Since this blog has been in existence, I received countless emails and comments asking whether a criminal justice degree is a waste of time. The questions were usually similar, but came with slew of different meanings:

• Is a criminal justice degree worthless?
• Is a criminal justice degree really worthwhile?
• Is a criminal justice degree a good degree? a bad degree?
• Is a criminal justice degree a waste of time?
• Should I take a criminal justice degree in college?

I even tackled a question on whether a criminal justice degree is good for law school candidacy – and probably the most common one: is a criminal justice degree program hard or easy? But, we’re here to find out if it’s worth it.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worthless or Worth It?

Answer: Yes, it’s worth it!

There seems to be a perception out there that those pursuing a criminal justice degree are spending their hard earned money on a degree that’s going to be worthless. The truth is that it’s a desirable degree when coupled with a quality program at a reputable college or university.

So why all the negativity out there? Simply put, many not so reputable schools, and especially those with deep advertising budgets, are giving the industry a bad name. The drive-thru effect of graduating students ill-equipped for the real world job market leaves much to be desired.

The reality is that most popular degree programs – not only criminal justice – fall under this presumption and the advent of online learning has its many critics.

Suggestion: Aim higher. Don’t just apply to the first school you saw on TV or in your search results – look deeper for the best fit. Even if your grades sucked in high school or college, aim higher and apply to at least several schools. And probably the biggest thing of all, pick a reputable school that is properly accredited. Yes, reputable online colleges and universities, like some of the ones listed in Best Criminal Justice Schools in America are just fine.

Just like when you were a kid, when you wanted that sweet cherry or extra sprinkles on top of your ice cream, the recruiters are looking for the best and often with “a cherry on top.” Who really wants a person with a questionable academic record, a shady character, or a total slacker-like attitude working in the criminal justice system; enforcing laws and protecting people, of all things? No one.

But is it worth it financially? Will I make big $$$?

It can be fairly lucrative when used in conjunction with your education, size of the organization you want to work for, and overall time on the job. For example, in terms of law enforcement job opportunities, like those of a police officer, a Sheriff’s deputy, a detective, or a FBI Special Agent, those applying in mid to large municipal, county, state or federal agencies are often required to have a college degree at the time of application.

These mid to large-size agencies usually pay much better than smaller ones and can pay significantly for each level of education above the standard requirement. There’s a big push for four-year college grads, so, those taking an Associate’s degree, may want to think about upgrading to a Bachelor program.

Keep in mind that entry level salaries may seem low, but they are ENTRY LEVEL. After you go through your probationary period, thus increasing your seniority, your salary should go up (oftentimes significantly) and advancement opportunities should become more available (keeping in line with the law enforcement example above). Small departments, like those located in villages and townships may require as little as a high school diploma or a GED, but you get pay that is commensurate with that minimum educational requirement.

It’s not uncommon to see law enforcement officers making high five-figure salaries when performing duties at larger agencies.

I’m not done, yet. Read on… You probably want to know if it’s good or bad for your purposes.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Good or Bad?

Answer: It’s definitely bad if you are planning on becoming a Marine Biologist, or a Chemist, or a Pre-school Teacher… Or, you know, one of those people who is taking a degree just to have one, but has no TRUE intent of working in the field the degree mostly applies to.

If you are interested in working within the criminal justice system; for example, in correctional or law enforcement fields, then you picked the right degree, but be mindful that even when a college degree is a requirement in order to apply or obtain the job, you don’t have to take criminal justice – degrees in business, accounting, and law are very desirable, too (amongst others). My rule of thumb, if a degree has substance / real world application to the criminal justice system (even if just a little), and YOU LOVE that field, then I think you should pursue what you love. It’s much easier going to work when you like what you do rather than when you despise each day you clock out.

Also, USE YOUR COMMON SENSE: if the NSA needs a computer specialist, it probably wants someone with a computer programming or information technology (IT) educational background – OR – if the State Police wants to solve crimes through bullet trajectory analysis, lift latent prints, get a definite photo or video enhancement, or DNA test materials you should probably look closer into the field of Forensic Science; where, degrees like Physics, Chemistry, Digital Photography, and Biochemistry will play a huge role.

So, besides the common sense thinking and my wholehearted optimism, a degree in criminal justice has its limitations… It’s for those that want to pursue one of the many careers in criminal justice. I covered the possible speed bumps in my What Jobs Can I Get with a Criminal Justice Degree article. Check it out.

Last one… for all the marbles.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree a Waste of Time?

Answer: No, especially if you have aspirations to work within the criminal justice field, have a good credit history and a clean criminal record.

