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Online Criminal Justice Degree

Online Criminal Justice Degree

About the Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Whether you are interested in starting a career in criminal justice or getting the education you need for your next promotion, Wayne State’s online Criminal Justice degree lets you fit a college education into your busy schedule. Advance your career in the exciting fields of law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, court services, asset protection, corporate and private security, and juvenile justice. The Criminal Justice program at Wayne State covers the basis for understanding the economic, political, legal, and social environments in which the criminal justice process operates, which means you have the flexibility to apply your Criminal Justice degree to a variety of careers.

Do you have credits from another institution? You may transfer up to 66 credit hours toward a degree from WSC. Learn more.

What Students Are Saying: Our alumni and current students have found the convenience, structure, and content of the online Criminal Justice program to be top-notch. See what they have to say.

Sample Program of Study

criminal justice online fact sheet

 

 

Fast Facts

Degrees offered: B.A. or B.S. in criminal justice


Hours required*:
For major: 36
General education: 30
To graduate from WSC: 120
*A minor is also required for this program. View all minors.


Popular minors: Social Sciences, Public Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies (Child and Family Services, Criminology and Offender Behavior), Business Administration, Communication Studies, Pre-Law, Emergency Management


School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice


Department: Criminal Justice


Costs (2023-24 Tuition):
$309 per credit hour
View cost of attendance

First responders and their dependents are entitled to a credit of 100% of tuition charges. Learn more

Recognized for Excellence

Cheapest Online College and University - Intelligent.com

No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 11 in the U.S.

Most Affordable Online School, 2023

Intelligent.com

Scholarships and Aid

In addition to having the region’s most affordable tuition, we offer thousands of dollars in scholarships every year. And, if you're currently a first responder, firefighter, or dependent of a first responder or firefighter, or if you're the dependent of a fallen law enforcement officer or firefighter, you may be eligible for 100% tuition credit. Learn more by visiting the links below:

Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Wayne State College delivers comprehensive online degree programs at a lower cost than area schools and well-known online colleges. And with a flat rate for residents and non-residents, you can’t beat our value!

Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Wayne State College delivers comprehensive online degree programs at a lower cost than area schools and well-known online colleges. And with a flat rate for residents and non-residents, you can’t beat our value!

Flat rate$309.00Wayne State CollegeFlat rate$325.00LSU OnlineResident$328.25University of Nebraska-KearneyFlat rate$330.00Southern New Hampshire UniversityResident$332.25University of Nebraska-OmahaFlat rate$371.00Purdue GlobalFlat rate$449.00Bellevue University

Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Wayne State College delivers comprehensive online degree programs at a lower cost than area schools and well-known online colleges. And with a flat rate for residents and non-residents, you can’t beat our value!

Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Wayne State College delivers comprehensive online degree programs at a lower cost than area schools and well-known online colleges. And with a flat rate for residents and non-residents, you can’t beat our value!

Flat rate$309.00Wayne State CollegeFlat rate$325.00LSU OnlineResident$328.25University of Nebraska-KearneyFlat rate$330.00Southern New Hampshire UniversityResident$332.25University of Nebraska-OmahaFlat rate$371.00Purdue GlobalFlat rate$449.00Bellevue University

Learn From the Best

Our faculty are accomplished. Several are highly regarded as experts and have been recognized with notable honors and awards. And with a low student-to-faculty ratio, you'll be sure to receive an excellent education in the online criminal justice degree program.

Our Focus is Results

Wayne State has the keys to your success and offers just what you need to become well prepared for the real world in the online criminal justice degree program.

online criminal justice skills

Skills Learned

  • Criminal law and constitutional rights
  • Role and function of police and law enforcement
  • Correctional processes and probationary concepts
  • Criminology theories and understanding criminal behavior
  • Forensic crime scene investigation
  • Security and loss prevention
  • Homeland security and the nature of terrorism
  • Research methods in social science
  • Oral and written communication
  • Time management and organization

online criminal justice degree careers

Possible Careers

  • Police officer / sheriff
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Fraud investigator
  • Anti-terrorism agent
  • Correctional officer
  • Probation/parole officer
  • Border patrol agent
  • Immigration specialist
  • Case manager
  • Lawyer / attorney
  • Paralegal
  • Youth support worker
  • Child protection agent
  • Private and corporate security
  • Emergency management

criminal justice online degree employers

Employers

  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Federal agencies
  • Anti-terrorism units
  • Probation offices
  • Correctional facilities
  • Security companies
  • Child protective services
  • Immigration services
  • Crime scene labs
  • Law firms
  • Social services
Keith Jorgensen

Wayne State College’s criminal justice program prepared me very well for life after college. The education I received in the program helped set me apart from other applicants in the hiring process and helped me perform well during the academic portion of the police academy. I use pieces of what I learned at Wayne State College on a daily basis as a law enforcement officer, from writing reports to conducting investigations. I am confident that Wayne State College can prepare you for the career you are seeking in the criminal justice field.”

 

Keith Jorgensen '14

Deputy Sheriff, Pierce County (Nebraska)

Criminal Justice Organizations

At Wayne State College, you’ll have opportunities to enhance your education in the online criminal justice degree program by participating in clubs and organizations.

criminal justice colleges in nebraska - student activities

Wayne State Criminal Justice Association (WSCJA)

WSCJA is a large and active student club available to all criminal justice majors and minors. Recent activities have included field trips to the federal penitentiary in Colorado, Lincoln Correctional Penitentiary, and the Kansas City Police Department. Students were invited to observe Nebraska parole hearings and interview a prison inmate on death row.  The club sponsors field trips, speakers and public service activities. For information, please contact Dr. Jason Karsky at 402-375-7139 or at [email protected].

criminal justice colleges in nebraska - student activities

Alpha Phi Sigma

Alpha Phi Sigma is a criminal justice honorary, which encourages academic excellence, social service, student support, and the development of leadership skills for criminal justice majors. Requirements for membership include 42 hours of course work completed, a 3.2 GPA overall, a 3.2 GPA in the Criminal Justice major, and ranking in the top 35% of the class. For information, please contact Dr. Lisa Wanek at 402-375-7173 or at [email protected].

Take the Next Step

Take the Next Step