Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree

I'll be finishing my Associates in Criminal Justice, with Central Texas College, soon. (One psych class left) I'd like to turn that into a Bachelor's Degree. I've been looking for days at everything online, it seems. Thankfully I just ran across this forum. I may have gone insane if I hadn't found this site There is awesome info here.

I'd like some opinions on what online universities to consider. Speed and cost are factors. But, I don't want to waste my money on a degree that's a joke. I've been looking at Bellevue University. I haven't seen anything negative about it, but thought the cost was high. I've also looked at Capella University.

Also, it's important that the credits will transfer to other state schools like U of Tennessee. I understand that's not always possible, since UT will ultimately decide what they will or won't accept, but I don't want to spend the time and money for credits that are worthless.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Hi Steve,

Here's a list (not comprehensive) I maintain of regionally accredited CJ degrees;

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/cjdegrees/degrees.html

Not on the list (space restrictions) is Peru State College, which has exceptionally low costs and as a state college would never be questioned;

http://www.peru.edu/online/index.htm#.htm

Is name recognition important?

Also.....generally, regionally accredited schools will accept credits from other RA schools, but it's not set in stone.

 

Thanks for your reply. I looked at your list earlier. It's encouraging to see Bellevue is on your list. I had originally ran across it from the Central Texas site. I'm just starting to learn the difference between NA and RA. This board is priceless. I'm so happy I ended up here before I did something I'd end up regretting.

I will check out Peru State along with others on your list. I'm pondering the importance of name recognition. In Knoxville there is only one name my friend, UT. Thanks

 

If cost is your major concern, I recommend Peru State College and Fort Hays State University. Both are serious bargains which are state schools and RA.

If name recognition is important, I recommend Washington State University, the University of Texas system, and University of Louisville.

EDIT: Those recommendations are for undergraduate programs only.

 

Definitely not Louisville. WOW $739.00 a credit hour. Peru looks pretty good from where I'm sitting.

This is why I liked Bellevue so much, this from their website, "You already have your associate’s degree – or close to 60 credit hours – congratulations! We credit all of that toward the General Education Core Curriculum requirements of your accelerated bachelor’s degree completion program."

Isn't it uncommon that they would use all of my credits? I have not sent transcripts any where yet, but I thought that statement was a good thing, that might save me some bucks in the long haul.

 

Credit transfer policies range from none at all to 120 in the case of Thomas Edison State College. The most common seems to be 60-90, with many accepting 90 credits in transfer; I transferred 90 credits towards my B.A. in a combination of community college, CLEP, DANTES, and portfolio credits so I only had to take 10 courses at my undergrad alma mater.

Also, remember that just having X amount of credits doesn't guarantee transfer, they have to fit in either the program requirements or general education core. However, having an Associate's in CJ pretty much guarantees that all 60 will transfer, because there are the "free electives" at the Bachelor's level which can be credits in literally any subject. My CPR certification earned me 1 credit in free electives, and my CJIS certification 2 credits.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Bellevue or Peru State, but be sure to check out Fort Hays State also. They have very inexpensive tuition and IIRC they will accept 90 credits in transfer (don't hold me to that).

 

I'm checking out Ft Hays now. The price is certainly good. Seems like it's best to send transcripts and who takes what. Thanks for your help.

 

No problem!

Best of luck, and let us know how you make out.

 

Steve,

When I was looking to complete my B.S. in criminal justice I strongly considered Bellevue due to their liberal credit transfer along with the fact they also awarded credit for prior law enforcement academy training. So, if you are currently a certified law enforcement officer you may only need an additional 36 credits for your degree.

 

Southwestern College

Southwestern College offer a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree completion programme via online delivery. A member of this forum completed their criminal justice degree at Southwestern College.

 

Their tuition rates are good. I will give them a closer look. Thank you.

 

Andrew Jackson University has a flat-rate semester tuition if you register with one of their sponsors. Andrew Jackson University is nationally accredited (DETC) if a non-regionally accredited degree will serve your purposes.