Criminal Justice Online Degrees in North Carolina
Build the Skillset to Understand and Reduce Crime
- About 7,400 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year.1
- The median annual wage for police officers and detectives was $69,160 in May 2022.2
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Online Criminal Justice Degrees at Methodist University
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your current career, Methodist University’s 100% online degrees will help you meet your goals. Our programs will help you build a strong foundation in criminal justice and prepare yourself to develop a holistic view of the behaviors and conditions that produce crime.
Criminal Justice, BS
100% online
3.5 years
124 credit hours
Build a holistic view of the behaviors, conditions, and circumstances that produce crime and criminality with an online bachelor’s in Criminal Justice.
View ProgramCriminal Justice, MS
100% online
2 years
36 credit hours
Explore all aspects of the correction system to prepare for a leadership role with an online master’s in Criminal Justice.
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Why Choose Methodist University?
Methodist University is proud to be both a Military Friendly® and a Yellow Ribbon School. We offer a variety of benefits, such as lower tuition rates for military-affiliated students, college credit for military experience, and spousal benefits. Our dedicated military support staff can also connect you to valuable resources that will help you pursue the most affordable options for continuing your education.
Methodist University’s criminal justice programs are 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you can study on your schedule from wherever is most convenient. With the knowledge and support you get from Methodist, you’ll be one step closer to your future career.
Criminal Justice Career Outlook
With an online criminal justice degree from Methodist University, you’ll be on your way to an exciting career. Our programs give you the skills necessary to succeed in the justice system and will prepare you for work as a police officer, corrections officer, victim advocate, and more.
With 1,920 projected annual job openings for police and patrol officers in North Carolina,3 now is the time to explore a future in criminal justice.
30,900
Projected national job openings for corrections officers over the decade4
64,500
Projected national job openings for police officers and detectives per year over the decade2
Careers in Criminal Justice
Police Officer
$48,260/year3
Police officers enforce the law and protect our communities by patrolling roadways, responding to emergency calls, and investigating crime.
Police Chief
$85,020/year5
Police chiefs are responsible for overseeing police departments and their employees and coordinating activities and partnerships with outside agencies.
Detective
$55,360/year6
Detectives investigate crimes by examining evidence, conducting interviews, and gathering pertinent information. This includes crimes such as assaults, robberies, murders, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQ page to find answers to questions you may have about the online programs.
Graduates of our criminal justice programs go on to work as police, parole officers, corrections officers, detectives, and more. Jobs generally involve enforcing laws to ensure the safety of the public. You can read more about career potential here.
Many agencies in North Carolina will only hire or promote police officers with a degree. Our programs position graduates to be competitive job candidates and earn more in current or future careers.
Requirements to become a police officer vary by agency, but many organizations seek applicants with a GED and some college experience. Earning your degree in criminal justice will make you a competitive applicant who has proven they have the skills necessary to be a valuable officer.
The average completion time for the bachelor’s program is 3.5 years, and the average for the master’s is 2 years. These programs can take less time depending on the number of transfer credits used.
Request and provide an official copy of your JST or CCAF transcript during the admissions process along with your prior college transcripts and high school transcripts so they can be evaluated.
You can order your transcripts using the appropriate military branch link below. Please note that you will likely be prompted to manually accept the DoD’s security certificates.
Methodist University offers various educational benefits to help military service members pay for their education. Our Office of Veteran Services is here to assist active-duty personnel, veterans, and their dependents in receiving various educational benefits. Methodist University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Additionally, our dedicated admission team can be contacted directly at (855) 474-8222 or online@methodist.edu to answer your questions.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.” Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://bls.gov/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Police and Detectives.” Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://bls.gov/.
- National Center for O*NET Development, O*NET OnLine, “Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers.” Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.onetonline.org/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Correctional Officers and Bailiffs.” Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://bls.gov/.
- Payscale. “Average Police Chief Salary.” Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- National Center for O*NET Development, O*NET OnLine, “Detectives and Criminal Investigators.” Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.onetonline.org/.