Criminal Justice
Online Bachelor's Degree Program

Yes. Students may pursue an undergraduate degree in criminal justice as a solid educational foundation to help them prepare to apply for law school.

The American Bar Association (ABA) does not make any specific recommendation for undergraduate majors, noting that students are accepted to law school from a wide variety of academic disciplines.

Herzing University also offers legal studies programs that can help prepare students to work in different areas of law. Some students use this as a first step toward law school, be it in the near future or a few years down the road.

Criminology is the study of crime, including its causes, consequences and costs. Criminology students study the behavior patterns, backgrounds, and sociological trends of criminals.

Criminal justice is a social science that seeks to identify and explain criminal behavior, as well as how society deals with crime. Criminal justice majors focus more on the legal and correctional systems, the deterrence of crimes, and ethics codes of behavior. Students in a criminal justice program often study a variety of topics including legal studies, psychology, public administration, and sociology.

Though they are different, both criminologists and criminal justice professionals work in the criminal justice sector to lessen crime and improve society.

You are typically not required to earn a degree to enroll in police academy and work as a police officer. A high school diploma is often the minimal required formal education, with a required background check. Some agencies may require a bachelor’s degree or a certain number of credit hours, especially at the federal level.

While you may not need a degree for your first entry-level job as a police officer, if you plan to continue advancing your career in criminal justice, earning an associate or bachelor’s degree is a good idea.

Step 1 is getting educated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), crime scene investigators (CSIs, alternatively referred to as “forensic science technicians”) are typically required to hold a bachelor’s degree.

While a major in a natural science like biology or chemistry may be preferred for a role more focused in a laboratory setting, an education in criminal justice can be appropriate for jobs more heavily favoring crime scene analysis and evidence collection in the field. Our bachelor’s degree curriculum includes a course titled “Evidence Forensics” which covers the basic rules of evidence collection.

Prerequisites for employment will vary by the job. Sometimes prior law enforcement or criminology experience will be required, particularly for senior-level roles.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every job is different and educational requirements will vary by employer. Some will only require a high school diploma, while others (particularly federal agencies) may require an associate or bachelor’s degree.

You may be able to qualify for entry-level jobs without a degree, but advancing your career in criminal justice may become more difficult without any formal college-level education.

Course subjects and topics in our bachelor’s degree program include:

• Criminal Investigation, which provides an overview of the investigative process and current issues.
• Criminal Law, which covers key components of criminal law and its enforcement. It also includes an overview of the criminal law process, defenses, and jurisdiction of the courts. 
• Ethics in Law Enforcement, which reviews public administration and ethical issues involved with public service.
• Evidence Forensics, which covers the law model and types and current rules of evidence acquisition.
• Crisis Intervention, which provides study in the methods and techniques employed by professionals in the field of crisis intervention.
• Risk Assessment, which helps students learn how to assess and identify threats, analyze targets, and implement approaches to risk assessment.

With an associate degree in criminal justice, you may be eligible for a variety of jobs, including security guards and first-line supervisors of protective service workers. These jobs are found in a variety of industries, including travel, gambling, and investigation and security services.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), security guards earned an average salary of $40,440 per year ($19.44 per hour).*

With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you can be eligible for jobs such as first-line supervisor of correctional officer, first-line supervisor, police officer, or detective. The BLS reports the average wage for detectives and criminal investigators is $95,930 per year ($46.12 per hour).

Yes, you can earn your associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice online. Look for a regionally accredited university like Herzing that has a well-rounded curriculum and experienced faculty and staff. Universities that offer student advisors and online support can help prepare you for academic success.

Once you have your associate or bachelor’s degree, you can also pursue additional training or education to help increase your earning potential and further your career.

Yes, absolutely. A degree in criminal justice can help prepare you for a variety of jobs, from law enforcement to public service. The field continues to expand, offering people more career opportunities.

In addition, a criminal justice degree provides a strong base of knowledge for future learning if you so choose. You can potentially pursue a law degree, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), or a Master of Social Work (MSW). With Herzing you may potentially earn dual credit towards an MBA or MSW as part of the bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice.

If you enjoy learning about the law, possess a strong sense of responsibility, and would like to help serve your community, a criminal justice degree may be a great fit. Learn more about our criminal justice degree program today!