Study Criminal Justice in Georgia

The roots of education run deep in Georgia. Its flagship university is one of the oldest in the nation. And with an extensive network of public colleges and universities spanning the entire state, residents can easily access a higher education.

This is especially true now that online education has become so popular. Not only can you get your criminal justice undergraduate degree online from a Georgia college, but you can also get your graduate degree online if you wish.

The question is, what online criminal justice degrees are the best? This guide offers a look at some of the popular undergraduate and graduate options worth your consideration.

Best Accredited Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Georgia - Criminal Justice Bachelor's, Master's and Associate's Programs in Georgia

Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Georgia

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online criminal justice degrees in Georgia:

  • Georgia State University
  • Middle Georgia State University
  • University of West Georgia
  • Penn State University World Campus
  • Georgia College and State University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • UMass Global
  • Walden University

Georgia State University

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University is a 120-credit program requiring four years of full-time studies to complete. Each class can be completed entirely online, with no campus visits required. Given this flexibility, it might be worth considering taking an extra class each fall and spring semester. Doing so will allow you to finish the degree in 3.5 years or less.

The degree has several types of classes you’re required to take. First, you’ll complete core coursework in essential liberal arts fields. This includes studies in social science, quantitative skills, and communications. You’ll also take classes in science, technology, the arts, and history, to name a few others.

Typically, these classes are completed during your first two years in college. Then, the final two years focus much more on the major-area studies. This degree includes lower-division major courses that you’re likely to complete in the first or second year, such as:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Policing in America
  • Social Science and the American Crime Problem
  • Corrections
  • American Criminal Courts

You’re also required to complete 36 credits of upper-division criminal justice classes. Your studies in this part of the degree offer deep insights into crucial aspects of criminal justice. For example, you’ll take a course on Criminological Theory, which explores the nature of crime, its causes, and different types of crimes and offenses.

You’ll also complete coursework in Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice. This course discusses philosophical theories of ethics and examines their application to law, the court system, and corrections. This class is taken alongside Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Statistical Analyses in Criminal Justice, both of which help you develop strong research skills while also building your ability to be a critical consumer of social research information.

Another 18 hours of coursework is dedicated to your choice of two concentrations: Crime and Justice or Legal Studies. The Crime and Justice track gives you wide latitude for taking courses on legal and criminal justice issues. For example, you might take a course on Criminal Evidence, Criminal Procedure, or Policing and Individual Rights to satisfy the 3-credit legal issues requirement.

Likewise, you might take the following courses to satisfy the 15-credit requirement for criminal justice issues-related studies:

  • Future Crime
  • Community-Based Corrections
  • Cybercrime Investigations
  • Mass Murders
  • Prisons and Jails

If you prefer the Legal Studies concentration, your classes might look a little different. For example, this concentration requires you to take 12 credits of legal issues-related classes, like American Constitutional Law, Politics of International Human Rights, and Wrongful Convictions. You’d then take six more credits focusing on criminal justice issues, like Criminal Justice Policy Analysis, Gender in Criminal Justice, and Crime Typologies.

Georgia State offers a much broader range of classes on legal and criminal justice issues that you can take to satisfy these requirements, too. You can tailor your degree to your specific interests and emerge from the program better prepared for your desired career path.

This program has other requirements, too. For example, you’ll complete a 9-credit internship and field placement that allows you to get first-hand experience working in the criminal justice field. You’re also required to complete at least 21 credits of electives to reach the 120-credit threshold to graduate.

You must meet the following qualifications to apply:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit letters of recommendation and ACT or SAT scores (this is an optional step, though).

Middle Georgia State University

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

At Middle Georgia State University, you can complete a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice entirely online. This 120-credit program prepares you for a range of jobs in this field, including those within police organizations, court systems, and the correctional system. You’ll learn from professors with practical, real-world experience in criminal justice who also have deep academic roots in the theoretical underpinnings of criminal justice studies.

The program’s curriculum is accelerated with eight-week classes. Shortening classes from the traditional 16-week format to a fast-track 8-week format allows you to take fewer classes at a time yet remain on track to complete the program in four years.

