Criminal Justice and Legal

If you want to pursue a career in criminal justice, take the first steps with one of Penn Foster's online criminal justice and legal training programs. These affordable programs are all offered online and can be taken at your own pace. From accredited degree programs to career diplomas and certificates, you can find the criminal justice or legal program that is right for you.

AVG SALARY**

$69,060/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS**

808,700

Popular Criminal Justice and Legal Programs

Paralegal

Career Diploma

Through classes on legal research, writing, and law, you can prepare to become a paralegal online with our Paralegal Career Diploma.

4 months As low as $59/mo

Private Investigator

Career Diploma

Learn about fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, undercover investigations, and more skills to become a private investigator.

3 months As low as $69/mo

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

All Criminal Justice and Legal Programs

7 Programs

Criminal Justice

Associate Degree 4 months per semester As low as $75/mo

Criminal Justice

Bachelor's Degree 2 months per semester As low as $69/mo

Legal Secretary

Career Diploma 5 months As low as $59/mo

legal professional with paperwork using laptop in office.

LexisNexis^® Legal Research

Certificate 4 months Total cost $399

Paralegal

Career Diploma 4 months As low as $59/mo

Paralegal Studies

Associate Degree 4 months per semester As low as $69/mo

Private Investigator

Career Diploma 3 months As low as $69/mo

Our Proven Criminal Justice and Legal Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

Self-paced
Online
Start anytime

Interactive

Digital study guides
Dynamic online practice
Video and audio content

Supportive

Career Services
Live support
Academic Guidance

Connected

Credentialed Instructor Assistance
Student Services
Learning Resource Center

Help Me Decide

Resources to help you choose the right criminal justice program for you.

Get Started

Which is right for you?

Need help deciding which level of program to pursue?

Career Certificate

Typically takes less than 6 months to complete
Focus on job-specific skills needed for success in certain occupations
For people looking to update their skills or pursue an interest in a field

Career Diploma

Time to complete can vary depending on the program
Provides the skills to prepare an individual to move to a new career path
Help you prepare for industry recognized certifications

Associate Degree

Multi-semester, long form college program
Includes general education courses plus occupation specific curriculum
Helps prepare people for occupations that require a degree

Bachelor's Degree

Multi-semester, long form college program
Includes general education courses plus occupation specific curriculum
Helps prepare people for occupations that require a degree

Interested in Individual Courses?

Jump-start your college education, earn credits toward a degree, or learn new skill.

Learn More

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

Employbridge, MOD, Guild & LifeBridge Health logos.

Learn More

Student Success Stories

Penn Foster’s criminal justice and legal training programs help students prepare for the next step in their career path. These programs have helped recent graduates learn at their own pace, find new jobs, and qualify for promotions. Learn more about their experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.

View Student Success Stories

Kenesha S.

Paralegal Career Diploma Graduate, 2023

“I have been able to switch careers with no pushback. The legal field has been so great and welcoming of the knowledge I have been able to show them. I have had the opportunity to start a small business working virtually for law firms. As a starting-out paralegal this is unheard of.”

Related News

How to Prepare for a Criminal Justice Career

How to Become A Private Investigator

Legal Careers You Can Apply For Without a Law Degree

Disclaimer:

*Start for $20 offer applies to select programs.

Sources:

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Police and Detectives." Accessed October 2, 2023.

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.