Top 25 Online Associate in Criminal Justice Programs for 2019

Students looking for entry-level positions in the criminal justice profession should consider Keiser University’s associate of arts in criminal justice. The program has no prerequisites for major courses, meaning students can immediately begin their studies of criminal law, juvenile justice procedures, and corrections. This 60 credit online associate degree in criminal justice requires 24 credits in major courses, and the remaining 36 credits earned through general education courses. Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and credits from other accredited institutions are accepted at the discretion of the Dean of Academic Affairs. However, at least 25% of the degree must be completed at Keiser University.

Saint Leo University has a rich history of serving military members — in fact, one-third of its student population are members of the U.S. armed forces community. The associate of arts in criminal justice is a foundational program designed for current and aspiring criminal justice professionals. This online associate degree in criminal justice is rooted in the Catholic faith, and offers general education courses on religion and philosophy, while promoting themes of morality throughout its coursework on laws, investigatory procedures, and criminal justice ethics. The degree requires 60 credits in total, and Saint Leo University holds an articulation agreement with nearly 40 community colleges around the country to facilitate a smoother transfer of credits.

Southern New Hampshire University’s associate degree in criminal justice prepares graduates to enter the growing criminal justice field. Completing this associate degree in criminal justice online opens doors to entry-level positions in court administration, business security, and victim advocacy. It also builds a foundation for further education by covering theoretical topics like crime causation, ethical policing strategies, the history of public safety, and the policing profession. Classes are completed at a student’s convenience, with online courses offered during six different eight-week terms per year. Southern New Hampshire University also accepts up to 45 transfer credits toward the 60 required for completion of an associate degree.

Based in Kansas City, MO, and with programs delivered at 40 additional campuses across the country, Park University offers online coursework in criminal justice. The associate of science in criminal justice administration blends Park University’s traditional liberal arts education with a career-oriented curriculum. In addition to general education courses, students in the program select one of three concentration areas: law enforcement, corrections, or security. The degree requires a minimum of 60 earned credits, with at least a 2.0 GPA in those courses. Students must complete 15 of these credits in residence — at Park University or a satellite campus — in order to earn the associate degree in criminal justice.

Through its Office of Professional and Continuing Education, Chaminade University of Honolulu offers an associate of science in criminology and criminal justice that is completed entirely online. The 60 credit program explores the foundations of the American criminal justice system, the relationship between socioeconomic factors and crime, foundational techniques of investigation, and the laws of evidence. Up to 45 credits can be transferred from another institution or earned through professional experience. A minimum of 15 credits of the online associate degree in criminal justice — and nine hours of the major-specific coursework — must be completed at Chaminade University, and students must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Clarion University’s associate of science in criminal justice can be completed on-campus in northwestern Pennsylvania, or entirely through Clarion Online. The online associate degree requires a minimum of 60 credits, with 33 credits required in criminal justice studies. Six of those courses — such as psychology of personal growth and sociology of deviant behavior — are electives, giving students significant freedom to design their own learning experience. Credits from other regionally accredited two and four-year institutions (with grades of C or better) are accepted, and prior experience such as military service can also replace some credits. However, students must complete at least 50% of their courses at Clarion University to earn a degree.

Campbell University offers more online degree programs than any other private school in North Carolina. Its associate of arts in criminal justice can be completed through eight-week accelerated terms, giving students the flexibility to tailor their schedule to their professional and personal responsibilities. Campbell University requires students to complete 62 credits of coursework: 36 credits in general education, 21 in the criminal justice concentration, and five via electives. Credit toward the online associate degree in criminal justice can be transferred from a variety of sources, including military service and accredited institutions. However, students must complete at least 15.5 credit hours at Campbell University to graduate. Additionally, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to earn the degree.

Franklin Pierce University’s associate degree in criminal justice is ideal for experienced professionals, as up to 45 credits of the required 60 can be earned through previous law enforcement experience and professional certifications and licenses. Students benefit from small class sizes, and learn from professors who are experts in their fields. In addition to general education courses and foundational criminal justice course requirements, students can further personalize their learning by pursuing an electives, including courses on rehabilitation, white collar crime, and social science research methods. Applicants to the program must have completed high school or earned a GED, but there are no minimum GPA or test score requirements for admission.

At Drury University’s College of Continuing Professional Studies, students can earn an associate of science in criminal justice degree completely online. Courses are completed asynchronously via the Moodle platform, and Drury University provides a number of academic services and resources to support online learners throughout their studies. A total of 62 credits are required, with 26 credits dedicated to understanding the causes of crime, as well as the institutions that both attempt to prevent and respond to crime. A maximum of 31 credits can be transferred from another institution (with a minimum grade of “C” or better) or awarded based on experience.

For students residing in Georgia, Thomas University’s associate degree in law enforcement is a terrific local option that still allows for flexibility of online study. Although the online associate degree is not available to students in all states, those who qualify join a program that quickly prepares graduates for careers as police or corrections officers. The degree requires 61 total credits, but up to 40 hours can be earned through prior experience as a law enforcement professional. In this case, students then earn an additional 21 credits through seven required general education courses. To be admitted, prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED, and a minimum GPA of 2.0.

