Expand Your Career Options With These Online Criminal Justice Programs

Master’s students can simultaneously earn a specialized certificate to further enhance their professional opportunities

Committing to higher education is an admirable decision, particularly for law enforcement officers who are busy juggling a full-time work schedule. However, earning a college degree is more achievable than it used to be, thanks to online education.

While many online options have been available for some time, the University of Cincinnati Online has distinguished itself as one of the best U.S. online higher education institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its courses are taught by faculty with over 20 years of expertise in delivering online education.

The University of Cincinnati Online offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in criminal justice, along with three specialized certificates. Unlike other online programs, the University of Cincinnati Online provides an entirely remote experience with zero mandatory campus visits – not even for a graduation ceremony, unless desired.

The curriculum for the criminal justice programs and certificates is asynchronous, allowing students to complete the material at a pace that works best with their schedules. Individuals can access class material anytime, making it particularly easy for those working evening and graveyard shifts to finish coursework without interrupting their careers.

A Powerful Education

University of Cincinnati Online’s criminal justice programs is designed for individuals looking to enhance their career options within law enforcement and other related fields. Many of its students already work in the law enforcement field and see earning a degree as a path towards a promotion or leadership opportunities.

When creating the criminal justice curriculum, UC Online paid careful attention to developing programs that provide the comprehensive education one would expect from a top-ranked institution.

“I think in recent years, the notion that online degrees are not as powerful has been dispelled,” said Matt Jacobsen, strategic marketing manager at the University of Cincinnati Online. “Students want to ensure that the quality of the degree they’re earning online is as good, if not better than what they could get on campus.”

To achieve this goal, UC Online employs the same faculty for its online programs as its on-campus classes. The criminal justice faculty on the undergraduate and graduate teams feature multiple award winners with large bodies of published work.

Many Options to Choose From

The program offers multiple pathways for law enforcement officers who want to expand their education, with some requiring a longer commitment than others.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is obtained by completing 120-semester credits. Many students enroll with incoming credits that can be applied to their degree, and UC Online offers experiential credit for those with career experience. Students who already hold an undergraduate degree can enroll in the master’s program and receive their degree after completing 33-semester credits.

Law enforcement officers who want to focus on a particular area of expertise can also choose between three different criminal justice certificates as a stand-alone option. However, master’s students who complete their program in full will find that they can expand their credentials even further without any additional effort or tuition.

“Almost every one of our master’s students graduates with the correct credit hours to earn at least one of these certificates,” said Jacobsen.

Each certificate option provides added value, with a curriculum that varies to focus on specific areas of law enforcement:

• The Crime Analysis and Prevention certificate examines the fundamentals of crime prevention, including a discussion of basic theories, crime mapping, police effectiveness, and advanced crime analysis techniques. An understanding of statistics is required, and several electives focus heavily on using various types of software.
• The Analysis of Criminal Behavior certificate is centered around different criminal offenders and details various forms of criminal behavior, including cybercrime, terrorism, and white-collar crime. The juvenile justice system is covered, as well as biosocial factors contributing to serial offending.
• The Correctional Rehabilitation certificate explores the rehabilitation and treatment of criminal offenders while paying attention to community corrections theories, practices, and considerations of special populations. A variety of electives are available, including classes with an emphasis on responsiveness, staff effectiveness, and behavior management.

Increased Career Opportunities

A career in law enforcement is unique in many ways. Advancing within this profession often means deciding between two traditional options – working up the career ladder over time or engaging in higher education to move more quickly up the ranks.

With a degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati Online, law enforcement professionals can take advantage of advanced opportunities earlier in their careers. In addition, desirable positions requiring a degree become more attainable after completing a criminal justice program, and opportunities that hinge on specialized knowledge are easier to achieve with a specific curriculum like that of UC’s certificate programs.

It is no longer necessary to spend years on the job to acquire industry knowledge and wait for a promotion. Thanks to programs like UC Online, law enforcement officers can engage in education that complements their real-life experience and provides a pathway to greater success.

Learn More About UC’s online Criminal Justice Programs and apply today.

This article was originally published on Police1.com.