Online Criminal Law Schools: How to Choose

There are no online degrees programs in criminal law, but online degree programs in criminology and criminal justice include courses in criminal law that prepare students for a career in law enforcement as security and corrections officers, detectives, bail enforcement agents and homeland security agents.

How to Choose an Online Program in Criminal Justice and Criminology

Award Levels

Professional online programs offer students the training necessary to pursue a career in criminology and criminal justice. Students in these programs study the workings of the judicial system, crime patterns, prevention and law enforcement methods.
Online degrees are available at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students are encouraged to engage in individual field research. Selecting the appropriate level of study is dependent on a student's career goals. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice can work in corrections, security or police agencies. Those with a master's degree may qualify for higher-level roles in investigation and federal law enforcement. Graduates who hold a master's degree in criminal justice can also find jobs in education.

Program Type

Online programs in criminology and criminal justice are offered in full online immersion and low-residency (hybrid) formats. Online immersion programs provide complete course instruction though a combination of multimedia and Web platforms. Students participate in virtual class discussions, view DVD lectures and complete online readings. Students in full online programs are generally not required to take classes on campus.
Hybrid programs are more common among online criminology and criminal justice degree programs. These typically require students to spend at least part of the time on campus, where they benefit from classroom instruction and gain hands-on experience with the tools and the procedures required in the field.

Technical Requirements

In order to participate in online programs, students are required to have access to a computer with a Web browser and a reliable Internet connection, preferably broadband. Students will also need a basic level of technical fluency to feel comfortable uploading, opening and accessing files on the Internet.

List of Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs

Online Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

The bachelor's program in criminal justice can take 3-4 years to complete. Students in the program complete general liberal arts courses in addition to core criminology classes. Course requirements include classes in areas such as crime analysis, policing, crime control strategies and theories of crime. Upper level students may also wish to specialize in areas such as juvenile crime, gang violence or drugs. Earning this degree can provide preparation for entry-level positions in criminal justice.

Post-Bachelor Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The post-bachelor certificate is aimed at students who hold a bachelor's degree in another subject but would undertake focused study in the field of criminal law. Students follow a basic curriculum in criminology along with electives in offender rehabilitation, crime in specific populations or applied crime mapping. A graduate certificate in criminology and criminal justice can be completed in a little over one year.

Online Master's of Science in Criminal Justice

A master's degree in criminal justice provides preparation for entry-level administrative, management, teaching and research positions in schools, government agencies and security companies. The online program can be completed in two years or one year through an accelerated schedule.
Master's students study criminal justice from multiple perspectives, including the theory, administration, and policy aspects. Classes can also focus on specialized topics like juvenile crime, gang behavior or drugs. Students on individualized tracks take advanced courses in their specialized field. Completion of the program depends on successful completion of the courses and lesson materials in the program as well as the presentation of a final project.