Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
34
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
4 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Overview

Come back stronger, ready to launch or advance your career in law enforcement or private security. Earn your criminal justice degree online.

Gain the Skills That Employers — and Communities — Need

  • Get both professional skills training plus a strong foundation in the U.S. criminal justice system.
  • Learn applied research methods and techniques used in the field.
  • Understand the development of criminal law and different types of criminal offenses.
  • Learn about national law enforcement reform initiatives.
  • Explore diversity and inclusivity to understand and address the needs of your community.
View Program Detail Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Military Transfer Credit

Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster. With our PME2Degree® program, you can turn your military and occupational training into college credit. How many credits have you earned?

Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.

As one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated criminal justice professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements
donut chart with 91% in the center

Purdue Global Career Outcomes 2020–2021

91% of graduates in Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program were employed or continued their education within 18 months of graduation.

Each year, our Center for Career Advancement sends a NACE First Destination survey to our graduating class to learn more about their career choices and potential income within 18 months of graduation. We’re proud of our recent Purdue Global alumni accomplishments.

“Career Outcomes Rate” is not the same as an “employment rate” — it includes graduates who are: (1) employed (whether full or part time); (2) participating in a program of voluntary service, (3) serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or (4) enrolled in a program of continuing education. This rate may also include graduates employed in jobs unrelated to their degree or who were employed while attending Purdue Global. (9,106 graduates surveyed across associate's, bachelor's, master's, JD, EJD, and DNP programs from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. 7,803 of 9,106 replied.)

What Courses Will I Take?

In your first course, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.

You will also complete a capstone project and apply the concepts studied online to real-world criminal justice scenarios.

Sample Courses

  • Criminal Procedure
  • Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
  • Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
  • Computers, Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Systems
  • Diversity and Inclusivity in Public Safety
See All Criminal Justice Courses

Program Requirements

45
Core Credits
94
Major Credits
41
Elective Credits
180
Total Credits

Concentration Requirements

45
Core Credits
94
Major Credits
21
Elective Credits
20
Concentration Credits
180
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Degree Concentrations

Choose from seven criminal justice concentrations to customize your degree:

  • Business foundations

    Gain competencies in the fundamental concepts of business administration. Develop an understanding of the four functions of management, the components of a marketing strategy, and the financial performance of an organization.

  • Crime scene investigation

    Focus on techniques for locating, collecting, and analyzing crime scene evidence.

  • Forensic psychology

    Study psychology within the context of the criminal justice system.

  • Homeland security

    Examine the origins of terrorism, response methods to weapons of mass destruction and other disaster incidents, crisis negotiation, and conflict resolution.

  • Juvenile justice

    Explore the unique needs of youth in today's justice system.

  • Law enforcement

    Focus on landmark Supreme Court cases and how the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights apply in criminal law.

  • Socially responsible leadership

    Understand, evaluate, and reflect on leadership, as well as develop your own leadership skills, and explore correctional alternatives, methods and techniques in program evaluation, and crisis intervention.

Reach Your Career Goals Sooner

Use Your Law Enforcement Certification to Earn Credit

If you are a certified law enforcement officer who has completed the national Peace Officer Standard Training (POST), your accomplishments may qualify you to receive 25 credits toward your bachelor’s degree.

Accelerate Your Career With ExcelTrack®

Forget what you know about earning a degree. ExcelTrack® is personalized learning that gives you more control over your education, getting you to the same degree faster and for less money.

View ExcelTrack® Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Accelerated Master's Degree Options

Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. While you earn your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in one of the following areas:

  • Applied behavior analysis
  • Criminal justice
  • Education
  • Educational psychology
  • Higher education
  • Homeland security and emergency management
  • Human services
  • Instructional design and technology
  • Legal studies
  • Psychology
  • Public administration

For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience

The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2 years to complete their degree.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

Get Started

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, criminal justice careers are projected to grow through 2031; however, as the field becomes more competitive, employers may increasingly look for educated, qualified individuals. For police and detective positions, applicants with a bachelor’s degree and law enforcement experience are expected to have the best opportunities.

With a criminal justice degree, you may qualify for employment or advancement opportunities related to cybercrime, counterterrorism, crime scene investigation, detention, fraud investigation, homeland security, juvenile justice and detention, law enforcement, parole and probation, prisons, private investigations, and public safety.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Local, state, and federal law enforcement jobs may require additional training or education including additional state-approved higher education beyond the Purdue Global degree. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Graduates of Purdue Global criminal justice programs are not eligible to attend police academies in Minnesota.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Our Commitment

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

View Brochure

Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Keep communities safe and help combat crime. Learn how a career in criminal justice could help you reach your highest potential.

What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?

Expand your career opportunities in the criminal justice field. Learn how continued education could set you up for success down the line.

Criminal Justice Careers: Corrections vs. Law Enforcement

Learn common careers within the criminal justice field, the role they play in communities, and education requirements for each job prospect.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Bachelor's Completion Time and Average Net Price: The average completion time for Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in the 2022–2023 academic year was 2.3 years. Average net price reflects charges for all graduates, including those who transferred to Purdue Global, after application of scholarships, tuition reductions, grants (including federal Pell grants for undergraduate students), employer tuition assistance, and/or military tuition assistance. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023.

Credit for Law Enforcement Certification: Students must currently be a certified law enforcement officer or a federal agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, etc.), or must have been certified in either of these roles within 24 months of their enrollment date. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Credit Toward Master’s Degree: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about admissions requirements and transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Criminal Justice Job Growth: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Protective Service Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/home.htm, and Police and Detectives, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Internship: The student is responsible for identifying and obtaining approval for an appropriate internship in his or her location.

Largest Providers of Public Safety Programs: Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021–2022 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services, https://nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other degree-granting institutions.