Online Bachelor’s in Criminology & CJ Programs

The fields of criminology and criminal justice (CJ) appeal to those with an inquisitive nature who have a deep passion for understanding all aspects of crime. However, these fields are not identical, and actually hold a number of distinctions. To be clear, Alliant International University describes criminology as the scientific study of crime and criminals; in contrast, the field of criminal justice refers to the system of law enforcement, courts, and corrections, as described by Concordia University, St. Paul. Ultimately, these degrees help elucidate the social phenomenon of crime, as well as the structure of the criminal justice system throughout the country. Graduates of a criminal justice or criminology program may find careers in law enforcement, social work, corrections, research, and other areas.

Physical proximity to a campus that offers a criminal justice and criminology degree is no longer a prerequisite in order to obtain this type of education. Instead, an array of high-quality institutions offer online bachelor’s degree programs in this field, allowing those living in more remote locations or who have other responsibilities to still pursue an undergraduate education. Of course, completing an online degree program requires a great degree of self-motivation and the ability to work without constant supervision.

The following guide outlines eight exceptional programs throughout the country, as well as skilled professors who are currently leading classes in criminal justice or criminology.

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

Professors to Know in Schools with Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology

Gro Amdam, PhD – Arizona State University

Dr. Gro Amdam is a professor and researcher of biology at Arizona State University, where she teaches classes in animal physiology and oversees honor thesis, research, and study programs. She earned her MS and PhD at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences before moving to the U.S. to do postdoctoral work. Dr. Amdam is internationally recognized for her research on honey bees; her team investigates honey bee social structure to understand how social behavior evolved from ancestral solitary forms of life. Her work has appeared on the cover of over a dozen academic journals, and she’s published over 130 articles. Dr. Amdam maintains a lab at the University of Life Sciences in Norway, and promotes student exchange between the two countries.

Edward L. Braun, PhD – University of Florida

Dr. Edward Braun is a professor of biology at the University of Florida, where he teaches classes in genomics and genetics, and is also a faculty member of the UF Genetics Institute. He received his PhD in biology from New Mexico University in 2001. A prolific publisher, Dr. Braun’s work has been cited over 5,000 times in the last five years. His current research explores the use of computational and mathematical approaches to understand evolution at various levels, from genes to whole organisms. Dr. Braun also participates in the Early Bird project, a large-scale, cooperative effort among five U.S. institutions to determine the evolutionary relationships among all major groups of birds.

Patricia Kennedy, PhD – Oregon State University

Dr. Patricia Kennedy is a professor of wildlife ecology at Oregon State University, where she teaches a class in the principles of fish and wildlife conservation. She received her MS in zoology from the University of Idaho in 1980, and her PhD in biology and ecology from Utah State University in 1991. Dr. Kennedy’s primary research interests involve the ecology and management of birds in managed landscapes, where she tries to understand the factors that influence avian populations and community composition. She’s contributed to numerous books, reports, presentations, and academic papers.

Farheen Gani

Writer

Farheen Gani writes about forensics schools across the United States, and has covered topics such as forensic chemistry and forensic science and biochemistry since 2018. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).