program can be difficult with thousands of programs to choose from. When selecting a school, visit the U.S. Department of Education Web site to make sure the distance-learning program is accredited. Failing to verify this information can be costly, as you may end up with a degree that is not accepted by potential employers.

Pros and Cons of Getting an Online Degree

Online college programs do require dedication. Logging in to complete daily class assignments and tests from the comfort of your own home is challenging, so setting a strict schedule is important.
 
Another issue is the weekly class meeting requirements. To attend a distance-learning program, computer time is required. Weekly chats with fellow students and your professor are often part of criminal justice degree programs. Should you fail to attend these chats, your grades will suffer. It is critical to have a computer that can handle the online program and an Internet connection that offers quick loading times. High-speed Internet is often advised.
 
Criminal justice degrees online usually require at least one year of college. In comparison, traditional university programs take four years to complete. While getting a degree online is much faster and can give you flexibility, salary scales are dependent on the degree you hold. A four-year Bachelor's degree usually offers higher starting wages than an online degree.

Criminal Justice Degree Requirements

When you enroll in college programs for criminal justice degrees, it is generally required that you complete 120 credits. Thirty of the credits are in specific courses related to the field of criminology, 21 are general requirements and the remaining are your electives. Many colleges require you to keep a C average or better in order to graduate. Courses that most colleges require include:
  • American Government
  • Biology
  • Criminal Justice Introduction
  • Criminology
  • Ethics
  • Expository and Research Writing
  • Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning
  • Psychology
  • Statistics.
During your final year of college, you are often set up with an internship at a local police department or government agency.

College Suggestions

The U.S News and World Report offers an extensive list of colleges and college ratings at their Web site. They do not focus their attention on online college programs, but you can compare colleges and see how former students rated the college.
 
World Wide Learning also offers an extensive list of accredited online programs through their Web site. You can quickly find colleges in your area, as well as other areas of the United States.
 
Here are some examples of colleges that offer Criminal Justice degrees:
  • Columbia Southern University: This accredited college offers Bachelor and Master degrees in Criminal Justice Administration.

  • Indiana State University: Indiana State has two online Master degree programs—Master of Arts in Criminology and Master of Science in Criminology.

  • Michigan State University: Michigan State University's International Focus in Criminal Justice is a popular choice with today's students. Since 9/11, the college's international criminal justice courses fill up rather quickly.

  • Northwestern State University: If you want to attend college for two years, Northwestern State University has one of the most highly rated Associate's degree programs around.
Earning a criminal justice degree online is a suitable choice for students who simply cannot afford room and board at their dream college. It's also perfect for a busy parent who wants to further his education and improve his career.
 
Do you have a program in mind?

Research different schools that offer any of the below programs with the links below.

Associate's Programs
Bachelor's Programs
Master's Programs
Doctoral
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