Online and Campus-based
Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Our nation's criminal justice program has been established to protect its citizens. There are many career opportunities in criminal justice, a few of which include:

Criminal Justice Degrees Available

The following is a selection of top criminal justice and law enforcement programs. To learn more about a specific program select a category below.

Criminal Justice Career Training

Whatever your criminal justice career aspirations, you will more than likely be required to receive some post high school education. The following are one year criminal justice certification programs: national and terrorism security management, criminal justice, and crime scene technician.

If you are interested in working as a paralegal, court reporter, private security officer, and certain enforcement careers, often only a two year associate's degree is required. If you earn a four year bachelor's degree in a specific criminal justice specialty, you can work as a parole officer, social worker, or a correctional behavior expert. Those obtaining a master's degree in a criminal justice specialty can begin careers with the FBI and other police agencies or work as college professors. It usually requires two years of post graduate study to earn a master's degree.

The majority of schools offering criminal justice programs permit students to transfer earned credits to other programs. For example, students with an associate's degree can usually apply earned credits to finish a bachelor's degree. Students working full time or busy with other obligations can take advantage of online criminal justice programs.

Criminal Justice Earnings and Opportunities

Salaries for criminal justice related jobs usually depend on specialty and college degree level. In 2012, the BLS reported that the median salaries for the following professionals were as follows: officers working for police and sheriff departments, $55,000; police and detective supervisors, $72,620; detectives, $59,930. Until 2016, the BLS estimates job growth in criminal justice related careers to increase by 11 percent.

The BLS estimates job growth for correctional officers to rise 16 percent until 2016. In 2012, the median salary for correctional officers was close to $39,000, and the median salary for those supervising these officers neared $58,000. Median salaries for security guards during 2012 were about $23,600, and median salaries for probation officers were close to $47,500.