Accelerated criminal justice degrees provide the same quality education as on-campus programs — but they can save you time and even money. Additionally, an accelerated degree can help you break into the workforce more quickly.
So how do you find the best accelerated criminal justice degree? We've done some of that work for you. Our rankings below use data from the National Center for Education Statistics to help you identify the best online accelerated bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.
Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fastest Criminal Justice Degree Online Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like pace, affordability, transfer credit policies, flexibility, and admission requirements. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in December 2025.
How Fast Is an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree? Program Length
Pursuing an accelerated criminal justice degree online generally means studying for roughly 2-3 years instead of the typical four years.
In an accelerated degree program, you'll still complete the standard 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree — just on a tighter schedule. Usually, this means coursework is condensed into seven- or eight-week sessions. Additionally, you'll probably need to take classes over the summer. Your exact course load will depend on your school and your schedule.
Some accelerated programs may be offered as degree-completion programs. This means you can earn your criminal justice degree in a shorter time frame — sometimes in as little as one year! — by transferring credits from previous college coursework.
To earn an accelerated criminal justice degree in two years, you must meet transfer credit requirements and take approximately 4-5 classes during each accelerated term.
Common Courses for an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree
Coursework in an accelerated criminal justice degree program prepares you for careers in the public and private sectors, including law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and private security.
Here are common classes you can expect to take in a fast criminal justice degree program:
Criminology: This introductory course covers the principles of sociology, theories of criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. The class surveys the basic areas of study and provides a solid foundation for upper-level coursework.
Cybercrime: This class provides a deeper look into crime theories, specific laws regarding technology, and investigative techniques. With the FBI reporting more than $4 billion lost in the U.S. alone in 2020 to cybercrimes, this course prepares you to work in the modern era.
Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice: This course discusses ethical issues and how the Constitution works concerning personal rights, civil liberties, and institutional policies. You'll learn how to perform your job ethically while upholding the tenets of the law.
Forensic Science: An introductory course to crime scene investigation, evidence gathering, and preservation, this class typically features a combination of lectures and labs. You'll study techniques in crime scene preservation and develop an understanding of crime lab operations.
Find Financial Aid for Your Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Careers You Can Pursue with an Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree.
Although the job outlook for many criminal justice careers is average or below average, you can benefit from steady job security and reliable pay, with opportunities for professional advancement.
Criminal justice students can consider many career paths. Graduates often choose jobs focused on upholding the law. Police officers and detectives, for example, earn a median annual salary of $77,270.
Other graduates of accelerated criminal justice degree programs may work within the judicial system as paralegals and legal assistants — these professionals earn a median salary of $61,010.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Projected Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Detectives | $77,270 | 4% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $67,710 | 6% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $64,520/td> | 4% |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $61,010 | 1% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,580 | 4% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,950 | -6% |
| Bailiffs | $57,050 | -1% |
Want More Options? Check Out These Corrections Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree Programs
If you're passionate about law enforcement and crime prevention, you may find pursuing a criminal justice degree worthwhile. The degree can help you establish a successful career in fields such as law enforcement, private security, the judicial system, advocacy, and counseling.
A criminal justice degree also opens doors for career advancement, where consideration for promotions often requires a degree and field certifications.