As is typical of undergraduate programs, you must complete a core curriculum of liberal arts courses during your first couple of years of studies. As discussed earlier, these classes include studies in math, science, social science, language arts, and other essential areas. In all, you’ll complete 42 credits of core coursework.

You must also complete some basic criminal justice classes before diving too deep into your major studies. These courses, like Introduction to Criminology, Introduction to Criminal Law, and Introduction to Corrections, provide you with a basic understanding of how criminal justice systems work and how they’re interrelated. Each of these classes is lower-division; you must complete at least two other lower-division electives, too.

This program has 24 credits of required courses that explore many different aspects of criminal justice. On the one hand, you’ll take courses like Juvenile Justice System and Delinquency, which gives you insights into the juvenile justice system and prevailing theories of punishment and rehabilitation of young offenders.

On the other hand, you’ll take classes like Research Methods in Criminal Justice, which equips you with the basic skills necessary for conducting independent research in criminal justice. You’ll explore common research methodologies, examine potential research areas, and discuss the importance of social research data, too. Other required major courses include the following:

  • Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • Theories of Criminal Behavior
  • Criminal Procedure and Evidence
  • Police Systems, Practices, and Administration
  • The American Judicial System
  • Criminal Justice Report Writing

Two other coursework components are required to graduate: electives and a capstone experience.

You’ll need at least 12 elective credits to graduate. These credits can come from any upper-division criminal justice class. Additionally, you must complete at least 21 credits of general electives, which can be in any undergraduate field. These classes can be lower-division or upper-division.

The capstone elective is a summative experience in which you reflect on your learning and apply it in some manner. You can choose to do so in an independent study format in which you participate in scholarly research in criminal justice. Alternatively, you can satisfy this requirement by completing an internship during which you observe criminal justice workers and assist them with basic duties in a professional setting.

To apply, be sure you meet the following requirements before applying:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide required documentation of lawful presence in the U.S.
  • Send official ACT or SAT test scores (this is optional, though).

University of West Georgia

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of West Georgia is another high-quality undergraduate option for completing your studies. This interdisciplinary program combines studies in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, and other areas to provide you with a holistic worldview of the criminal justice system.

Like other popular bachelor’s degrees in Georgia, this one uses an accelerated 8-week format that helps you focus your studies on fewer classes at one time. Taking fewer classes can help improve your success in each course, as can the University’s free online tutoring services and personal success coaching.

Another unique feature of this program is the various ways you might earn credit. Aside from taking classes, you can also earn credit via transfer, community work, and professional experiences. Military members can also apply to receive college credit for their training.

This degree requires 120 credits to graduate. Half of those credits are in general education topics like those discussed earlier – math, science, language arts, social sciences, and so forth. You’re required to complete coursework in the following general areas, too:

  • The Arts
  • Communications
  • Foreign Languages
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science

Additionally, you must complete 18 credits of basic criminal justice coursework. For example, you’ll take Introduction to Criminal Justice, which explores the basic history, theories, and principles of the U.S. criminal justice system. You’ll also take Introduction to Law Enforcement to develop an understanding of policing in America, common theories of policing, and potential problems or issues commonly faced by law enforcement officers.

The major-area coursework for this degree is divided into two parts: major core coursework and upper-level electives. The major core coursework includes 21 credits (seven classes) covering a broad range of topics.

For example, you’ll take a Criminal Law class that introduces you to topics in crime and punishment, the rights of the accused, and basic criminal procedure. You’ll also take a class in Criminology, which explores the nexus of crime – why crimes are committed, when and where, and by whom. Other required major core courses include the following:

  • Criminal Procedure
  • Corrections
  • Criminal Justice Research Methodology
  • Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice

A Senior Capstone in criminal justice is another required component within the major core coursework. The capstone is an opportunity to examine what you’ve learned throughout the program, synthesize it, and apply that learning to address a critical research question, topic, or problem in criminal justice.

The remaining 39 credits required to graduate are upper-level electives. With so many electives as part of the curriculum, this program gives you ample opportunities to focus your studies on areas that are of interest to you.

For example, let’s say you’re interested in working as a detective. That being the case, you might take electives like Criminal Investigation I and II and Victimology. But if you’re interested in the administrative or policy side of criminal justice, electives like Police Practices and Issues and Criminal Justice Administration might be more appropriate.