You may find taking a criminal justice program imprudent:

• if you have a criminal record that’s filled to the brim with domestic violence and felony convictions
• if you have DUIs that are recent or repetitive. I covered law enforcement employment and DUIs already.
• if your credit sucks (collections, judgements, bankruptcies). Still, those with recovering credit, showing significant improvement may still be considered.
• if you’re nearing the national average cut off age of 36
• if you have little interest in the field
• if you only want a desk job / office job – other degrees are more suitable
• if you don’t want to carry a fire arm

Saying that, a graduate degree in Criminal Justice or Criminology may be of some help for those interested in research and teaching opportunities; where restrictions on age, work environment and lethal accessories are a non-issue. Remember, that even if you get your shiny Master’s or a PhD degree, real-world experience is often preferred as an accompaniment to your education.

Should you take criminal justice in college?

This post should once and for all answer these emailed questions:

• Can cops carry guns on planes?
• Can police officers fly armed?
• Can Federal Agents carry weapons on planes?
• Can law enforcement officers carry guns on airplanes?
• Can FBI Special Agents carry guns on planes?

Ever since 9/11 the public has been made aware that on some flights a Federal Air Marshal (a.k.a. FAM) may be present and armed. But, more and more people are wondering if police officers can carry guns on planes – the same law enforcement officers that hail from Local, County, Tribal, State, and Federal agencies.

The short answer is: Yes, but there’s a “BUT”…

To get to the root of all this speculation I got in touch with a very helpful gentleman who works directly with the Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed (LEOFA) program, under the oversight of The Office of Law Enforcement / Federal Air Marshal Service. Hopefully his input will help answer some of your questions.

Some Cool Facts About Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed

• Most commonly, police officers carry guns on planes to facilitate prisoner transport, dignitary protection and other official police business.
• There are 90+ Federal Law Enforcement Agencies flying armed at one point or another.
• On average, 38,500 law enforcement officers are flying armed per month through approximately 450 federalized airports.
• When you first look at this number, you sense that it is an awful lot. In reality, there are over 850,000 law enforcement officers in over 18,000 departments, including Federal, Military, State, County, Local, Territorial, Tribal, and authorized Railroad LEOs – when you do the math, only about 4.53% of all law enforcement officers fly armed.
• Of those flying armed, approximately
• 70% are Federal law enforcement officers
• 30% are State, Local, Territorial, Tribal and Railroad law enforcement officers

* These statistics are only kept for flights to which screening is mandated (per 49 CFR 1544.219). If an officer is flying armed on a general aviation aircraft they would not be tracked (like the USM ConAir flights).

Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed Program in a Nutshell

The Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service maintains oversight of the Law Enforcement Officers flying armed program under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) § 1544.219 Carriage of Accessible Weapons.

To qualify to fly armed, Federal Regulation states that an officer must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be a Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) or a full-time municipal, county, or state LEO who is a direct employee of a government agency.
• Be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal statutes or immigration statutes.
• Be authorized by the employing agency to have the weapon in connection with assigned duties.
• Have completed the training program, ‘‘Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed.”

In addition to the above requirements, the officer must need to have the weapon accessible from the time he or she would otherwise check the weapon until the time it would be claimed after deplaning. The need to have the weapon accessible must be determined by the employing agency, department, or service and be based on one of the following:

• The provision of protective duty, for instance, assigned to a principal or advance team, or on travel required to be prepared to engage in a protective function.
• The conduct of a hazardous surveillance operation.
• On official travel required to report to another location, armed and prepared for duty.
• Employed as a Federal LEO, whether or not on official travel, and armed in accordance with an agency-wide policy governing that type of travel established by the employing agency by directive or policy statement.
• Control of a prisoner, in accordance with Title 49 CFR § 1544.221, or an armed LEO on a round trip ticket returning from escorting, or traveling to pick up a prisoner.

State, Local, Territorial, Tribal, and approved Railroad LEOs flying armed must submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) message prior to travel. The NLETS message replaces the Original Letter of Authority, commonly referred to as the “Chief’s Letter.” Failure to use the NLETS message will result in denial to the sterile area for failure to comply with the “Letter of Authority.” More information on this procedure is contained in the training program.

The Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed training is a 1.5 to 2 hour block of instruction that is comprised of a structured lesson plan, slide presentation, FAQs, NLETS procedures, and applicable codes of federal regulation. This material is provided to Federal, State, Local, Territorial, Tribal, and approved Railroad Law Enforcement agencies and departments to properly instruct their officers on the subject of flying on board commercial aircraft while armed. The training includes protocols in the handling of prohibited items, prisoner transport, and dealing with an act of criminal violence aboard an aircraft.

