Getting an Online Criminal Justice Degree vs. Traditional Criminal Justice Degree

As criminal justice degree programs expand significantly to the online education platform, becoming nationally recognized and accredited, students may have difficulty choosing between online and traditional criminal justice degree programs. Advantages exist for both traditional and online methods of education; ultimately, personal learning style and career goals are important factors in choosing a criminal justice degree program. Some key differences in traditional and online education include:

Cost

Online criminal justice programs typically cost slightly less per credit than traditional programs. In addition, most online institutions allow students to attend school during nonworking hours, such as evenings or weekends. This allows students to continue current employment, which can lessen their student loan debt. Working during school also allows criminal justice students to increase their career potential and achieve advanced positions within a company.

However, while traditional criminal justice programs do not offer as much flexibility, students can often find part-time work on campus. Graduate students may have an opportunity to teach courses to fund their school as well. Accredited institutions, whether online or traditional, will have access to federal student aid funds.

Techniques

Whether a traditional or an online program would work best depends highly on the learning style of the student. Online criminal justice programs offer flexibility in class and study times, while traditional programs offer more structured education environments. Potential students who can self-motivate, have a strong commitment to the program, and are independent workers should consider an online program. Criminal justice students who have not attended school for a long duration and are unsure of their skill level, or those who enjoy face-to-face interactions with professors would likely fit better into a traditional college program.

Access to Technology

Online criminal justice programs assume the student has access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. A particular program may have other technology requirements that will create a successful program for the institution. Students who have regular access to the required technology should consider an online program. Traditional colleges have technology labs on campus, which is helpful to those who do not have in-home technology access. Criminal justice students who do not own a computer or who do not have consistent access to a fast internet connection should consider a traditional college environment.

Personality

Criminal justice students who enjoy working one-on-one with others would benefit from a traditional criminal justice program. Many traditional criminal justice programs have internship opportunities at local facilities, and utilize group work during class. Students who benefit from contact with others should consider a traditional college program.

Students who work better independently should consider an online program. Those who have outside commitments that make their availability for internships or group work difficult should also consider an online criminal justice program.