Criminal Justice Online Degrees

Considerations for a Criminal Justice Online Degree

If you're thinking of getting your criminal justice degree online but haven't ever taken an online class, here are some things you will want to know.

Many online criminal justice degree classes are accessible 24/7, so you can study any time that fits into your busy schedule. You can study anywhere you can log on: from work, on the road, at a coffee shop with Wi-Fi or from a comfortable spot on your couch. This can help you balance your family life with your work and a much needed education.

A Criminal Justice Degree Online is NOT harder than a traditional program

Online criminal justice degree programs are not more difficult than campus programs because they follow the same curriculum. Taking courses online can actually be easier because you set your study schedule instead of sleeping through that 8 a.m. class. Also, students who take courses online usually have the advantage of receiving instructors' lectures in written form so you can more easily go back to check what the prof said.

An Online Criminal Justice Degree is NOT more expensive than campus programs

The price of an online education varies widely. Students should expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 per credit, with average tuition for online programs offered by public universities generally falling in the $110 to $170 range. Additional registration, technology or enrollment fees may also apply. One advantage of distance learning is that it eliminates the higher out-of-state tuition. In addition, you won't have to pay high gas prices driving to and from campus or sit in traffic getting there, and won't have to pay parking fees or worry about paying expensive parking tickets.

You CAN get scholarships and financial aid if you go to school online

While it might be scary to think about spending so much money, education is a valuable investment in your future. Students enrolled in online criminal justice degrees are often eligible for the same types of scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional programs. This will help defray the cost, and make online education more affordable than you might think.

Expect to buy textbooks and read a lot

Even though you're in an online criminal justice degree program, you may still have to buy textbooks and you will still have reading assignments. Also, there is a lot more information online, so today's virtual students may be referred to websites for reading assignments. It is the discussion of all of this reading material that takes place online. You're not getting a degree without effort; online education still takes dedication and commitment on your part.

An online criminal justice curriculum is no different from on-campus classes

Online criminal justice course content is generally the same as traditional coursework. Assignments are emailed to the instructor, usually on designated due dates. For many online classes, written coursework takes the place of traditional examinations. When this is not the case, tests may be offered online.

The virtual classroom

Communicate with your professors via email and chat. Although your criminal justice online degree will generally have the same content as traditional degrees, many prospective students worry that by taking courses online they will not receive the benefit of personal interaction with their instructors and fellow classmates. Students who take courses online usually do not meet face-to-face with instructors and classmates, but communication via video conferencing, email or online discussions often proves to be just as—or more—rewarding.

Online classes are generally hosted on a secure website, and the interaction can be quite interactive. You hear your teacher's voice and other students' questions. It is surprising how quickly we can learn people's personalities, even when they're not in the room with us. The instructor may also post lecture materials and assignments on the course website, and there is usually a bulletin board or other discussion forums where students can post comments and questions. The instructor may occasionally designate a specific log-in time for an online chat session, but otherwise you may log in and work at any time. Components of a virtual classroom include:

• Streaming Video
• Video Conferencing
• Email
• Instant Messaging (IM)

If you are new to online learning, don't feel like you have to know all of this now. After enrolling, you will receive detailed instructions on how to set up your computer prior to the classes starting. Online schools also have technical support for you to contact and get help as necessary to enhance your online learning experience.

Hand in your assignments via email

Using email lets you correspond with classmates, instructors, teaching assistants or groups within a course and is an extremely common practice for turning in homework assignments in Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint.

Engage in virtual conversations

Conversations about course materials are commonly on discussion boards. Discussion boards have questions and responses from other students and the teacher, so don't think you're alone if you didn't understand something. Log on and see what other students are asking, or add your own question to the board. Think of this as if you were in a traditional classroom where everyone asks questions and opens up discussions.

It's essential that online students participate in class. Ask questions and talk to your teacher if you're having problems. If you didn't get enough review before your quiz, email your prof. He or she probably has additional material that they can send you. Good luck in your criminal justice online degree!

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