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.

ExcelTrack® Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice

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10-Week Terms
Course Length
$2,500
Tuition Rate per Term
You Control Your Pace
Course Effort

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.
  • Complete an optional concentration in crime scene investigation to gain real-world experience.

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.

Learn More About ExcelTrack®

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

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.

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

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
See All ExcelTrack® Courses

Program Requirements

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

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.

Estimate Your Military Credit

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.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

ExcelTrack®: 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), 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.