Criminal Justice
Bachelor’s Degree, Associate's Degree
Your local community has always held a special place in your life and you want to leave a positive impact. As an online Criminal Justice degree student at Rasmussen College, you could be on your way to serving your community and advancing your career in as few as 18 months.1 In our online Criminal Justice Associate’s degree and Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree-completion programs, you will focus on developing the in-demand skills and critical-thinking abilities you need to launch or advance your career in this challenging and rewarding field.2
The Criminal Justice program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional license. In Minnesota, the Criminal Justice Associate’s degree program does not meet the standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for persons who seek employment as a peace officer.
Flex Choice®: Get Credit for What You Know
The Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees are available with Flex Choice self-directed assessment offerings, which allows you to blend traditional online courses with self-directed assessments that provide optional coaching assistance. Assessments provide more flexibility, and—at $99 per attempt—this is a more affordable way to receive credit for what you already know. For additional information, visit our Flex Choice page.
Skills You Take Directly into the Field
There’s no one better to teach professional skills than experts working in the field. That’s why in our program, you’ll learn directly from experienced professionals and benefit from well-rounded curriculum that helps develop real-world criminal justice knowledge and skills.
Online Courses Go Where You Go
We applaud your dedication to grow despite your busy lifestyle. Our online learning options are designed to give you more control and balance over your schedule. At the same time, you’ll receive hands-on support from faculty at every stage.
Regional Accreditation
Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree
Finish in as few as
18 months1
Learning options
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
- Flex Choice®
Intended for
Students who already have an Associate's degree or previous college credits and have a passion to help others. These students want to make a positive difference in their local community through the theory and practice of criminal justice law and understand concepts in the justice system. Students who wish to enter or advance in a leadership role in the field of criminal justice conveniently online.
Prepares you for
Investigator, federal law enforcement, juvenile probation officer, adult probation/parole officer, security manager, corporate security supervisor
Criminal Justice
Associate's Degree
Finish in as few as
18 months1
Learning options
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
- Flex Choice®
Intended for
Students who have a passion to help others and want to make a positive difference in their local community through critical thinking and communication. Students who wish to enter the field of criminal justice conveniently online and, upon graduation, have the option to transfer their online Criminal Justice program credits toward a Criminal Justice Bachelor's degree.
Prepares you for
Corrections officer, security officer, Homeland Security TSA agent, court clerk, law enforcement (varies by state)
Not Sure This Degree Is Right for You?
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
9 Careers in Criminal Justice for Degree Holders to Consider
An online Criminal Justice degree can prepare you for a variety of jobs within the legal system. We did a little research to give you a better idea of the career paths this rewarding field could offer you.
Read moreTurn Your Education into a Career
We’ve made advancing your criminal justice career easier by offering classes and credentials that fit into a busy working schedule. All of our programs are taught by seasoned instructors who blend their experience into the curriculum to prepare you for life after graduation. Whether you want to start a path in criminal justice or want to advance your career, you know you will be strengthening your passion for helping others in your community by enrolling in a Criminal Justice program. If you start in our Criminal Justice program by pursuing an Associate’s degree and want to advance your education, you can smoothly transfer your Associate’s degree credits into our Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree, a program focused on developing your leadership skills.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.3 Here are just a few examples of where a Criminal Justice degree can take you.
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Consumer Disclosure Information
Important information about the educational debt, earnings and completion rates of students who attended this program.
“The program has the most amazing instructors; I could sing their praises for days.”
Nicole
Criminal Justice Graduate
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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The Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree and Criminal Justice Associate’s degree programs have not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and the programs do not lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. Additional education, training, experience, and/or other eligibility criteria may apply.
In Minnesota, the Criminal Justice Associate’s degree program does not meet the standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for persons who seek employment as a peace officer. - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed May 30, 2018] https://www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed May 30, 2018] www.bls.gov/ooh/. BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.