Transporting Guns on Planes Resources:

Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed (LEOFA) Program: http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/traveling_with_guns.shtm

TSA’s Traveling with Special Items, Firearms and Ammunition Guide: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Reader emails: Radek, what are the best criminal justice schools in New York?

New York has some of the best colleges and universities in the US, and it definitely has its share of best criminal justice schools in America. Even though these schools are representing the State of New York, you will be pleased to know there is a treat for those looking for the best criminal justice school in New York City, too.

Best Criminal Justice Schools in New York

• John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
• University of Albany (SUNY)

It can be debated that NYC has the best criminal justice college on the planet: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system of schools. But, don’t forget one of the strongest criminal justice schools in the country: University of Albany, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Both John Jay College of Criminal Justice and SUNY Albany rank consistently well in publications such as US News & World Report.

Just so you know, these New York schools are well regarded in academia and the work force.

Share your opinions about the top criminal justice schools in New York. See how I picked these top schools at the Best Criminal Justice Schools and Colleges page.

Radek, what are the best criminal justice schools in Pennsylvania?

Besides the top criminal justice schools, Pennsylvania has some of the best colleges and universities in the country. It was quite easy to find the top criminal justice colleges and universities in PA, so check them out.

Best Criminal Justice Schools in PA

• Pennsylvania State University
• Temple University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Villanova University

All four schools are well regarded and share top ranks and accolades in many national and international publications.

Penn State, Temple University and University of PA are ranked as some of the best criminal justice / criminology schools in the US. Oh… and University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League School — just like Harvard, Yale, Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Princeton).

Share your opinions about the top criminal justice schools in Pennsylvania. If you want to see how I picked these top schools please go back to Best Criminal Justice Schools and Colleges page.

Radek, I’m wondering what jobs can I get with a criminal justice degree? Specifically, Associate’s or Bachelor’s criminal justice degree jobs.

What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?

There are quite a few jobs available for those with a criminal justice degree. Careers in criminal justice, ranging from local Police Officers to Sheriff’s Deputies to State Police Officers to FBI Special Agents and DEA Special Agents can be obtained with the help of a criminal justice degree.

There are also great opportunities in the correction system, like jails and prisons.

For the sake of this article, “criminal justice field” encompasses sub-fields, like: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Also, check out this resource with a slew of Criminal Justice Careers.

If you think that criminal justice is the only degree that will get you hired, you might be surprised to find it’s not. Many people are not aware that law enforcement agencies – small, medium, and large – look for a diverse workforce. Can you imagine working somewhere where everyone has only one type of a degree? How innovative and diverse would that be? Right?

Some popular majors sought after in the law enforcement community are: Criminal Justice, Business, Finance, Law (law school graduates), Accounting, Sociology, Forensic Science, Information Technology and Engineering… and that’s just scratching the surface.

A degree in criminal justice will less likely secure a position outside of law enforcement and corrections (sub-fields of the criminal justice field). When compared with law enforcement jobs, one would have to pursue graduate studies in Criminal Justice / Criminology in order to pursue these rarer opportunities:

• Research Assistant
• Teacher
• College Instructor (minimum of a Master’s degree)
• Professor (PhD preferred)

If you’re looking for Forensic, CSI, and medical careers in the criminal justice system you should check out the Criminal Justice Careers page, but be forewarned that a CJ degree will not be the path to salvation when looking for work in these sub-fields.

I hope you’ve noticed that I mentioned the compatibility of a criminal justice degree with law enforcement so much throughout this blog post, as opposed to the whole criminal justice field. The reason is that a graduate with a criminal justice degree will only have a limited potential of obtaining work after graduation; that’s usually in Law Enforcement and Corrections, with limited opportunities across academia and other criminal justice career paths. Unless you have graduate coursework under your belt, the marketability of this degree outside of the criminal justice field is nearly nonexistent.

Bonus: A Criminal Justice Degree May Not Be Needed At All! — I know that got your attention… And, don’t forget to share your thoughts below.

Reader emails and comments: Radek, what about best criminal justice schools in Texas?

I guess it’s time to start messing with Texas…

Texas has some of the best schools in America, and it certainly has a share of best Criminal Justice schools in the United States. Texas, being as big as it is, has quite a few higher learning institutions, but only a few of the schools can make the list of being the best in TX.

Best Criminal Justice Schools in Texas

• Sam Houston State University
• Texas State University (San Marcos)
• University of Texas (Arlington)

Sam Houston State University was ranked by US News & World Report and boasts one of the best criminology programs in the country.

