Online Bachelor’s in Criminology & CJ Programs

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Criminal Justice & Criminology

Unless otherwise noted, all of the following programs take approximately four years to complete, contingent on a student’s academic background, enrollment status (part- or full-time), and college credits completed.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester offers an online bachelor of science degree in criminal justice (BSCJ) with a specific concentration in criminology. This 120-credit-hour program includes courses in judicial administration, international criminal justice, psychology, and sociology, as well as general education requirements and other free electives.

Students in this program have 24/7 access to their classes, and are able to complete their undergraduate degree in a flexible manner over six eight-week terms per year. Graduates from this program also have access to career services and networking opportunities with the more than 75,000 alumni nationwide.

• Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
• Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $38,400

Portland State University

At Portland State University, students have the opportunity to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, which is an interdisciplinary social science devoted to the study of the crime causation and crime control along with the operations of the legal system. This 180-credit-hour program requires students to complete 68 hours in the field of criminology and criminal justice in areas such as policing in America, punishment and corrections, and theories of crime, among others. In addition, of the 180 credits, 72 must be upper-division.

Although the program can largely be completed online, it does include an agency placement in the student’s home community; for those who are unable to participate in this placement, a fully online professional development alternative course is available.

• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $46,620

University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska offers a fully online bachelor of multidisciplinary studies in criminology and criminal justice that has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in online education. This program is only available to students 21 and older, and is a degree completion program for students who already possess some college credit.

The online degree combines classes offered at the Omaha, Lincoln, and Kearney campuses, ensuring students have access to high-quality education; however, in general, students are able to log in and complete coursework at any time throughout the day. Notably, online students have access to the same student services that are offered to their on-campus counterparts, which includes library and career services, among others.

• Location: Omaha, Nebraska
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $47,400 (for out-of-state students)

Arizona State University

At Arizona State University, students have the chance to complete an online bachelor of science in criminology and criminal justice that was ranked among the most innovative in 2018 by U.S. News & World Report. This 120-credit-hour program consists of 40 classes on subjects such as domestic violence, gangs, and white collar crime. Each term lasts 7.5 weeks. This program can be completed entirely online and includes a one-week online orientation at the beginning to help students make the transition into an online program. Upon graduation, students may also choose to join the ASU Alumni Association, which has chapters around the U.S. and the globe to help students leverage the network of alumni during their careers.

• Location: Tempe, Arizona
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $52,128

Adams State University

Adams State University offers an online bachelor of arts in sociology with an emphasis in criminology. This 120-credit-hour program includes 34 credit-hours of core sociology courses, six credits of sociology electives, 12 credits of criminology emphasis, and a variety of other general education and elective requirements. This program can be completed entirely online, and distance students will still have the same access to the high-quality coursework and lectures offered to their on-campus counterparts.

• Location: Alamosa, Colorado
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $99,360 (for out-of-state, off-campus students)

Drexel University

Aspiring online students may wish to consider a program through Drexel University, which offers an online bachelor of science in criminology and justice studies. This program consists of between 182 and 184 credit-hours, and can be completed entirely online, without the student ever being required to visit the campus.

The program covers classes from a range of disciplines, including sociology and philosophy, legal studies, psychology, information science, political science, bioscience, chemistry, and computer science, among others. It’s important to note that the program is only available on a part-time basis, which allows students to continue to work while pursuing an undergraduate degree.

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $89,976 for 184 credits

Washington State University

The Washington State University Global Campus offers an online undergraduate degree in criminal justice. Students in this program take courses on the administration of criminal justice, criminological theory, crime control policies, criminal law, and criminal procedures, as well as other general education requirements and electives. Students in online programs at Washington State University also have 24/7 access to tech support, as well as an academic advisor to help them meet their goals from start to finish. In addition, the program hosts parties and one-credit seminars, during which students have the opportunity to meet their peers.

• Location: Pullman, Washington
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Estimated Tuition (Total): $5,667.50 per semester (for out-of-state students)

Southern Illinois University

At Southern Illinois University, students can complete an online bachelor of arts in criminology and criminal justice at a major research university and with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members. This 120-credit-hour program is delivered entirely online, and includes courses covering the criminal justice system, criminological theory, criminal law, criminal justice research, and criminal justice statistics. Of course, students must also complete a number of other general electives, liberal arts requirements, and university core curriculum requirements, as well. Students in this program also receive support from the Morris Library at the university, and can obtain their course materials from the Southern Illinois University bookstore.

• Location: Carbondale, IL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Estimated Tuition: Approximately $46,880.40