School of Criminal Justice 

Imagine having a professional career you are proud of and look forward to each day. Choosing the right academic program is the first step toward achieving that goal. Furthering your education can also increase your earning potential—rewarding you with higher paychecks throughout your future career.

 

Employers in the fields of criminal justice, law enforcement, and security seek job applicants who are prepared to hit the ground running. The online programs offered at Kaplan University School of Criminal Justice are designed to equip you with current knowledge and skills that will help you stand out to employers. Earning a degree or professional certificate online at Kaplan University can help you qualify for entry-level employment or career advancement.* Use the program comparison chart below to explore your options and determine which Kaplan University program is right for you.

 

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Master

Credits

Who

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Emphasis Areas:

Law, Global Issues in Criminal Justice, Leadership and Executive Management, Corrections and Policing

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55

9 to 18 months full-time or 24 to 33 months part-time

If you currently hold a bachelor's degree and want to advance your criminal justice career with a master's degree, this program is for you. An advanced criminal justice background opens high-level career opportunities in law enforcement, security, court systems, education, and training.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Law enforcement
Court systems
Education and training
Security

Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

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55

9 to 18 months full-time or 24 to 33 months part-time

If you currently hold a bachelor's degree and want to pursue an important career protecting the security and safety of our country, consider this program. An advanced degree could help you pursue high-level career opportunities in federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Management-level positions in the areas of:
    Emergency preparedness and response
    Border and transportation security
    Homeland defense
    Emergency management
    Hazard mitigation

Bachelor

Credits

Who

Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Emphasis Areas:

Forensic Psychology, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Homeland Security, Computer Crime, Crime Scene Investigation, and Juvenile Justices

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90*

As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you currently hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and want to advance or change to a criminal justice career with a bachelor's degree, this program is for you. A criminal justice background opens career opportunities in corporate security, public safety, loss prevention and private protective services, investigation, and juvenile justice.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Corrections officer
State parks officer
State highway officer
Private investigator
Security expert
Disaster relief provider

Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Management

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As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you have earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and are interested in pursuing a criminal justice management position, consider this program. This baccalaureate program includes a variety of management courses that are designed to help you critically evaluate and respond to challenges as a leader in a criminal justice organization.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Law enforcement supervisor or manager
    Security manager
    Parole administrator
    Corrections supervisor or manager
    Law enforcement systems analyst

Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management

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90*

As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you have earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and are and emergency services personnel interested in developing your administrative and management knowledge, this program may be for you. This program can also help prepare students to face new challenges in technology, human resource management, and fiscal responsibility.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Chief and mid-level fire service personnel
Emergency planners
Emergency program managers or directors

Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Fire Science

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90*

As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you currently hold an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and are looking to enhance your career in fire services, the advanced start program may be for you. The Bachelor of Science in Fire Science prepares graduates to pursue or enhance a career in the fire services industry.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Firefighter
    Fire inspectors
    Fire investigators
    First line supervisors
    Managers of firefighters

Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in International and Comparative Criminal Justice

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90

As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you have earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and are interested in studying international and comparative criminal justice procedures and investigations, consider this program. Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating policy recommendations, planning, procedural design, emerging trends, and preventative approaches to transnational crime.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Special agent
Intelligence research specialist
Collection management officer
Counterterrorism analyst
Protective agent

Advanced Start Fire and Emergency Management Bachelor of Science

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90

As little as 2 years (full-time)

If you earned an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and you are interested in developing your administrative and management knowledge as well as occupational and life safety awareness, this program is for you.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Chief and mid-level fire service personnel
    Emergency planners
    Emergency program managers or directors

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Emphasis Areas:

Forensic Psychology, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Homeland Security, Computer Crime, Crime Scene Investigation, and Juvenile Justice

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

180

4 years or less (full-time)

Those seeking employment in law enforcement, corrections, probation, or parole or those who want to advance their current criminal justice career with a bachelor’s degree should consider this program. A criminal justice background may open career opportunities in corporate security, public safety, loss prevention and private protective services, or investigation. If you want to further your studies and pursue a graduate-level degree, this program also offers an accelerated master’s degree option.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Corrections officer
State parks officer
State highway officer
Private investigator
Security expert
Disaster relief provider