I also heard that University of Texas (Austin), University of North Texas, and Texas A&M University (College Station) may be worth a look at, too — the last three schools may not have a direct Criminal Justice or Criminology program, but may have great programs that are related, like: Homeland Security, Sociology, Emergency Management, and Public Administration.

The Texas schools listed are well regarded in academia and the work force.

Share your opinions about the top criminal justice schools in Texas. If you want to see how I picked these top schools please go back to Best Criminal Justice Schools and Colleges page.

University of California, Irvine is offering an online Master’s degree in Criminology, Law and Society.

I received the news recently from Adrianna Lopez, Assistant Director of the MAS Program at UC’s Irvine Campus.

I was pleasantly surprised, but perplexed why I haven’t found out sooner. Haven’t you heard? UC Irvine’s Criminology Program ranks as one of the best in the nation and has made my Best Criminal Justice Schools in California list.

About The Criminology Program at UCI

Despite the differences between Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program offers a healthy serving of theory and application in both disciplines, and then some.

Courses:

• Introduction to Criminology, Law and Society (One-week class on the UC Irvine campus)
• Legal Institutions and Society
• Police, Courts and Corrections
• Crime and Social Deviance
• Applied Statistics
• Research Methods
• Public Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Organizational Perspectives on the Legal System
• Leadership
• Social Problems, Law and Policy
• Hate Crimes
• White-Collar Crime
• Sentencing and Corrections

Notice: that the first course requires you to come to the UC Irvine campus. Consider this a golden opportunity to meet your peers, professors, and have a feel for what the school is about. Then, you’ll have 99% of your time to study in your pajamas, if you choose to, of course.

Thirteen courses later, you’ll be able to attend the commencement ceremony at the UC Campus, if you want to. Oh, and you’ll have Summers off, too!

The Master’s degree in CLS is designed for working professionals seeking an advanced degree while continuing their full-time jobs.

Tuition

For $10,836 per year, or a total of $21,672 for this 2-year program you’ll be getting a Master’s of Advanced Study (MAS) in Criminology, Law and Society. I think the price for a program of this caliber is more than fair.

In case you’re wondering, the diploma and any transcripts will be the same as the on-campus students get. All you have to worry about is graduating.

Did you know the prestigious Criminology degree program at UC Irvine is, and has been, an online degree program for the past 8 years? I sure didn’t!


That means that UCI doesn’t have an on-campus clone and it has been consistently ranked as one of the best graduate programs in Criminology by US News & World Report, a very respected college ranking guide.

How Do You Benefit?

• Increase your competitive edge for advancement into managerial or supervisory positions.
• Interact with internationally recognized faculty known for their expertise and applied research in CLS.
• Earn a prestigious degree from a top-ranked research university and a nationally ranked department.
• Save time with online learning designed to fit your busy schedule.

*straight from the UCI Criminology, Law and Society MAS Program brochure

How to get in?

Simple, shell out the $70 for the application fee and apply… OK, maybe it’s not that easy.

First you’ll need to have your GRE scores ready. Adrianna informed me there’s no waiver, but don’t worry, the scores are not the only factor considered. Here’s what you need:

• Yes, get your Graduate Record Exam out of the way
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Experience in the field or similar fields, or at least true intent
• Your letters of recommendation and the personal statement may help you if you aren’t on par with any of the last three items
• For more requirements, see the program website or request a brochure

Program & Contact Info

Official Program page: http://clsmas.soceco.uci.edu/
You can also contact Adrianna directly:
email: masinfo@uci.edu
phone: 949-824-5462

If you’re truly interested in the Criminology program from University of California (Irvine), make sure to request a brochure that explains everything you need to know about the program in more detail. However, I wouldn’t wait too long, as the first class starts in September.

Students are admitted only once a year.

Prepare for career advancement into top leadership positions in the criminal justice, legal, and social service systems

I’m wondering if I can become a Police Officer with a DWI? DUI? OVI? OUI? DUID?– 27 emails and comments later, time to write this post…

The answer to whether you can be a law enforcement officer with a DWI or DUI hinges on many factors. First, let’s quickly go over the meaning of each offense.

