Can I take any legal-related degree online? Yes, you can. Criminal justice is one program in the legal field which you can take online, especially if North Carolina (NC) is your destination. NC State boasts not only the best on-campus but also online criminal justice degree programs in the USA.
Whether an online Associates, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, we’ll show you why NC state is for you.
Criminal justice is a broad discipline that involves law enforcement, prosecution, sentencing, and the correcting of criminals. So, if you’ve ever fancied becoming an FBI, a prosecutor, or a correctional officer, a Criminal Justice degree is what you need. The good news even is that you can get one online, studying at your pace and convenience.
However, in this post, we’ll show you why the NC state is the best place to get an online criminal justice degree. We will also show you the criminal justice colleges in NC where you can get the best online degree programs.
Finally, we will answer every relevant question you have concerning the criminal justice career and programs. Stay with us!
Why Earn an Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina?
Let’s start with eye-catching facts:
First, there are 96 schools in North Carolina offering degrees in Criminal Justice.
Second, 39 of these NC colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice.
Third, 26 of the 96 NC Criminal Justice colleges offer Criminal Justice degree programs online.
Fourth, two NC universities rank in US News’ Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs – East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University.
In addition to these, notable alumni such as Columbia, NC Police Chief Randy Scott and Raleigh North Carolina Police Chief Harry Dolan attended NC state universities.
Furthermore, North Carolina’s Criminal Justice programs are one of the cheapest in the country.
So, why should you linger longer?
Do NC State Criminal Justice Online Colleges have Accreditation?
It is very wise of you to ask this question. In this modern-day and time, accreditation is very important. For a school to have accreditation means that it meets certain educational standards that makes graduate employable in their chosen career.
There is the National, Regional, and Specialized accreditation, which is available for colleges and trade schools. Regional accreditation, the most prestigious, is a common accreditation for not-for-profit colleges in the USA.
However, there are six agencies that grant regional accreditation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits North Carolina colleges.
On specialized accreditation, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) accredits criminal justice programs.
NC State Criminal Justice Online Colleges, especially our top 10, has at least accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
How much does a criminal justice degree cost?
A criminal justice online degree is usually cheaper than on-campus learning. An online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per credit hour.
However, many colleges charge lesser tuition for in-state students. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke charges as low as $53.21. An online Masters in Criminal Justice, however, costs around $200 to $900 per credit hour.
What are the Educational Requirements for Criminal Justice Professionals in NC State?
First of all, complete high school and get a high school diploma, or GED.
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Afterwards, you need at least an Associate Degree or Certificate program is what you need to begin your criminal justice career. However, for criminal justice career paths like security, law enforcement, and forensic technology, a two-year Associate’s program is more in place than a certificate program.
A bachelor’s or graduate degree, however, is necessary if you want to lead more ambitious career paths in criminal justice. You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice to work within the NC state’s prison system.
Probation Parole officers and Correctional Officers also require a four-year bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Do I need a License to Practice a Criminal Justice Profession in NC State?
Yes, in addition to your educational requirements, you must have a license to become a criminal justice professional in North Carolina.
However, to get a license in NC state to practice your chosen Criminal Justice career, you must be at least 20 years. Also, you must complete the NC state’s basic law enforcement training and pass the relevant state exam. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Justice Academy handles all law enforcement training.
Note, however, that the licensing requirements differ by profession. For example, all security guards in North Carolina must undergo a criminal background check and complete 16 hours of training. Correctional officers, on the other hand, must pass a physical ability test and complete a four-week academy.
So, ensure to find out the licensing, registration, and certification requirements for your career to be able to prepare well for it.
Note, also, that licenses do not automatically transfer from state to state. Thus, your North Carolina license will be invalid in Pennsylvania.
How can I get criminal justice certifications NC?
Criminal Justice Certification in NC differ by the profession. so, to get a certification, look out for, and ensure to meet the certification requirement for your profession.
For example, all security guards in North Carolina must undergo a criminal background check and complete 16 hours of training. Also, you must be at least 20 years of age to be eligible for certification.
How long does an online criminal justice degree take?
An online criminal justice bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. On the other hand, it takes a minimum of 36 credit hours to complete an online master’s in criminal justice, which is about one year.
Criminal Justice Jobs, Salaries, and Job Outlook
The career path for a Criminal Justice degree is very broad.
Some of the professions you can take include:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2018 average salary of Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment is $53,020 per year. There were 91,600 jobs available for this position and it is to grow by 3% from 2018-2028.
For Police and Detectives, the 2018 average salary is $53,020 per year. There were 808,700 available Police jobs in 2018 and it is to grow by 5% from 2018-2028.
