As a society, we rely on the criminal justice system to protect our members. An academic background in criminal justice significantly impacts maintaining law and order, solving crimes, and maintaining a safe, vibrant community. Today, criminal justice is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in college education.
Here we are looking at online Criminal Justice degrees from colleges in Florida, which has become a hub for studying Criminal Justice in America.
Also, check accelerated online degrees in criminal justice.
Difference between Criminal Justice & Criminology
It is essential to recognize that criminal justice and criminology are two distinct fields of law enforcement. However, these terms often need to be clarified by the students; let us see the difference between the two, which will help the students focus on what career option they want.
| Parameters of Comparison | Criminal Justice | Criminology |
| Scope of Study | Deals with the system in which one who has committed crime gets punished. | The branch of psychology deals with the study of crimes from a social perspective. |
| Career path | With a degree in Criminal Justice, the graduates pursue a career in law enforcement and land jobs as police officers, correctional officers, detectives etc. | Criminologists get jobs as ATF agent, victim advocate, DEA agent, CIA agent, researcher, corporate security specialist, homeland security agent, and INS agent. |
| Focus | Criminal Justice focuses on law enforcement system. | Criminology focuses on the sociological and psychological aspect of criminal activity. |
| Number of Cases | One case is handled at a time by the Criminal Justice System. | Criminologists work on multiple cases at one time. |
Type of Degrees in Criminal Justice
The table below summarises the programs available for a degree in Criminal Justice :
| Type of Degree | Credit hours required(may vary) | Typical Program Length | Prerequisites |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120-180 | 4 Years | HighSchool or GED transcripts |
| Master’s Degree | 30-36 credits | 1-2 years | Bachelor’s degree; Official transcripts from all applicable schools; letters of recommendation |
Why pursue a degree in Criminal Justice?
Even if you enjoy watching Law and Order, NCIS, or CSI, you may not have considered a career in criminal justice as a career option. Well, this is one exciting and impactful; a profession that goes beyond your 9 to 5 jobs.
10 Cheapest Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
# 1 Florida Atlantic University
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $105 per credit hour
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked as #10 in Top Public Universities in Florida.
Financial Assistance: Available with 89% of students receiving the aid.
As part of this program, students will learn about the causes and nature of crime and delinquency, American law and the legal system for juveniles and adults, and the decision processes of the criminal justice system. In addition to providing the proper groundwork for graduate study in criminal justice, criminology, and other graduate programs, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice provides the student with the foundation for further graduate study in all these fields.
#2 University of Central Florida
Program: BS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $105 per credit hour
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #4 in top public universities in Florida.
Financial Aid: Available with 94% of students receiving the aid.
This 120-credit hour program is one the best programs offered in the field of Criminal Justice. The program boasts an in-depth curriculum taught by an award-winning faculty. The Coursework for the program includes legal aspects of policing, criminal sentencing, and ethics in criminal justice, along with a capstone project in the relevant field.
#3 Indian River State College
Program: BS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $117 per credit hour(in state); $400 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 73% of the students receiving the aid.
This 120-credit hour program prepares the students to take up leadership roles in local, state, and federal law enforcement, probation, corrections, juvenile justice, and private companies providing security services. A minimum of 2GPA on a scale of 4 is needed for admission to the course.
#4 University of West Florida
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $219 per credit hour(in-state); $648 per credit hour (out-of-state).
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranks #9 in Top Public Universities in Florida
Financial Aid: Available with 98% of the students receiving the aid.
The 120-credit hour program boasts innovative coursework designed to establish an excellent learning experience that maximizes curriculum outcomes. If the student has his eyes on a master’s degree, then they can consider the accelerated program bachelor’s to master’s program and complete up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework as an undergraduate student — saving time and money. The high-performing students are offered express admission to the master’s program.
#5 Florida Institute of Technology
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $510 per credit hour
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financial Aid: Available with 92% of the students receiving the aid.
The 121-credit degree program prepares the students for a career in juvenile justice, community corrections, cybercrimes, gangs, drugs, forensic science, criminal investigation, homeland security, and terrorism. The graduates of the program can find solutions to issues by applying proper research techniques by evaluating policies and practices of the criminal justice system.
#6 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $4,554 per annum(in-state); $16,500 per annum(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Assistance: Available with 81% of students receiving the aid.
Students in the Bachelor of Criminal Justice program are equipped with a foundation in social science research to improve their ability to apply social and criminological theory, social science methods, and computer technology to address social and cultural issues associated with criminal justice. Although internships are optional, students are strongly encouraged to plan their schedules to complete one before graduating.
#7 Keiser University
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $8,744 per semester
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available, with 92% of students receiving aid.