St. John’s University’s associate of science in criminal justice is an ideal option for students who work, or hope to work, for the New York City Police Department. The online associate in criminal justice degree requires 60 credits, but graduates of the New York City Police Academy may be awarded up to 24 credits for field training. Students can also transfer credits from other institutions, but a minimum of 30 credits must be earned at St. John’s University. There are no strict admission requirements; rather, admission is based on a holistic mix of factors, such as recommendations and applicant interest and potential. However, students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to graduate.

Vance-Granville Community College offers students the chance to continue their learning either in person at their North Carolina campus, or online via the Vanguard Online Learning through Technology (VOLT) platform. The associate in applied science in criminal justice technology is one of five, two-year programs the school offers. The curriculum focuses on topics such as criminal justice systems, juvenile justice, and community relations, but also allows students to explore subjects including counseling and technology. Students will spend 66 credit hours (or roughly two years) earning an online associate degree in criminal justice, preparing them for a broad spectrum of careers as police officers, park rangers, and court clerks. Credits can be transferred but cannot exceed 75% of the hours required for the desired degree.

Stanly Community College’s associate in applied science in criminal justice technology is a two-year, online program designed to fit the busy lives of nontraditional students. The degree requires 65 total credits, and includes coursework in criminology, substance abuse, and terrorism. The program takes approximately two years to complete if taken full-time. Although Stanly Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has partnerships with a number of universities in North Carolina, this online associate degree in criminal justice may not be fully transferrable to other institutions. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, and must also complete a placement test.

Shorter University is a private liberal arts school in the Georgia Baptist denomination, and its associate of science with a concentration in criminal justice is a flexible online degree designed for students to set their own pace. Coursework is completed in an asynchronous format, with six, eight-week terms to choose from each year — two in the spring, two in the fall, and two in the summer. While students can complete this online associate degree in criminal justice on their own schedule, 60 credits are required to graduate, along with a cumulative GPA of 2.0. In addition to general education and concentration-specific courses, students take two classes that survey the New and Old Testaments.

Mansfield University offers an associate of science in criminal justice administration entirely online. Beyond the six courses required by the program, students tailor the degree to their personal and professional goals by selecting from a diverse set of elective courses. Among the coursework in this associate degree in criminal justice online is organized crime, the media, and serial murder. Furthermore, Mansfield University is transfer-friendly institution; they hold a network of transfer agreements with schools across Pennsylvania and New York, and an unofficial transfer evaluation is available to students before they apply. A formal evaluation of transcripts and transferrable credits takes place after a student is admitted.

Ogeechee Technical College’s associate of applied science in criminal justice technology combines theory and real-world experience to prepare students for a host of jobs in corrections, security, investigation, and police administration (though the degree does not automatically provide certification as a police officer in Georgia). Courses are offered online, in-person, and in a hybrid format—allowing students some face-to-face interaction with the instructor, but maintaining the flexibility of distance learning. Students must take a minimum of 60 credit hours to earn the online associate degree in criminal justice, and the program typically requires five semesters to complete. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or GED, as well as minimum scores on standardized tests (e.g. 890 total score on the SAT).

The University of Maine at Fort Kent offers several academic programs on its campus near the Canadian border, and the school’s associate of arts in criminal justice degree program can be completed entirely online. With 60 credits required for graduation, this online associate degree in criminal justice takes about two years to complete. Transfer credits may considerably shorten the time needed to complete this degree. Credits earned from regionally accredited schools — and in which the student has maintained a grade of at least a “C-” — are usually accepted by the school. To be admitted, students typically need a minimum 2.0 GPA in high school and earned either a diploma or GED, though some exceptions are made.

Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) offers an associate of arts in criminal justice and an associate of applied sciences in law enforcement to prepare criminal justice professionals. The associate of arts is designed for students who plan to continue their education at another college or university, whereas the associate of applied sciences helps students transition immediately to a workplace environment upon graduation. Both programs require approximately 65 credits in total, and WWCC recommends completing the degrees over the course of four semesters. It is important to note that WWCC’s courses are not self-directed — online students follow the same schedule, have the same deadlines, and must interact with the class at the same pace as in-person students.

With concentrations available in law enforcement or corrections, Northeast Community College (NCC) offers a fully online associate of arts in criminal justice. The 60 credit liberal arts curriculum features 37 general education credits in fine arts, history, and mathematics. The final 23 credits are fulfilled in the concentration, with courses such as criminal law and criminology, among others. Students who take 15 credits per quarter can expect to complete their degree in approximately two years. Northeast also offers several academic support services to foster classroom success, such as a disability resource center and a tutoring and writer’s clinic. Students may transfer previous coursework with a “C” or better, and courses completed at NCC can easily transfer to other institutions within the state of Nebraska.