Criminal Justice

Bachelor's Degree 2 months per semester

Online criminal justice degree

If you're looking for a career that allows you to make a difference in your community, our Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree can help you prepare to take the first steps toward working in legal and law enforcement roles. Through flexible online classes, you can study fundamental legal concepts on your schedule, from home. 

  • Our online criminal justice degree can help students to prepare for criminal justice jobs like a police officer, probation officer, and more.
  • College-level classes cover essential topics in criminal justice like the court system, criminal law and evidence, police operations, the correctional system, and victimology.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $600 Ends 7/15/2025

First Semester

$1,349

$1,949 Save $600

or

$75/month, Start for as low as $20

Request Info Enroll Now

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

See full program cost & payment options
male criminal justice professional in front of courthouse.

What You Will Learn

  1. How to apply the procedures used to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information in a legal environment.
  2. How to evaluate the relationship between victims and the criminal justice system and provide details of the interaction of victims with the police, prosecutors, court, and defense attorneys.
  3. How to analyze the different types of evidence, such as crime scene evidence, documentary evidence, witness testimony, and scientific evidence. You'll also learn about the admissibility requirements for the various forms of evidence as well as the attendant ethical and legal issues presented.
  4. How to understand the role of policing and its history in the United States, including the origins and development of the law of search and seizure on the federal and state levels, the ethical and legal issues surrounding the exclusionary rule as it impacts the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and the workings of an adversarial system of justice.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Criminal Justice B.S. Career Outcomes

Probation Officer

AVG SALARY*

$61,800/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

90,700


Our online Criminal Justice Degree offers the foundational concepts used on a daily basis in law enforcement including criminal law, psychology, police operations and more. As a graduate, you will be qualified for many criminal justice career options such as a correctional officer, probation officer, fish and game warden, or detective.

Woman reading through paperwork in office.

How to Prepare for a Criminal Justice Career

Online Criminal Justice Degree Curriculum

  • 8 Semesters
  • 121 Credits


Estimated completion time per semester:

  • Fast track = 2 months
  • Average time = 5 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times per semester are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2020 - October 2021, excluding withdrawals.

In the online criminal justice degree curriculum, you'll learn the foundational legal skills and knowledge to prepare for an entry-level career in law enforcement. Your courses include:


  • Criminal Procedures
  • Victimology
  • Criminology
  • Administration of Justice

Show Full Curriculum

Criminal Justice Degree Success Stories

Penn Foster’s online Criminal Justice Degree can help prepare you for the first step in your legal and law enforcement career. This program has helped recent graduates find new jobs or start their own businesses while learning at their own pace. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Patrick D.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“I felt like my education was well structured and put at a pace I could handle, mine. I highly recommend this program to anyone.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
  • employbridge logo.
  • chicago cred logo.
  • guild logo.
  • adecco logo.
Learn More

Online Criminal Justice Degree Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today! 

Option 1: Pay semester in full

Save up to $600 Ends 7/15/2025

First Semester1

$1,349

$1,949 Save $600

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Save up to $100 Ends 7/15/2025

First Semester1

$1,849

$1,949 Save $100

  • Pay $75 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

First semester1

$1,949

  • Pay $75 per month
  • Start for $39 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Criminal Justice Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start anytime 
  • No exam due dates 
  • Self-paced 

Interactive

  • Digital study guides 
  • Self-check quizzes 
  • Webinars and discussion boards

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources
  • Learning Resource Center
  • Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty 
  • Dedicated student services 
  • Robust learning resources 

Related Programs

female criminal justice professional in front of courthouse.
Criminal Justice
Associate Degree

Prepare for a job in criminal justice or law enforcement with our online Criminal Justice Associate Degree.

4 months per semester As low as $75/mo
paralegal with folder standing in office.
Paralegal Studies
Associate Degree

Prepare for entry level paralegal jobs with our online Paralegal Studies Associate Degree. You'll learn about law, legal research, and more!

4 months per semester As low as $69/mo
male criminal justice professional in front of courthouse.
Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree

Learn about criminology, victimology, and law enforcement in our online Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree.

2 months per semester As low as $75/mo

Criminal Justice B.S. Program FAQs

How many years does it take to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice?

A bachelor's degree consists of eight semesters of classwork. In a traditional college or university, it can often take students four to five years to complete their degree. In Penn Foster's online Criminal Justice Program, you can study at your own pace and start each semester when you're ready instead of waiting for a new term to begin.

What can you do with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice?

With an accredited criminal justice degree, you can qualify for a variety of job opportunities in the legal and law enforcement field. From becoming a police officer or probation officer to potentially qualifying for federal-level law enforcement jobs, a bachelor's degree can help you prepare to reach your career goals.  

How do I start a career in criminal justice?

In order to start a career in criminal justice, you'll need training and education. Depending on the job you want to do, you may not need to earn a college degree. Roles like entry-level police officer or corrections offer generally require an associate degree. For those who want to move up in law enforcement, earning a criminal justice bachelor's degree can help you meet the requirements for higher-level jobs in state and federal government. 

What is the average salary for someone with a criminal justice bachelor's degree?

The average salary for someone with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice can vary widely depending on your educational background, experience, job title, and even the state in which you work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for someone who works as a probation officer was $61,800 per year in 2023.*

 

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Probation Officers and Correctional Treatments Specialists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed November 14, 2024.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.

Disclaimers:

1 Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.