DWI vs. DUI vs. OVI vs. OUI vs. DUID

• DWI — Driving While Intoxicated
• DUI — Driving Under Influence
• OVI — Operating Vehicle [while] Intoxicated
• OUI — Operating Under Influence
• DUID — Driving Under Influence [of] Drugs

Don’t they all mean the same thing? Yes and no…

1. There are those that say that, except for DUID, all other are often classified as one and the same, but vary because of regional differences / legislature
2. Or some who state that many police departments qualify a DUI, DWI, and so on as either an alcohol or drug related offense (sometimes both, if you were drinking while high or high while drinking)
3. And then, there are some that say that a DUI means driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prescription pills, etc.; while a DWI means driving while intoxicated with alcohol
4. Also, a more realistic explanation of the difference between DUI and DWI is the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) in your system:
   • if your BAC was 0.8 or below, it’s a DUI (in most cases resulting in a fine, jail for the day/night, and car being impounded)
   • if your BAC was 0.8 or more, it’s a DWI (in most cases resulting in a stiffer fine than of a DUI, possible prison time, and car being impounded)
   • this explanation varies from state to state; while some states and jurisdictions may not acknowledge the difference

Classification of whether it was an alcohol or drug related offense is one of the factors that may determine if you are eligible to become a police officer.

It Was Alcohol

If it was an alcohol related DWI / DUI stop, then you still may have a chance of becoming a law enforcement officer, like a Police Officer, Sheriff Deputy, or State Trooper.

How recent was the offense? Was this your first DUI? Did you cause bodily injury or death to others while intoxicated? Did you damage property other than your own? Did you have car insurance? Did you pay for the damages? Do you find yourself needing a drink often / once in a while?– These are only some of the questions you may have to answer during the interview; granted, the police agency will even invite you thus far.

Your chances of becoming a police officer with an alcohol related DUI or DWI, even when expunged, are statistically lower than of a person without such offenses or minor traffic violations. That’s still better than having to explain this…

It Was Drugs

On top of the questions in the alcohol section, you may be asked: What drug(s) were you on when committing the offense? Are you still using? – Of course, there may be way more questions.

Your chances of becoming a police officer with a drug related DUI — DWI — DUID, even when expunged, are way lower than of a person with an alcohol related offense and exponentially lower than compared with an individual without such offenses or minor traffic violations.

Your Life is NOT OVER

While in reality you may get drilled more about your DWI / DUI / OVI / OUI or DUID, than those without such offenses, you still have a shot. Yes, the chances are lower, but don’t write yourself off just yet.

• Some police agencies are much more lenient than others – they will consider all the circumstances surrounding your offense
• Others may be strict, but in dire need of police officers – usually they would deny your application, but this time they may give you a shot after diligent scrutiny
• And, of course, there are the absolutist police departments – zero tolerance policy for all applicants

All this varies through foreseeable factors, like the State the police agency is located in or simply legislature, to the not-so-foreseeable ones, like: individual perspectives and decisions of the panel on the day of your review

No matter what department you apply to, even the one borderline-lenient, you will be asked questions and will be scrutinized. Remember that all law enforcement agencies want the best applicants, so other factors will come into play such as your morals, character, social skills, physical fitness, health, academics, and more.

• The more polished your resume is, the more of a chance you have obtaining a criminal justice career
• The more improved you and your life circumstances are, the higher the chance you may be considered
• The older the DUI / DWI is, the better
• You may need to consider moving to a city, county, or state that has more lenient policies — Don’t worry! You won’t need to move or commute until you get the final offer in writing, granted you pass everything else; including the panel Q&A.
• Some agencies may take candidates with a DUI / DWI offense only on a case by case basis and consider further – more positive – attributes of the potential recruit (like some listed above). There are no guarantees.

Find Out About DUI / DWI Hiring Policies

1. The best and probably the most anonymous place to start is the website of the law enforcement agency. Many medium-sized, or larger, police agencies provide tons of info to potential recruits. DUIs and DWIs criteria may be explained there.
2. Request a recruiting brochure from the agency. Usually you can find one on the website or by calling the agency.
3. You might be able to find out by going to a career fair where the police agency has presence. You can ask a representative on the policies and still remain fairly anonymous. These career fairs or open houses do not happen often (once a year, usually) and are very often located at colleges and universities, police departments, although they may be convening in larger convention centers, too.
4. Call the agency in question and try asking over the phone — don’t dial 911, like one of my readers did — you may also try contacting the human resources department of the agency if the general info line doesn’t pay off
5. Ask a police officer next time you see him or her at a local diner; or next time you try to explain yourself from a speeding ticket; also consider going to the police department itself and flat out asking.

If you don’t find out, you won’t know!

If you work for a law enforcement agency and know how alcohol and drug related DUI / DWI offenses are handled in your city, county, or state, — and how they may affect potential police officers — please shed some light in the comments section below. Thanks.

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!

And.. Criminal Justice Degree, College, and Career Blog gets a warm welcome on the “20 Blogs Criminal Justice Students Will Love” at spot #1. It’s an honor to be on Rasmussen College’s list featuring some of the best criminal justice blogs.

Please check out their informative post and see other great criminal justice resources.

Thank you Rasmussen College. The list looks terrific.