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Management

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

4 years or less (full-time)

If you are interested in pursuing a criminal justice management position, consider this program. This baccalaureate program includes a variety of management courses that are designed to help you critically evaluate and respond to challenges as a leader in a criminal justice organization. If you want to further your studies and pursue a graduate-level degree, this program also offers an accelerated master’s degree option.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Law enforcement supervisor or manager
    Security manager
    Parole administrator
    Corrections supervisor or manager
    Law enforcement systems analyst

Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

180

4 years or less (full-time)

This degree program is designed for those emergency services personnel who want to increase their administrative and management knowledge as well as occupational and life safety awareness. Graduates could pursue managerial positions and leadership roles in fire and emergency services organizations, emergency medical service, and emergency preparedness agencies. If you want to further your studies and pursue a graduate-level degree, this program also offers an accelerated master’s degree option.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Chief and mid-level fire service personnel
Emergency planner
Emergency program manager or director

Bachelor of Science in Fire Science

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

180

4 years or less (full-time)

If you are interested in advancing your career in fire services or pursuing a career in the field, Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Fire Science may be the right choice for you. This degree program serves fire service professionals seeking enhanced skills and a broad spectrum of knowledge in the field of fire science. If you want to further your studies and pursue a graduate-level degree, this program also offers an accelerated master’s degree option.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Firefighter
    Fire inspector
    Fire investigator
    First-line supervisor
    Manager of firefighters

Bachelor of Science in International and Comparative Criminal Justice

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

180

4 years or less (full-time)

If you are interested in studying international and comparative criminal justice procedures and investigations, consider this program. Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating policy recommendations, planning, procedural design, emerging trends, and preventative approaches to transnational crime. If you want to further your studies and pursue a graduate-level degree, this program also offers an accelerated master’s degree option.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Special agent
Intelligence research specialist
Collection management officer
Counterterrorism analyst
Protective agent

Associates

Credits

Who

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

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90

As little as 12 months and up to 2 years (full-time)

Those seeking job opportunities in a police department or correctional facility should consider this program. This two-year degree offers students a solid foundation in criminal justice, as well as the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree later. Students may have prior work experience or courses that can be counted as credit toward their degree.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Corrections officer
State parks officer
State highway officer
Private investigator
Security expert
Disaster relief provider

Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Get more information on this program Apply online to this program

90

As little as 12 months and up to 2 years (full-time)

If you are looking to pursue opportunities in firefighter safety, strategy, and tactics, you should consider this program. This degree program serves fire service professionals seeking enhanced skills and knowledge in the field of fire science and is modeled on the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) national curriculum.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Firefighters
    Fire inspectors
    Fire investigators
    First line supervisors
    Managers of firefighting

Professional

Credits

Who

Corrections Certificate

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36

To begin your career in corrections, or if you are already working in corrections and need to meet certain regulatory requirements of continuing education, take this program. You can transfer the credits you earn to other Kaplan University degree programs.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Local corrections facilities
State corrections facilities
Federal corrections facilities

Crime Scene Technician Certificate

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44

If you have a keen eye, an analytical mind, and a dedication to cracking the case, the crime scene technician profession is for you. Our program is designed for those just starting their careers, or for individuals changing careers from allied health, law, and science fields.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Law enforcement agencies
    Medical examiners' offices
    Laboratories
    Insurance companies
    Large law firms

Management and Supervision Certificate in Criminal Justice

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36

If you wish to seek a more responsible position in the criminal justice field, this program is a great place to start. If you have an associate's degree, or if you can provide proof of employment in the law enforcement or the military during the past 18 months, you're ready to begin.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

Correctional management
Federal or state law enforcement
Loss prevention management
Child welfare services.

Private Security Certificate

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53

5 quarters or 15 months

If you wish to increase your knowledge of corporate security, fraud examination, and risk management and prepare yourself for work in private security, start here. You can transfer credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate to other Kaplan University degree programs.

Graduates of this program may pursue these career opportunities:

    Correctional management
    Federal or state law enforcement
    Loss prevention management
    Child welfare services
  
*Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all. Download our University Catalog to explore program details.