Private Police and Investigators, on the other hand, had an average salary of $50,090 per year. There were 33,000 available jobs for them in 2018 and it is to grow by 8% from 2018-2028.
Furthermore, Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers receive an average pay of $28,530 per year. They had 1,154,300 available jobs in 2018 and it is to grow by 4% from 2018-2028.
Finally, the Forensic science Technician’s 2018 average salary is $58,230 per year. 16,700 jobs were available for them in 2018 and it is to grow by 14% from 2018-2028.
You can also check out; Criminologist: Work Description, Skillset, Salary and Career Tips.
Best Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina
Here are the best ten (10) NC State Colleges where you can get a criminal justice degree program online.
Like we highlighted on why you should study an online criminal justice degree in NC state, there are 26 online criminal justice colleges in North Carolina.
However, to get you the best ten, we have filtered community colleges from the list.
The reason behind this is that community colleges offer only an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. Thus, the program option is very thin and it limits your choice of career in the field.
Other criteria we used in our ranking includes:
Fayetteville State University
Tuition Fees: In-State – $100.75 Per credit hour; Out-of-State – $251.88 Per credit hour
Employability Rate: 88%
Fayetteville State University (FSU) began operating in 1867 and has a total student population of over 6,000 students. The university is a public educational institution in Fayetteville, NC. It has a history as a black university and is the second oldest state-supported school in North Carolina.
While FSU’s offers its criminal justice program on-campus, it also has an online education option. Interestingly, FSU does not only offer a B.S in Criminal Justice but an M.S in Criminal Justice.
In addition to this, you can also apply for a Minor in Criminal Justice at FSU. This minor is an online degree completion option for students majoring in Forensic Science, Sociology, and Social Work.
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Pfeiffer University
Tuition Fees: $460 Per Semester Hour
Employability Rate: 93%
Pfeiffer University is an old university in Misenheimer, North Carolina. It is a private university with over 1,800 students. Although this NC college has a physical structure where it trains its students in various fields of study, it also offers online degree programs.
While Pfieffer’s main Criminal Justice program holds on-campus, this NC college has an online degree completion option. The Criminal Justice – B.S (Degree Completion) program is an adult learning program that prepares you for law enforcement and criminology career.
Campbell University
Tuition Fees: $450/credit hour
Employability Rate: 92%
Campbell University is located at Buies Creek, North Carolina. The university began in 1887 as a private university with the motto “To the stars through difficulties.” So, you should expect rigorous academic learning at Cambell university aimed at perfection.
Meanwhile, Campbell University offers a 100% criminal justice bachelor’s degree program at NC State. However, the Adult and Online school offering this program is at Raleigh, NC. The Criminal Justice program at Campbell University will prepare you for a career in any aspect of Criminal Justice while providing for internship programs.
North Carolina Central University
Tuition Fees: In-State – $144.29 (per credit hour); Out-of-State – $573.58 (per credit hour).
Employability Rate: 93%
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) started in 1910 and is a public, historically black university. This NC state college has over 8,000 students taking programs in its seven schools and colleges. While NCCU’s physical structure is at Durham, NCCU also offers online degree programs to its students.
This NC State college offers a 100% Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice which has certification by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Thus, you will not only gain an understanding of the criminal justice system but also be prepared to take up responsible roles in the field upon graduation.
University of Mount Olive
Tuition Fees: $455 per credit hour
Employability Rate: 90%
The University of Mount Olive started as Mount Allen College in 1951. It is a private college that has affiliation with the Original Free Will Baptist Convention. Also, this NC university offers undergraduate and master’s degrees to its over 3,000 students. Furthermore, while the University of Mount Olive has an on-campus location at Mount Olive, NC, it also offers online degree programs.
Mount Olive’s online Bachelor’s degree program in Criminal Justice and Criminology is one of the best in NC state. The program is a 100% online program for adult students who wish to better understand the criminal justice system. Also, what makes Mount Olive’s program more enjoyable is that there are no specific login times and no waiting six-start sates per year.
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The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Tuition Fees: In-State – $53.21 Per Credit Hour; Put-of-State – $188.34
Employability Rate: 90%
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) began as a public university in Pembroke, NC in 1887. It is a university with over 7,000 students taking programs from the university’s 41 bachelor’s degree programs and 17 master’s degree programs. Nonetheless, UNCP doesn’t only offer its programs at Pembroke. You can as well choose to study conveniently through this NC school’s online programs.
So, UNCP has one of the best online bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in NC State. Pembroke’s Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice offers this program online and on-campus for the university. However, UNCP’s online Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice is for students who wish to understand all about the criminal justice system while studying away from the university facility.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Tuition Fees: In-State – $150.10 Per Credit Hour; Out-of-State – $169.18
Employability Rate: 93%
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) is a state, public university at Wilmington, NC which began in 1947. It is a large university with over 16,000 students studying in the university’s seven academic divisions. However, you can also take UNCW’s degree programs online, in addition to its Wilmington Campus learning.
