Online Criminology Degrees

Online degrees in criminology prepare individuals to enter careers in which they will help to protect communities and the people who live within them. Through coursework that examines the complexities of law enforcement, aspiring criminologists are equipped with the professional ethics, cultural fluency and critical thinking skills necessary to meet the demands of the field. Criminology students develop and strengthen their abilities to communicate and to problem-solve through classes rooted in both theory and the practical application of these concepts in real-world settings. Moreover, their understanding of criminal behavior and how best to confront it will position criminology online degree graduates as leaders in security-related occupations.

Internet studies for degrees in criminology accommodate all learners by providing flexibility that aligns with their schedule demands, as well as afford them the opportunity to work full-time as they pursue their credentials. In addition, online degrees in criminology allow learners to:

  • access Internet libraries and databases;
  • exchange knowledge and resources with classmates around the world;
  • engage with expert faculty across the globe; and
  • determine their own class times in accordance with their lifestyles.

Online Degrees in Criminology: Degrees and Educational Requirements

Individuals may enroll in Web-based programs through accredited colleges and universities to earn online degrees in criminology at the Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate levels. The requirements, including length of program and mandated prerequisites, vary for each degree.

  • Online Associate degrees in criminology can be completed in less than two years.
  • Online Bachelor degrees in criminology can be completed in either four or less years if individuals are able to transfer credits, including those earned through an Associate criminology degree program.
  • Online Master degrees in criminology can be completed in less than two years. Applicants must submit an undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution and may also be required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, a personal statement and a resume.
  • Online Doctorate degrees in criminology can be completed in less than two years with an accepted transfer of credits. This doctorate may be considered a specialization within a program such as either public policy or psychology.

Online Degrees in Criminology: Courses

Coursework for online degrees in criminology is highly interdisciplinary, integrating subject matter from psychology, political science, legal studies and computer science so that students acquire a deep understanding of the intricacies of the field. Internships that demonstrate the practical application of textbook teachings may also be required.

Students who pursue online degrees in criminology may enroll in classes such as:

  • Associate Degree:
    • Introduction to Criminal Justice, which examines law enforcement, courts and corrections and provides an overview of criminal justice research.
    • Police and Society, which explores the various response methods a patrol officer can employ to assist citizens as well as topics related to traffic enforcement.
  • Bachelor Degree:
    • Criminal Investigations, which addresses the relevancy of the Constitution to criminal investigations and discusses appropriate crime scene investigation techniques.
    • Criminal Justice Ethics, which focuses on the ethical demands in policing as well as considers issues of loyalty within law enforcement and corrections.
  • Master Degree:
    • Survey Criminological Theories, which provides students an understanding physiological, genetic, psychological and psychiatric theories and the relevance of these concepts to criminal behavior.
    • Computer Applications in Criminal Justice, which introduces the use of computers and the Internet within the criminal justice system and examines how word processing, databases, graphics and Web-based applications affect the field.
  • Doctorate Degree
    • Terrorism: A Systemic Approach for Emergency Preparedness, which addresses local, national and global terrorism and the development of preparedness infrastructure.
    • Policy Analysis in the Criminal Justice System, which reviews court decisions to explore the correspondence between constitutional rights and crime prevention, as well examines policy issues within the context of public safety strategies.

Online Degrees in Criminology: Careers

Depending on the credential attained, graduates who earn online degrees in criminology are prepared for either entry-level occupations in the field, e.g., security officer, court clerk and loss prevention specialist, or mid- to advanced level positions that necessitate supervisory responsibilities, e.g., crime scene analyst, child protection investigator and probation administrator. For those already employed in the field, the degree can lead to on-the-job advancement.

Because salaries are contingent on the occupational choice and geographic location of the online criminology degree graduate, earnings will vary. To provide an estimate of how wages vary according to specific criminology careers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports national earnings data for professionals in the field. On average, a security officer earns $26,000 annually; a corrections officer, $43,000; a police officer, $55,000; and a criminal investigator, $66,000.