The program prepares students in many areas of the Criminal justice system, including crimes, laws, investigation, arrest, prosecution, punishment, and return to society. The University also provides an accelerated BA to MA in Criminal Justice, which will save you time and money, enhance your career potential, and increase job opportunities.
#8 Nova Southeastern University
Program: BS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $17,250 per semester
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranks #9 in Best Value Colleges in Florida.
Financial Assistance: Available, with 100% of the students receiving the aid.
The program provides mentorship opportunities to its students, exposing them to criminal cases and preparing them to investigate, organize, and ultimately prosecute the defendant in a natural trial setting. Also, the curriculum is reviewed regularly to keep it updated with the ever-changing world.
#9 Saint Leo University
Program: BA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $19,831 per semester
Financial Aid: Available with 98% of the students receiving the aid.
Highly distinguished faculty teaches the course using the latest technique and technology. FBI National Academy Associates has approved the university as an educational partner. Graduates of these programs land jobs in law enforcement, correctional facilities, government agencies, private security companies, and other security-related positions in both the private and public sectors.
# 10 Florida International University
Program: BS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $3,432 per semester(in state); $5188 per semester(out of state)
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #5 in Top Public Universities in Florida.
Financial Aid: Available with 89% of students receiving the aid.
The program aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the three main components of the justice system: police, courts, and corrections. It involves applying criminological theories and methods to studying criminology and criminal justice.
7 Cheapest Online Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
#1 University of Central Florida
Program: MS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $327 per credit hour(in state); $1151 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #4 in top public universities in Florida.
Financial Aid: Available with 94% of students receiving the aid.
The program helps the students to leverage the dynamic forces in the criminal justice system and apply them to real-world scenarios. With a deep understanding of crime and criminal justice theory, the course students stand out as a leader in the field of criminal justice.
#2 University of South Florida
Program: MA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $348 per credit hour (in-state); $773 per credit hour(out-of-state).
Accreditation &Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.Ranked #3 in Top Public Universities in Florida.
Financial Assistance: Available, with 99% of students receiving the aid.
This program offers students an opportunity to better understand the criminal justice system and how it impacts the broader community. In addition, students can work on research projects and other professional activities with faculty members, and they can network and form professional connections that can be useful in the future.
#3 University of West Florida
Program: MS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $385 per credit hour(in-state); $1044 per credit hour (out-of-state).
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranks #9 in Top Public Universities in Florida
Financial Aid: Available, with 98% of the students receiving the aid.
The graduates of the 33-credit hour program stand out and make a difference within the evolving field of Criminal Justice. They are likely to enter federal law enforcement, crime analysis, private security, college-level teaching, or take up a leadership position in federal or state government.
#4 University of North Florida
Program: MS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $493 per credit hour(in state); $1044 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Assistance: Available, with 87% of the students receiving the aid.
The program highlights the importance of the interrelationship between theory, practice, and research. After completing the program, students will have acquired professional skills that will allow them to stay up-to-date with research and developments in their field.
#5 Saint Leo University
Program: MA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $635 per credit hour
Financial Aid: Available with 98% of the students receiving the aid.
As part of this program, students learn about ethics in the administration of justice, criminal behaviour, leadership principles and practices, public policy-making processes, criminal law, professional regulations, civil liability, and new technologies. The students are encouraged to customize the degree as per their interest and choose from Forensic science, Behavioural Studies, and Critical incident management.
#6 Florida International University
Program: MS in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $4,310 per semester(in state); $9, 224per semester(out of state)
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #5 in Top Public Universities in Florida.
Financial Assistance: Available with 96% of students receiving the aid.
The degree program focuses on courts, policing, and corrections, thus enabling the students to know the system from its policies to practices. The course boasts a small class size that allows individual attention and engaging discussions.
#7 Keiser University
Program: MA in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $10,892 per semester
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available, with 92% of students receiving aid.
The program enables the students to develop and apply critical thinking and analytical skills to real-world criminal justice issues. The graduates of the course have an in-depth understanding of the ethical, psychological, and societal implications of the concept of justice and its implementation.
Employment opportunities with a degree in Criminal Justice
A degree in Criminal Justice opens a plethora of opportunities for you. Homicide Detective, Crime Investigator, Police Officer, Narcotics Officer, and Drug Enforcement Agent are among the many career options to pursue after a degree in Criminal Justice. As per BLS, the median salary for a Criminal Justice Employee is $66,020.The chart below shows various jobs along with the salaries.
Source: BLS
Is it worthwhile to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice?
If you are passionate about public safety or equal justice, you might be a good fit for a criminal justice degree. In light of the growing demand for criminal justice professionals in the next decade, you can be confident you will be able to secure a great career in the industry upon completing your training.
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