Other electives you might choose to take include the following:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Introduction to Social Justice
  • Politics of Social Justice
  • Development of Criminal Behavior
  • Social Justice Culture

You can apply to the University of West Georgia online at any time. The University is test-optional, meaning you don’t have to submit ACT or SAT scores if you have a 3.2 high school GPA or higher. Other requirements are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.

Penn State University World Campus

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Penn State’s World Campus is a 120-credit program generally takes about four years of full-time study. However, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, either by taking more classes each semester to finish sooner or by studying part-time to suit your schedule.

In this program, you’ll develop crucial skills for the field of criminal justice, including:

  • Solving complex problems related to criminal justice.
  • Analyzing criminal behavior.
  • Assessing the effectiveness of crime control strategies.
  • Explaining the legal foundations of the criminal justice system.
  • Critically evaluating criminal justice research.

The curriculum covers several content areas. Initially, you’ll complete general education classes in writing and speaking, quantification, and natural sciences. You’ll also take introductory courses in arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and health and wellness.

The core of the criminal justice curriculum consists of 24 credits of required courses. These foundational classes cover broad topics essential to the field, such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Policing in America.

Additionally, you’ll take required courses on Courts and the Prosecution Process, Corrections in America, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. You’ll also need to complete research-focused classes, including a statistics course, to learn how to collect, analyze, and report criminal justice data.

You must complete an additional 12 credits of coursework in specialized areas such as Public and Private Policing, Diversity in Criminal Justice, and Special Populations and the Law. Each area offers three or four courses, allowing you to either focus on one area or mix courses from different areas.

For example, if you are interested in diversity issues, you might choose classes like:

  • Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
  • Border Security
  • Race, Crime, and Justice
  • Criminal Law and Procedure

If your interest lies in administrative issues, you might select courses such as:

  • Police Administration
  • Border Security
  • Alternatives to Incarceration
  • The Juvenile Justice System

Elective courses will complete your degree requirements. Penn State offers various electives in criminal justice, enabling you to customize your education according to your interests. For instance, you might concentrate on security management, homeland security, or child welfare.

Additionally, you can earn credit for police training. Penn State may accept up to 16.5 credits from ACT 120, Municipal Police Training, or Pennsylvania State Police training, which can be applied toward the following courses:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Courts and the Prosecution Process
  • Policing in America
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Physical Conditioning
  • First Aid and CPR

To qualify for admission, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Submit high school or GED transcripts.
  • Provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities you’ve attended.
  • Present English proficiency scores if English is not your first language.

Georgia College and State University

Online Master of Criminal Justice

If you’re ready to get an advanced degree, Georgia College and State University offers an online Master of Criminal Justice that might be the perfect fit. This program builds on the education you completed as an undergraduate and focuses your studies on the fields of law enforcement, social services, education, and other related areas.

The online format of this program is ideal if you’re a working professional – especially if you already work in the criminal justice field. The flexibility of online learning doesn’t interfere with your work, and if your day job revolves around criminal justice (e.g., working in law enforcement or corrections), you’ll have a ready-made work experience in which you can apply what you’re learning in the program in your current position.

Of course, the point of getting a master’s degree is to enhance your ability to advance your career, and this graduate program is no different. Over the course of 30 credits of study, you’ll explore various areas of criminal justice, learn targeted skills, and gain essential knowledge that will help you be a more informed and competent worker, no matter the specific application or setting.

The curriculum is divided into numerous parts. You’ll begin by taking three required courses during your first year. These classes include studies in the Criminal Justice System, Criminological Theory, and Criminal Justice Ethics. The foundation you build by completing these classes enables you to continue your studies in expanded areas.

For example, you’re required to take classes in policing, corrections, and the legal system, as well as criminal justice research. To do so, you must take two of the following classes:

  • Police in Society
  • Seminar in Corrections
  • Legal Issues in Criminal Justice

You must also take either Criminal Justice Research Design or Criminal Justice Statistics.

The remaining 12 credits are divided between 9 elective credits and a 3-credit capstone. The only requirement for the electives is that they are 5000 or 6000 level and within the criminal justice field (though you can take non-criminal justice classes with the approval of the program coordinator). Meanwhile, the capstone portion of the program requires you to complete an independent study research project or an internship. The choice is yours regarding which type of capstone is most appropriate for your educational and career goals.

