Key Information:
- University of Oklahoma is the #1 school for the fastest online criminal justice degrees.
- Fastest criminal justice degree online degrees let students earn a degree faster than usual by allowing the transfer of previous credits and offering shorter course durations.
- Designed for working adults, these degrees offer online courses that can fit around a busy schedule.
- The degrees focus on essential law enforcement skills, preparing students for various roles in criminal justice.
Are you a working professional in the criminal justice system? Is not having a bachelor’s degree might be holding you back? Check out Bachelor Degree Center’s top 10 accelerated criminal justice degree online programs!
Our editors first ranked accelerated online criminal justice programs in November 2019. This ranking was updated in January 2024.
Some of the best colleges for criminal justice and law enforcement have several specific options. Some programs let you count work experience toward your degree. If you already have a criminal justice job, look for schools that will count your experience as credit hours. This way, you can take fewer classes and get your degree sooner.
Related:
- Top Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degrees
- Top Online Criminal Justice Degrees
- Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degrees
- Criminal Justice Scholarships
Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Working adults who want to enhance their careers want to do it quickly, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing quality for speed. Bachelor’s Degree Center’s analytics team knows that, and that’s why the BDC ranking of the fastest online criminal justice programs just starts with speed. Programs are also ranked according to five key factors:
Only trusted, accredited programs qualify.
1. University of Oklahoma
When you’re planning to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice online, you may want to consider the program at the University of Oklahoma. The accelerated criminal justice degree online from the university allows students to finish their degree in 18 months or at a pace that fits their goals.
The program offers eight-week courses that give students the opportunity to finish a bachelor’s degree at a fast pace. Students can also transfer credits to speed up the process.
A key way the University of Oklahoma stands apart from other programs is the focus on law enforcement and related skills. The program teaches students the basics of forensic science as it applies to investigations, as well as the way the justice system works and different types of crimes.
By providing students with a strong foundation, it prepares students for the challenges of working in law enforcement careers.
What We Like: The University of Oklahoma is one of the top ten online programs for criminal justice according to U.S. News and World Reports.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
2. Ball State University
When you are looking for an accelerated online criminal justice degree that fits your personal schedule, the BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ball State University may help with your goals. The accelerated program allows you to transfer the majority of your credits and still complete the online degree program.
You only need to finish the last 30 credits at the university to obtain your bachelor’s degree. As an accelerated program, it also offers fast-paced classes.
Ball State University is recognized by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the best schools for its online criminal justice degree program. The program provides students with the strong foundation they need to take on a career in law enforcement or a related career path.
It also ensures that students are prepared for the rigors of their careers and have the ability to keep up in a fast-paced work environment.
What We Like: Ball State University offers credit for military service and allows students to get credit for classes by taking appropriate exams.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice and Criminology
3. Norwich University
Norwich University offers an accelerated criminal justice degree online that allows students to focus on their career objectives. The online degree program provides a robust curriculum that teaches leadership skills, ethics, and data analysis as it applies to the criminal justice field. It also prepares students to understand different aspects of the law to handle the challenges of working in law enforcement or a similar role.
Norwich University allows students to transfer up to 90 credits into the online degree program. That allows students to finish up their degrees at a fast pace and continue into a long-term career. Students can finish the degree program in 18 months or as it fits their schedule. The flexible program ensures that students are able to focus on their goals.
What We Like: Norwich University offers multiple start dates for the online criminal justice degree program to fit the needs of working adults.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
4. DeSales University
DeSales University offers an accelerated online criminal justice degree program that fits the needs of working adults. The program offers different tracks to help students focus on a specific career objective. That allows students to gain the specialized skills that fit their industries and the situation at their jobs. It also gives students a chance to adjust to a new job.
A key way DeSales University differs from other programs is the flexibility of the online degree program. Students can work around their schedules while completing a degree. It also offers accelerated courses on-campus through a night and weekend program. The options allow students to find a strategy that works for their long-term goals and situation.
What We Like: DeSales University offers personal advising to students in the online criminal justice program to help students narrow down their options and select the right courses for their goals.
Degree: BA in Criminal Justice
5. King University (TN)
King University offers an online BS in Criminal Justice degree program with an accelerated format that helps students reach their goals. The online degree program allows students to finish the degree within 16 months due to the short five-week courses. When students are taking full-time courses, they are able to finish their degrees at a fast pace and move forward with long-term plans for a career.
The way King University stands apart from other programs is the focus on a comprehensive understanding of the American justice system. The program gives students a strong foundation in criminal procedures and criminal law to prepare students for the challenges of working in law enforcement, parole officers, or other civil servant roles.
