On-Campus vs. Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Differences and Benefits
Differences between On-Campus and Online Criminal Justice Programs

The ability to review or re-review recorded lectures at times convenient to you is a perk of online programs that is not often found in traditional on-campus courses. However, in order to succeed in an online course you must be motivated and follow a schedule that allows you to participate in your virtual class while meeting assignment due dates as designated by the instructor. Since regular reminders about due dates and requirements in an online class tend to be less frequent than in a traditional classroom, this also requires strong organizational skills.

While there are many specialization options in criminal justice, not all online programs offer the same specializations and majors as their on-campus counterparts. This is particularly likely to be true in specializations that require hands-on work, like forensics. However, many students choose to earn a bachelor’s degree online in a related major before taking an on-campus certification course or even pursuing a master’s degree. The combination that works for you will depend on your career goals and your plans for further higher education.

Additionally, while online courses offer a variety of ways to interact with your professors and peers, this interaction will take place either mostly or entirely in a virtual environment — meaning you also must have a personal computer with up-to-date hardware and software, as well as reliable internet access. While this helps develop technical and communication skills that are highly valued by employers, fully online learning might not be the best fit for those who learn best with face-to-face interaction and hands-on demonstration. However, if you need the flexibility of an online program as well as some hands-on experience, a hybrid online degree can be a fitting alternative.

Benefits of Studying Criminal Justice Online
Earning your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice online can offer a number of benefits aside from the potential for career advancement. For example, many schools offer in-state tuition or tuition discounts to students living out-of-state who study fully online — plus, studying at an out-of-state school online means that you don’t have to relocate to attend the program that best fits your needs.


Distance learning programs can offer flexibility for those who are working part-time or even full-time during the school year. Courses in an online program are frequently offered in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can attend “class” via pre-recorded webinars or lectures at any time during the week. While asynchronous courses still have due dates for assignments just like a traditional, on-campus class, the increased ability for online students to schedule around work and other commitments does have its perks.

Online programs may include accelerated class schedules, which can reduce the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree compared to traditional on-campus study. Many online programs offer courses in eight-week formats that carry the same number of credits as traditional, semester-based courses. Online programs also typically provide summer courses that can further accelerate your degree progress. If you have already earned college credits or even an associate’s degree from another accredited institution, many online programs have generous transfer credit policies that can allow your previously earned credits to count towards your bachelor’s degree.