The courses described above are required to complete the public service track. However, you can choose among two other concentration options: Justice Scholar or Law and Public Policy. The Justice Scholar track is ideal if you wish to continue your studies in a Ph.D. program. Likewise, this track prepares you well for a career in criminological research or analytics. However, if you’re interested in a career in law or criminal justice administration, the Law and Public Policy track is likely a better fit.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Have a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
  • Submit official GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores (if your GPA is 2.75-2.99; you do not have to submit test scores if your undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or above).
  • Submit a current resume outlining your relevant work experience.

Is It Worth Getting a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

Here are several factors to consider when determining if a master’s in criminal justice is worth it for you:

Career Advancement

  • Higher-Level Positions: A master’s degree can qualify you for more advanced and higher-paying positions within the criminal justice field. Roles such as senior law enforcement officer, federal agent, criminal justice administrator, and policy analyst often require or prefer candidates with advanced degrees.
  • Specialization: A master’s program allows you to specialize in areas such as criminal justice administration, forensic science, cybersecurity, homeland security, or criminology. Specialization can make you more competitive for specific roles and can lead to career opportunities in niche areas.
  • Leadership and Management: Many master’s programs include coursework in leadership, management, and organizational behavior, which can prepare you for supervisory and administrative roles within criminal justice agencies.

Skill Enhancement

  • Advanced Knowledge and Skills: A master’s degree program provides in-depth knowledge of criminal justice theories, research methods, and advanced analytical techniques. This can enhance your ability to analyze complex issues, develop effective policies, and implement innovative solutions.
  • Research Opportunities: Graduate programs often involve significant research components, allowing you to contribute to the field through original research and to develop strong research skills that are valuable in both academic and professional settings.

Networking and Professional Development

  • Networking Opportunities: Graduate programs provide opportunities to connect with faculty, peers, and professionals in the field. Building a strong professional network can be beneficial for career advancement, mentorship, and job opportunities.
  • Professional Development: Many programs offer internships, practical experiences, and opportunities to attend conferences and workshops. These experiences can enhance your resume and provide hands-on learning opportunities.

Financial Considerations

  • Cost of Education: Graduate education can be expensive. Consider the tuition costs, availability of financial aid, scholarships, and the potential return on investment. Weigh these costs against the potential for increased earnings and career advancement.
  • Earnings Potential: Research the potential salary increase associated with obtaining a master’s degree in your specific area of interest within criminal justice. In many cases, advanced degrees can lead to higher salaries and better benefits.

What are the Career Opportunities for Criminal Justice Graduates in Georgia?

As a criminal justice graduate in Georgia, you’ll encounter a variety of career opportunities tailored to your education and skills. The state offers diverse roles in several sectors, allowing you to apply your knowledge effectively and make a meaningful impact on your community.

In law enforcement, you may consider a career as a police officer or detective in cities like Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta. These roles involve ensuring public safety, conducting criminal investigations, and engaging with the community to address security concerns. Additionally, opportunities with the Georgia State Patrol are available, focusing on statewide traffic enforcement and public safety.

The corrections sector in Georgia provides roles such as correctional officer or probation officer, where you’ll manage individuals in correctional facilities or those on probation. The Georgia Department of Corrections is a significant employer in this field, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and specialization.

In the legal services sector, positions such as paralegal or legal assistant are prevalent in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. These roles require supporting attorneys by conducting legal research, preparing documents, and organizing case files. Furthermore, the Georgia court system, including the Supreme Court of Georgia and various county courts, offers positions like court clerks or bailiffs, assisting in the efficient operation of the judicial process.

Social services offer career options such as social worker or case manager. In these positions, you’ll assist individuals and families in navigating the criminal justice system, providing vital support and resources to those affected by crime.

The private sector in Georgia also offers opportunities in private security and loss prevention, particularly in commercial centers and large retail operations. In these roles, you can work to protect assets and ensure the safety of employees and customers.

Moreover, Georgia provides pathways into federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security, where additional education and training can lead to specialized careers in national security and criminal investigations.

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