ExcelTrack® Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.
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Program at a Glance
- Control your pace, your deadlines, how many courses you take at a time, and which resources will help you learn best.
- Use the skills and knowledge you have mastered through your professional experience to advance at your own pace or to finish in less time than a typical course takes.
- Earn the same high-quality bachelor’s degree as a traditional Purdue Global online program—only faster and for less money.
- Take as many 1-credit courses as you want in a term and pay one flat tuition rate.
- Complete an optional concentration in crime scene investigation.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
You Control Your Pace
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Tuition Rate per Term
$2,500
ExcelTrack® Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Overview
Purdue Global’s ExcelTrack® bachelor’s degree in criminal justice offers you affordable, competency-based learning that puts you in control of your education. You can speed past what you already know and focus only on gaining new, relevant skills and knowledge.*
Designed for highly disciplined and self-motivated learners with strong professional criminal justice or law enforcement knowledge, ExcelTrack® is centered on real-world career experiences and builds on the skills and knowledge you’ve already mastered.
If you are interested in advancement within the field of criminal justice, furthering your current career in law enforcement or private security, and/or solidifying your knowledge with a bachelor’s degree, the ExcelTrack® Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice can help you pursue your goals and stay ahead of the competition.
Once enrolled in the online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you take a series of assessments to demonstrate what you already know and move past those topics. That way, you’ll focus on developing the skills that are immediately applicable to your industry. A criminal justice faculty member will work with you to ensure you’re on track to successfully complete each course.
Flexibility
Speed up or slow down as much as you want, based on your schedule and personal learning path. You are evaluated by how well you demonstrate competencies, not by how long it takes to learn them.
Focused Learning
Each ExcelTrack® course is a single credit, covering a particular skill or piece of knowledge. You advance based on what you already know and spend time only on what you need to learn.
Savings
Take as many 1-credit classes as you want every term for a flat rate of $2,500, excluding fees. Taking more credits per term lowers the average cost per credit.
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
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 University 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.
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.
Is ExcelTrack® Right for You?
- You are a self-motivated, driven student with strong time management skills.
- You have 3 years of experience working in a setting relevant to your program of study.
- You have successfully completed at least 3 courses at an accredited college or university.
If you decide to enroll, you must complete orientation before you start classes.
Ways to Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
Program Costs
$2,500.00 current cost per term
Request Information Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more 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.
See All ExcelTrack® CoursesSample Courses
- Criminal Procedure
- Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
- Computers, Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Systems
Program Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits94
- Elective Credits41
- Total Credits180
Career Opportunities
As the criminal justice 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.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot 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.
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.
View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
50%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
237
Faculty publications in 2020–2021
More Than 36,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2020–2021
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, September 2021. 2020–2021 academic year.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*ExcelTrack® is designed to advance your progress based on existing knowledge; however, degree pace and time and cost savings will vary by individual. Students must enroll in a minimum number of credits per term to remain eligible for financial aid. Refer to the Financial Information section of the University Catalog for additional information. Enrollees will pay a per-term resource fee and associated program fees. Program includes a traditional 6-credit capstone course; however, tuition is charged at the ExcelTrack® rate.
†Largest Providers of Public Safety Programs: Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2018–2019 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Criminology; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other Title IV institutions.
‡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.
§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.