Fastest Criminal Justice Degrees 2025

While a degree isn't always necessary to work as a police officer, other careers in criminal justice may require it. Additionally, some law enforcement agencies, especially federal agencies like the FBI, require at least a bachelor's degree.

Degrees can also help you with career advancement, but the thought of pursuing a degree for a few years can be difficult to accept. Luckily, several programs in the U.S. offer an accelerated way to learn the basics of criminal investigation and law enforcement. Keep reading to discover some of the fastest criminal justice degrees for 2025.

Fastest Criminal Justice Degree Programs in the U.S.

Several colleges and universities offer accelerated criminal justice bachelor's degrees. Some do this by offering shorter terms or year-round courses, while others do this by accepting a high number of transfer credits.

Most accelerated criminal justice degrees are online programs, but some are in-person as well. Below, we've listed some of the fastest in-person and online criminal justice degrees.

1. Ball State University

Ball State University is a public research university in Muncie, IN. It offers an accelerated criminal justice and criminology major on campus and online that can be earned as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. Both include coursework that covers topics like:

• criminal law
• decision-making and ethics in criminal justice
• juvenile justice and delinquency
• research methods in criminal justice

The on-campus degree is one of the university's ''Degree in 3'' programs, which allows students to earn their degree in three years by taking courses over the summer. The online program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits.

2. DeSales University

DeSales University is a private Catholic university in Center Valley, PA. It offers an accelerated program in criminal justice that can be completed on campus or online.

Two tracks are available: criminal justice intelligence and criminal justice rehabilitation. Courses are offered in an accelerated format and the university accepts up to 75 transfer credit hours and also offers credit for prior learning assessments.

3. Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university in University Park, FL. It offers a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice online and on campus.

The university accepts up to 90 transfer credits, so your previous coursework won't be wasted. Courses are offered in the fall, spring, and summer, allowing students to finish more quickly if they prefer.

4. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University is a public university system based in Pennsylvania. It offers a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice online through its World Campus as well as on-campus criminal justice degree completion programs.

The online degree is self-paced, meaning students can complete it as quickly as they would like. The on-campus program is specifically designed for transfer students, and an accelerated bachelor's to master's degree program is also available.

5. San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a public research university in San Diego, CA. It offers a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice online degree completion program.

The program explores the complex relationship between criminal justice and social justice. Depending on how many credits you transfer, you may be able to complete the program in as few as 15 months.

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university in Manchester, NH. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with multiple concentrations, including:

• criminology and crime analysis
• human services and advocacy
• police administration and operations
• substance abuse

Students at SNHU can transfer in up to 90 credits. There are also multiple start dates each year, and courses run in the summer as well, allowing you to start and finish your degree faster.

7. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the University System of Maryland. It offers an online bachelor's degree that allows student to gain an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system.

Students can transfer up to 90 credits of the 120 required credits. Additionally, the university offers credit hours for prior learning experiences and an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program.

8. University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public research university in Lowell, MA. It offers an online criminal justice program where students develop a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement, corrections, and the court system while building critical thinking, communication, and creativity skills.

Students can transfer up to 90 college credits, allowing them to finish the program in as little as 12 months. The university also offers an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree program.

9. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND. It offers a criminal justice studies bachelor's program that covers the fundamentals of the criminal justice field through self-paced online courses.

Two accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree programs are also available: a five-year bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice, and a six-year bachelor's degree in criminal justice to Juris Doctorate program.

10. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman, OK. It offers an online criminal justice degree completion program.

Depending on the amount of transfer credits you have, you may be able to complete this degree in as few as 18 months. The university has rolling admissions and sessions in the fall, spring, and summer.

FAQs About the Fastest Criminal Justice Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the fastest criminal justice programs.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?

There are several criminal justice careers you can pursue with a degree, including:

• correctional officer
• criminal behavior analyst
• cybersecurity specialist
• forensic science analyst
• police officer
• public safety officer

Many criminal justice degree programs let you choose electives or a specialization so you can tailor your program to your career goals.

Is Criminal Justice Two Years?

The criminal justice major typically takes two years of full-time study. This is for core courses and electives but does not include general education courses. To complete a bachelor's degree, you usually will have to be in school for four years.

If you have already completed an associate degree, you will often be able to bypass the general education requirements and jump into the major core courses. If a program offers accelerated courses or courses throughout the summer as well as in the fall and spring, you may be able to complete your major requirements faster.

Learn more: What Is the Easiest Criminal Justice Degree?

How Can I Pay for My Criminal Justice Degree?

Higher education can be expensive, so students who need help paying for their college should pursue financial aid. The best way to do this is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA determines what state and federal aid you qualify for. Schools and private institutions often require it for other types of financial aid, like scholarships.