If you have decided that you want to pursue a career in law enforcement, the court system, or forensic science, a fast degree in Criminal Justice can qualify you for your desired position. Many large colleges and universities offer a major in Criminal Justice, so if you want a fast degree in Criminal Justice you should look for schools that offer accelerated programs or will accept a large number of credits that you have already earned. Prospective students who require schedule flexibility should consider online degrees that allow them to do classwork when it’s convenient. If you have no prior credits, the fastest degree that you can get is an Associate’s degree, which usually requires the completion of 60 credits over a two-year span. However, to get your foot in the door in the field of criminal justice you will most likely need a Bachelor’s degree, which usually requires the completion of 120 credits over four years. Most students take 30 credits a year (15 per semester), but if you want to obtain your Bachelor’s degree in three years or less you can take heavier course loads and summer classes if necessary. For reference to schools that allow students to obtain fast Bachelor’s degrees with schedule-friendly online formats, check out the list of 30 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degrees. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the best colleges for Criminal Justice that offer options for expedited degrees.
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private, nonprofit university with a giant student body of over 100,000. Many of the students are enrolled in Liberty’s top-notch online degree programs that allow students to take classes in 8‑week sessions instead of the typical 15-week semester structure. Liberty also allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from other universities, and also offers to award academic credits for some previous professional experience and learning. If you happen to be a former military member or are currently an Active Duty Law Enforcement that is looking to increase their academic career credentials for promotion, Liberty University will offer you a discount on tuition, which is already an affordable rate of $390 per credit hour.
Lamar University
Lamar University is a public research university located in Beaumont, Texas. Their online format offers students the option to take classes in 8‑week time frames, giving students the schedule flexibility to do classwork when its convenient for them. The university offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice, both of which can be completed on-campus or online. At the rate of $235 per credit hour, Lamar University offers one of the best deals for a fast degree in Criminal Justice.
Colorado State University-Global Campus
Colorado State University’s Global Campus allows students to select from all of their course options in online formats. Students are allowed to transfer up to 90 credits from other institutions that will go to the completion of their Bachelor’s Degree. Classes are offered in accelerated 8‑week formats, and begin every four weeks, giving their students a great amount of schedule flexibility. They offer a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice. At a rate of $350 per credit hour, Colorado State University offers an affordable Criminal Justice degree that can be completed in accelerated classes that fit your schedule.
Related:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs
15 Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Bachelor’s Programs
10 Fastest Online Criminal Justice Degree Bachelor’s Programs
10 Most Affordable Criminal Justice Degree Bachelor Programs