In this vein, UNCW offers one of the best online bachelor’s degree program in Criminal Justice in NC State. This Bachelor of Arts program in Criminology with a concentration in Criminal Justice prepares students for fulfilling jobs in corrections, probation and parole, and police services.
You should also see; How can I become a Detective? 7 Step by Step Guide
Western Carolina University
Tuition Fees: In-State – $53.88 Per Credit Hour; Out-of-State – $189.02
Employability Rate: 94%
Western Carolina University (WCU) is located in Cullowhee, NC and was formerly Cullowhee Academy. The university began in 1889 as a public university and has a total student enrollment of over 11,000 students. As one of the three schools in the NC Promise Tuition Plan, students of WCU pay reduced tuition compared to most schools in NC. Meanwhile, WCU has 9 colleges offering its academic degree programs.
Through its colleges of Arts and Sciences, WCU offers one of the best online Criminal Justice bachelor’s degrees in NC State. This online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice not only provides a cheap means to earn a degree but also convenience and flexibility of learning.
William Peace University
Tuition Fees: $350 per credit hour
Employability Rate: 89%
William Peace University (WPU) is a small private university at Raleigh, North Carolina. This NC state criminal justice college has affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. Meanwhile, it offers only undergraduate degrees in 26 majors to its over 1,000 students. With its small student population, William Peace University offers an intensive learning opportunity to its students.
Meanwhile, WPU’s online Criminal Justice degree program is the Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. This program is under the university’s Professional Studies Programs. Also, this program is one of the best online Bachelor’s degree programs in Criminal Justice you can study at NC State. It gives you a deep dive into the law, crime and the criminal justice system in a way that blends perfectly to your daily life.
East Carolina University
Tuition Fees: Resident – $232.79 Per Credit Hour; Nonresident – $877.35
Employability Rate: 94%
East Carolina University (ECU) is one of the most popular public research universities in North Carolina. Our list will not be complete without it. It is one of the two colleges that made US News and World Report’s best online Criminal Justice Programs. Meanwhile, ECU began in 1907 and has over 29,000 students. These students enrol in one of ECU’s nine (9) undergraduate colleges, graduate school, and four professional schools.
However, while ECU offers a BS in Criminal Justice on-campus, it only offers a graduate degree program in criminal justice online. ECU’s Criminal Justice MS grooms you to become a highly skilled and competent professional in the areas of law enforcement, homeland security, criminology, juvenile delinquency, victimology, etc.
Finally, you really need to get any of these Top 10 Criminal Justice Scholarships 2024 to study in any of these NC State schools as an Out-of-State Student.
FAQs
A criminal justice online degree is usually cheaper than on-campus learning. An online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per credit hour. However, many colleges charge lesser tuition for in-state students. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke charge as low as $53.21. An online Masters in Criminal Justice, however, costs around $200 to $900 per credit hour.
You can become any of the following with a Criminal Justice Degree:
Probation Officer
Police Officer
Correctional Officer
Private Detective
Security Guard
Crime Scene Investigator
Computer Forensics Specialist
FBI Agent
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent
DEA Agent
Criminal Justice degree could be either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). Universities offering BA and BS in Criminal Justice mostly have similar curriculum.
None is better than the other. It all depends on your preference and the requirement for your criminal justice profession. A BA in criminal Justice is less specialized than a BS in Criminal Justice. Also, a BS in Criminal Justice usually has more credits than a BA because it is more technical than a BA.
Criminal Justice Certification in NC differs by the profession. so, to get a certification, look out for, and ensure to meet the certification requirement for your profession. For example, all security guards in North Carolina must undergo a criminal background check and complete 16 hours of training. Also, you must be at least 20 years of age to be eligible for certification.
An online criminal justice bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. On the other hand, it takes a minimum of 36 credit hours to complete an online master’s in criminal justice, which is about one year.
Conclusion
North Carolina is where to think when you think of an online criminal justice degree.
NC State has some of the best criminal justice colleges offering degree programs that will help you get a strong footing in the criminal justice career path you’ve chosen.
It is important though to check for the college accreditation and tuition fees while applying for an online criminal justice school.
This is to ensure that you study an affordable criminal justice degree that will not only be recognized but leave you employable.
Our list of best online criminal justice degrees settles this and we hope they guide you well to make the best career choice.
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives
- Criminal Justice Degree Schools – North Carolina Criminal Justice Schools
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Private Detective and Investigators
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
- CriminalJustice.com – Online Criminal Justice Degrees in North Carolina
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Forensic Science Technicians
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