ExcelTrack® Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.
Complete this form to receive the Purdue Global program guide.
ExcelTrack® Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Overview
Don’t just take classes — take charge. Earn a flexible ExcelTrack® bachelor’s degree and be ready to move your criminal justice career forward.
- Earn the same respected Purdue Global bachelor’s in criminal justice — only faster and more affordably.
- Apply the skills and knowledge you’ve mastered in your career to advance at your own pace or to finish in less time.
- Use your law enforcement POST certification to earn credit toward your degree.
Come Back With ExcelTrack®
Get the credit you deserve and put your experience to work with ExcelTrack®, a highly personalized learning pathway that puts you in control of how you learn.
- Take assessments to show what you know, then move quickly past those topics and focus on learning new skills you can use right away in your criminal justice career.
- Speed up or slow down as needed — you’re evaluated by how well you demonstrate competencies, not by how long it takes to learn them.
- Work directly with faculty to ensure you’ve learned all the material.
- Save on tuition — take as many one-credit courses as you want per term for a flat rate.
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.
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.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
What Courses Will I Take?
The ExcelTrack® criminal justice degree consists of 174 single-credit courses as well as a 6-credit capstone course.
Courses are based on the philosophy and development of the U.S. criminal justice system, applied research methods and techniques used in the field, the development of criminal law, and different types of criminal offenses.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Procedure
- Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
- Computers, Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Systems
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Your Prior Experience Can Help You Save Time and Money on Your Degree
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.
Maximize Your Military Career Experience
Earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Many occupations across each branch of the armed forces have been evaluated for credit toward a Purdue Global degree. Find out how many credits you’ve earned.
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.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe a time when you had to mediate a conflict between two individuals? What specific steps did you take to resolve the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a time when your attention to detail helped prevent a major error, or when you caught a mistake in a report or investigation. How did you handle the situation, and what was the result?
- Tell me about a time you successfully collaborated with individuals from different agencies, departments, or even different levels of government on a security-related project or incident. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Describe a time you had to analyze a large amount of complex or ambiguous information to identify a potential threat or security vulnerability. What was your process, and what did you conclude?
- Tell me about a time you took initiative to improve a process, system, or capability related to security or preparedness without being asked. What was the result?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Investigation
- Law Enforcement
- Rehabilitation
- Accountability
- Report Writing
- Information Gathering
- Detail Oriented
- Research
- Community Outreach
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Critical Thinking
- Criminological Theory
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.