How Long Does it Take to Get a Criminology Degree?

I get this question a lot: how long does it take to get a Criminology degree? Truthfully, that depends on which degree level you want to pursue. Is it an Associates, a Bachelors, a Masters, or a PhD in Criminology? Are you taking Criminology at a traditional campus university or college? Or, is the Criminology degree from an online school?

Answer based on an average of the expected completion time:

Associates Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 2 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 1 to 2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Bachelors Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 3 to 3 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16 credits
  • 4 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
  • 4 and 1/2 to 5 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

Masters Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 1 and 1/2 to 2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
  • 2 to 3 years is the norm – usually full time: may depend on the school
    
  • 3 and 1/2 to 5 years , or more – usually part time: may depend on the school, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 1 to 2 and 1/2 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule

PhD / Doctorate Degree in Criminology

• Traditional
  • 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 – with a Masters degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology or prior permission to take on higher class load, usually the former expedites the doctorate.
  • 4 to 5 years is the norm – usually full time: the length of the degree may depend on the school
    
  • 5 to 6 years, or more – usually part time or a class a time: colleges and universities often cap their PhD program at 5 years, prior permission may be required
    
• Online
  • 2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually one cannot manipulate the program to go faster or slower -but, there are exceptions to this general rule

I hope this helps. Be aware that you can shorten or lengthen the journey to your degree. Usually it takes a little initiative, but it pays dividends down the road. Good luck!

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