I am new to this forum and searching have found several threads with regards to Criminal Justice degree programs. I have decided to write this thread not to discount any previous responses to this question but rather to receive an opinion from anybody willing to write one, I mean no disrespect to those of you that have answered this same question I’m sure a thousand times. I am currently searching for an Associates Degree program in criminal justice. I am currently certified by my state of residence as a police officer and part of that certification requires that I attain a minimum of 60 college credits or an associate’s degree in criminal justice within 5 years of appointment. I have contacted many of my local community colleges and tech schools with regards to their degree programs and have found that for the most part my work schedule will not allow for attendance. I work 2nd shift but often get caught working in to 3rd shift and then having to get up in the morning and go to charging conferences. Recently my search for schooling has led me to look into Distance Education as a viable option. I have looked at Thompson’s Education Direct and Ashworth College (PCDI). They both appear to be similarly accredited by DETC and ACE. Both seem to have roughly the same course outline and cost is relatively the same, Education Direct seems to have been doing this for a little longer though. Self-advancement is important to me and I plan on completing a Bachelors degree program as well. This raises the concern of accreditation? As I mentioned I am new but I think that I have picked up on the difference between RA and NA schools, but in my case my options are limited. I am looking for a learning institution that I can receive competent thought provoking material from, all while being low cost or shall I say “price effective” and be able to further my education with transfer of credits from either Ashworth or Education Direct. I cannot seem to get a straight answer from my state university they tell me that “it’s something that we will have to talk to us about when I comes time for you to enroll with us”. Thompson and Ashworth tell me that it is completely up to each individual college on whether they accept the credits or not. I think I have rambled on enough. The short of it is I need opinions from anyone willing to talk about it, this is a very important decision to me and I want to make an informed one that fits my best interests. In searching this site I have been impressed with the responses, and discussion topics. Everyone seems very thoughtful and helpful and I look forward to further correspondence. Thanks again!!!!
Well, if you tell us what state you reside in.... Maybe we can advise you a school in your state. The tuition is cheapter. You can try Excelsior College; which most of your general education by taking CLEP, DANTES, and ECE. These school came from my mind, but you can check with Petersons' Distance Education Database or DegreeInfo's School Feature for more information. NEW YORK State University of New York. SUNY Learning Network Excelsior College UTAH Weber State University - Online INDIANA - Indiana State University OREGON - Eastern Oregon University WASHINGTON - Washington State University Domestic - University of Phoenix - Online More go to: http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning BWT...don't give me a ticket if you see my on the road. I am an overspeed limited driver. Semper Fi (Do or Die), Tekman
There is a large selection of DL criminal justice degrees at almost all levels. Here are some at the associate level: Central Texas College Herkimer County Comm College Kaplan College Pikes Peak Comm College Security Herkimer County Comm College UMUC
Excelsior College's Criminal Justice Program Hi, I too am a cop, so I fully understand working the crazy hours (and how it prevents us from going to school). With that in mind, IMO, your best bet is Excelsior College's criminal justice program. Here is a direct link: http://www.excelsior.edu/bscj.htm This is a good program because: You can get your previous LE training "evaluated" and turned into college credits. You can "test out" of certain subjects, thus getting college credits. You simply have to buy a review-book to prep yourself so you can pass the test. Excelsior will "assimilate" your hodgepodge of stuff into a mass of college credits, or even into a degree!!!
Here are some undergrad CJ programs...many offer Associate's degrees also; Bellevue http://www.bellevue.edu/Online/programs/cja.html Excelsior http://www.excelsior.edu/bscj.htm Fort Hays http://www.fhsu.edu/polisci/js/ Mountain State http://www.mountainstate.edu/degree_programs/details.aspx?program=Criminal%20Justice&ID=Criminal%20Justice National http://online.nu.edu/index.real?action=degrees&subaction=justice_bach NYIT http://www.nyit.edu/academics/online/online_degrees.html Phoenix http://online.phoenix.edu/CampusProgramDescript.asp?program=BSCJA Roger Williams http://www.rwu.edu/Academics/Academic+Programs/Continuing+Education/Open+College/Distance+Learning.htm St. Joes http://www.sjcme.edu/gpsnew/prospective/crimjustice_bs.html?l1=2&l2=2&l3=3&l4=0 St. Leo http://www.saintleo.edu/col/Advising/degrees.cfm TESC http://www.tesc.edu/prospective/undergraduate/degree/bshus.php U of Phoenix http://online.phoenix.edu/CampusProgramDescript.asp?program=BSCJA U Texas http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu/programs/criminal/criminal.html Wash State http://distance.wsu.edu/degrees/
And Don't forget! Bismarck (North Dakota) State College http://www.bsc.nodak.edu/online/justice2.asp Reasonable tuition - AA or AS in CJ and many (most?) courses available online! --Orson
Utah criminal justice collaborative degree. $105.50 per s/h. 20 elective credits (AAS) or 12 elective credits (AS) granted for POST training. Tony