Whats the best online college / university?

I'm looking to get a criminal justice degree online -- anyone have any recommendations for which online university is the best? There seem to be about a billion of them now a days, and I just want an employer to take me seriously.... if that's even possible with an online degree. This site seemed to have some good choices, but I mean aside from tuition costs, what are you really looking for in online schools? Link removed by MOD
I'm thinking about maybe Phoenix?

 

Why Phoenix? There are now at least a zillion state schools that offer online criminal justice degrees. If you are looking for an online degree program that won't raise any eyebrows from potential employers, stick with a state school.

 

Of course it is possible and happens everyday. It is not so much how the degree was earned but where it was earned and what knowledge and experience you demonstrate. If you want a degree that is not taken too serious, go with Phoenix.

 

I agree with Randell. I am not sure what link you had in there but if your talking about going to University of Phoenix then seriously pick another school. There are a ton of CJ programs out there and if you do a search on this board you will come up with a thread that has a pretty good list.

My recommendation and others might change based on what you hope to do with the degree. So tell me and others a little more of what you want to do with the degree and then I can recommend a few schools for you.

 

Next to wasting money on a crappy online school, wasting money on a crappy degree is number 1A. Whatcha need a CJ degree for? Pick another school. State school near you with a good reputation, online if that's all you can do, but if you can... do in person courses (and most people are dishonest about it when they can't) and get the most out of it that you can.

 

I learned this a long time ago. Either you are worth being taken seriously or not, there is not some kind of human worth ranking that puts value on you other than the one you put on yourself. Do a lot of research and find the school that is right for you, this board is a good place to start but make the decision for you after you have gathered a lot of facts.

 

The link was removed that pointed another site - not UoP. Perhaps I removed it in haste :scratchchin:

 

I'm halfway through a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership at Northeastern University (Boston, MA) which is a tier 1 researched based university with a very solid reputation. NEU's online programs are strong and put together really well. I would highly recommend looking into NEU further.

 

Though the OP hasn’t disclosed the level of CJ degree (bachelor or master) seeking; here are a few (there are certainly others) better regarded CJ university programs and their online offerings:

University of Cincinnati: MSCJ
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice | Masters in Criminal Justice - University of Cincinnati

Sam Houston State University: BSCJ
SHSU Online: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Sam Houston State University: MS in CJ Leadership and Management
CJ Leadership & Management - Online - Graduate Studies - Sam Houston State University

UMass-Amherst: BACJ
BA, Criminal Justice Concentrations - UMassOnline.net

UMass-Lowell: MACJ
MA Criminal Justice - UMassOnline.net

 

First I would suggest keeping your options open until you fully do your research. Only thing we can do is suggest some programs to look at. With that said every program is going to be different and one particular program might fit one person but you might now like it. I would also urge you to give us a little more info in what you might be looking for (graduate degree or undergrad). If you want to be "taken seriously" I would consider a school that is not known for only being online (ie. Uop). Many employers might not care as long as the degree is accredited. But to close all possible limitations I would consider a non online marketed school.

For a recommendation for undegrad look at Western New Mexico University's Criminal Justice degree. For masters look at the above posts.

 

You need to be more specific about what you mean when you say "best." Most prestigious? Cheapest? Most flexible (self-paced, etc.) You are right when you say that there are many choices. CJ is an area that many schools have developed. I would recommend that it's worth taking some time now to do a lot of research (including reading every CJ thread at degreeinfo) on all your choices so that when the real work begins you can remind yourself that you made the best choice for you.

 

I agree with what has been said by several. There are many good options so why choose a University of Phoenix degree that is both expensive and not to well regarded. I cannot count the number of times I have heard someone make negative remarks about the UofP (not to the face of the UofP grad but behind their back). I think one of the mods is very familiar with online CJ programs and hopefully will post.