Best Online Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Programs 2024
An accelerated criminal justice degree can save you time and money while also preparing you for a fulfilling career in public safety.
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Accelerated criminal justice degrees provide the same quality education as on-campus programs — but they can save you time and even money. Additionally, an accelerated degree can help you break into the workforce more quickly.
So how do you find the best accelerated criminal justice degree? We’ve done some of that work for you. Our rankings below use data from the National Center for Education Statistics to help you identify the best online accelerated bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice.
Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fastest Criminal Justice Degree Online Programs 2024
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,742
$17,622
38%
64%
$7,176
$16,680
90%
36,484
Public
Yes
$5,742
$17,622
San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,742
$17,622
38%
64%
$7,176
$16,680
90%
36,484
Public
Yes
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,078
$33,004
85%
38%
$14,590
$26,370
82%
17,597
Public
Yes
$15,078
$33,004
Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,078
$33,004
85%
38%
$14,590
$26,370
82%
17,597
Public
Yes
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$8,356
$30,857
86%
32%
$10,740
$18,390
86%
3,693
Public
Yes
$8,356
$30,857
Charleston, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$8,356
$30,857
86%
32%
$10,740
$18,390
86%
3,693
Public
Yes
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK4 yearCampus + Online
$4,920
$20,724
85%
57%
$8,034
$23,096
89%
28,042
Public
Yes
$4,920
$20,724
Norman, OK4 yearCampus + Online
$4,920
$20,724
85%
57%
$8,034
$23,096
89%
28,042
Public
Yes
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,780
$18,480
86%
54%
$9,296
$19,928
81%
9,217
Public
Yes
$7,780
$18,480
Cedar Falls, IA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,780
$18,480
86%
54%
$9,296
$19,928
81%
9,217
Public
Yes
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,400
$25,084
92%
54%
$23,189
$39,248
87%
88,914
Public
Yes
$15,400
$25,084
University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,400
$25,084
92%
54%
$23,189
$39,248
87%
88,914
Public
Yes
Mercer University
Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$29,024
$29,024
75%
34%
$15,244
$15,244
86%
9,009
Private
Yes
$29,024
$29,024
Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$29,024
$29,024
75%
34%
$15,244
$15,244
86%
9,009
Private
Yes
SUNY College at Oswego
Oswego, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$16,980
80%
55%
$11,310
$23,100
75%
7,058
Public
Yes
$7,070
$16,980
Oswego, NY4 yearCampus + Online
$7,070
$16,980
80%
55%
$11,310
$23,100
75%
7,058
Public
Yes
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT4 yearCampus + Online
$44,960
$44,960
66%
42%
$34,509
$34,509
86%
9,785
Private
Yes
$44,960
$44,960
Fairfield, CT4 yearCampus + Online
$44,960
$44,960
66%
42%
$34,509
$34,509
86%
9,785
Private
Yes
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$39,500
$39,500
78%
45%
$21,120
$21,120
81%
3,101
Private
Yes
$39,500
$39,500
Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$39,500
$39,500
78%
45%
$21,120
$21,120
81%
3,101
Private
Yes
How Fast Is an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree? Program Length
Pursuing an accelerated criminal justice degree online generally means studying for roughly 2-3 years instead of the typical four years.
In an accelerated degree program, you’ll still complete the standard 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree — just on a tighter schedule. Usually, this means coursework is condensed into seven- or eight-week sessions. Additionally, you’ll probably need to take classes over the summer. Your exact course load will depend on your school and your schedule.
Some accelerated programs may be offered as degree-completion programs. This means you can earn your criminal justice degree in a shorter time frame — sometimes in as little as one year! — by transferring credits from previous college coursework.
To earn an accelerated criminal justice degree in two years, you must meet transfer credit requirements and take approximately 4-5 classes during each accelerated term.
Common Courses for an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree
Coursework in an accelerated criminal justice degree program prepares you for careers in the public and private sectors, including law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and private security.
Here are common classes you can expect to take in a fast criminal justice degree program:
- Criminology: This introductory course covers the principles of sociology, theories of criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. The class surveys the basic areas of study and provides a solid foundation for upper-level coursework.
- Cybercrime: This class provides a deeper look into crime theories, specific laws regarding technology, and investigative techniques. With the FBI reporting more than $4 billion lost in the U.S. alone in 2020 to cybercrimes, this course prepares you to work in the modern era.
- Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice: This course discusses ethical issues and how the Constitution works concerning personal rights, civil liberties, and institutional policies. You’ll learn how to perform your job ethically while upholding the tenets of the law.
- Forensic Science: An introductory course to crime scene investigation, evidence gathering, and preservation, this class typically features a combination of lectures and labs. You’ll study techniques in crime scene preservation and develop an understanding of crime lab operations.
Explore Top Online Criminal Justice Programs
Careers You Can Pursue with an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree.
Although the job outlook for many criminal justice careers is average or below average, you can benefit from steady job security and reliable pay, with opportunities for professional advancement.
Criminal justice students can consider many career paths. Graduates often choose jobs focused on upholding the law. Police officers and detectives, for example, earn a median annual salary of $72,280.
Other graduates of accelerated criminal justice degree programs may work within the judicial system as paralegals and legal assistants — these professionals earn a median salary of $60,970.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Projected Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Detectives | $72,280 | 4% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $71,540 | 6% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,800 | 4% |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,970 | 1% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,100 | 4% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,300 | -6% |
| Bailiffs | $53,040 | -1% |
Want More Options? Check Out These Corrections Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Programs
If you’re passionate about law enforcement and crime prevention, you may find pursuing a criminal justice degree worthwhile. The degree can help you establish a successful career in fields such as law enforcement, private security, the judicial system, advocacy, and counseling.
A criminal justice degree also opens doors for career advancement, where consideration for promotions often requires a degree and field certifications.
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