What We Like: King University in Tennessee is a Yellow Ribbon School and is a military-friendly school that works with the GI Bill to help veterans, active-duty members of the military, and their family members.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
6. Troy University
The accelerated online criminal justice program at Troy University is a good option for students who want to complete their degree at a fast pace. The online program allows students to transfer up to 75 percent of their credits. That allows students to finish their degrees at a fast pace and move forward into a new career.
Troy University differs from other programs by focusing on flexibility and access to educational opportunities. The online degree program allows students to work at their own pace. It gives students the ability to work from any location and ensures that students are able to access course materials when they are ready for the classes. It also focuses on providing a strong foundation in criminal procedures to give students the skills they need to work in law enforcement.
What We Like: Students in the criminal justice degree program at Troy University can complete a certification in cybersecurity to enhance their skills and options for a career.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
7. University of West Georgia
When you’re looking for an accelerated online program in criminal justice, you want to consider the BS in Criminal Justice from the University of West Georgia. The online degree program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits, which reduces the time you spend working on your classes. It allows students to work at their own pace and is designed around the needs of working adults.
The University of West Georgia offers a flexible solution for students who want to study criminal justice. The degree program allows students to work online or on-campus. That means students can work at their own pace and complete their degree when it fits their situation.
When students do not transfer credits, it is possible to finish the degree within three years when taking a full-time schedule. Transferring credits may cut back on the time required to finish the degree.
What We Like: The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges for its online degree programs.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers an accelerated bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice. The online degree program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits into the program to cut back on the amount of time required to finish a degree.
The school also offers a simple application process that allows students to complete the application online and then the school obtains records of a student’s transcripts from other institutions in the United States for transfer credits.
Southern New Hampshire University stands apart by focusing on a user-friendly experience for students. It makes the application process and transfer process simple by focusing on a single application. It does not require the complexity of providing a variety of documents to the school. That allows students to easily start working on their degrees.
What We Like: Students with experience in law enforcement may qualify for credits based on their experience and work.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
9. Monroe College
The online criminal justice degree program from Monroe College offers accelerated options to move forward with a career. The degree program ensures that students are able to focus on their long-term goals and move into an exciting career in the criminal justice system. It gives students a strong foundation to help build on their career and develop the skills they need for their goals.
Monroe College allows students to transfer up to 90 credits into the online degree program. That allows students to finish their degree in a short amount of time and start working in their careers. The ability to transfer credits into the program ensures that students do not waste time when they have already finished some education in other programs.
What We Like: Monroe College offers a Police Academy Scholars program, or PASS program, that prepares students studying in criminal justice for the challenges of the police academy.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
10. Louisiana State University — Alexandria
Louisiana State University — Alexandria offers an accelerated criminal justice degree online that allows students to transfer credits into the program with ease. The program allows students to transfer a variety of credits, so the exact amount of time required to complete the program may vary. Students can transfer the majority of their credits into the program and still finish a degree at the university.
LSU Alexandria stands out from other programs by offering multiple start dates for the online degree program in criminal justice. Students can start working on their degree at multiple times throughout the year, which gives students greater flexibility to work around a job or personal obligations. The start dates for the degree program occur at different points throughout the year, so students can select a date that works around their needs.
What We Like: Students can get up to 15 credits for the degree when they have completed the 320-hour basic training course through the Police Academy.
Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
Data Sources:
- Cost — current IPEDS data
- Employment — current IPEDS data
- Graduation Rate — current IPEDS data
- Reputation — Niche Score
- Salary Potential — Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, Payscale data
Frequently Asked Questions
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in two years depending on the transfer credit program for prior learning assessments, credit-for-examinations, military training, professional certification, and work experience. You can also choose accelerated programs, degree completion programs, and competency-based programs to earn a Criminal Justice degree in under four years.
No, a bachelor’s degree is not required for employment in the criminal justice industry. You can become a police officer, a correction officer, and a bailiff with only a high school diploma, plus additional formal training and on-the-job training. However, a bachelor’s degree gives you exclusive access to career advancement opportunities in criminal justice.
When deciding, remember that the accelerated program of study demands that you keep up with the fast learning pace. If you have excellent time and stress management skills, effective study habits, and motivation to keep up with these challenges, then go for it.
In terms of focus, bachelor of arts (BA) programs emphasize the liberal arts, including psychology and sociology, while the bachelor of science (BS) programs focus on the scientific aspects, such as forensic science and research methods. So, if you’re more interested in the administrative side of the criminal justice system, your best bet is the BA degree. If you’re into the specialist side, your best choice is the BS degree.
You can save money because of the short program duration and transfer credits. However, be aware of the tuition, other costs, and financial aid options before making your choice. Generally, however, bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice programs charge between $330 and $715 per credit.
