Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Illinois: Comparing Programs
Expertise: TeachingPsych.Criminal Justice Expertise: EditorialHigher Ed.Online LearningIllinois is home to many top criminal justice schools offering online degree programs at associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels. In the state, demand for trained criminal justice professionals remains steady, with roles like probation officers and paralegals seeing consistent growth (O*NET Online). Whether you’re drawn to policing, corrections, legal support, or rehabilitation, this DFG guide can help you find the right online criminal justice program. We’ll explore many undergraduate and graduate options — both online and campus-based — available in Illinois.
Associate Degrees for Criminal Justice Students
Associate degree programs are ideal for students who are new to the criminal justice field. These entry-level programs are designed for students pursuing a career in law enforcement, corrections, or security. Most programs take approximately two years to complete. They offer foundational knowledge in criminal justice principles, legal systems, and ethical considerations.
College of Lake County
College of Lake County offers its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Criminal Justice degree program both online and in-person. This program uses an interactive lecture and discussion model that’s available through virtual live classes, in-person classes, or fully online classes.
Students can complete required coursework for the online program without any scheduled meetings or classes. The program can be completed in approximately two years.
When compared to other colleges, College of Lake County offers affordable tuition plus financial aid opportunities that can help students pay for an AAS degree.
Locations:
- Grayslake, IL
- Vernon Hills, IL
- Waukegan, IL
Mode: Online
Cost: $137.96 per credit hour (tuition for in-district residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school transcripts or ACT/SAT Student Profile Report
- Completed student admission form
- Proficiencies and prerequisites are met.
- Attendance at orientation session for new students
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Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Programs
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can lead to more opportunities than an associate degree. It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete a bachelor’s degree. Graduates are equipped to obtain several different positions within the criminal justice system, such as crime analyst or corrections officer.
Aurora University
Aurora University offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice degree program. It prepares students for a career in law enforcement, corrections, private security, or related fields. This program provides students with a solid education in subjects like the criminal justice system and criminology.
Instructors at Aurora University use open-education resources instead of traditional textbooks that students need to purchase. The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree program is designed for students with experience in criminal justice. It includes an optional internship so students can apply the skills they’ve learned. Estimated program length is two to four years.
Location: Aurora, IL
Mode: Online
Cost: $465 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- At least 15 hours of transfer credit, official high school transcript with minimum 2.5 GPA, or ACT/SAT scores
- Proof of high school graduation, GED, or completed associate degree
- Completed undergraduate application
Master’s Degree Programs in Criminal Justice
Students who are serious about advancing their career and diving deeper into a specific area of criminal justice should consider getting a master’s degree. Graduate criminal justice programs in Illinois generally allow students to explore a particular area of research through coursework and a thesis. Graduates are eligible for various roles in the criminal justice system.
Southern Illinois University Edwards ville (SIUE)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice Policy degree program. This program prepares students for future careers by covering topics such as analysis of controversial issues, examination of possible future practices, and collaboration with criminal justice professionals in the courts. It also provides students with foundational knowledge of both theory and methods related to criminal justice.
SIUE provides an affordable and flexible program that allows students to complete an MS degree while balancing other responsibilities. Students have the option to complete a one-year or two-year program, depending on how many courses they take.
Location: Edwardsville, IL
Mode: Online
Cost: $371.30 per credit hour (tuition for U.S residents)/$928.25 per credit hour (tuition for international students)
- Post-secondary academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.5 GPA
- Graduate school application and fee
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Earn a Doctorate or Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
A doctorate degree is ideal for professionals who already earned a master’s degree and have some work experience in the criminal justice field. A degree such as a PhD in Criminal Justice typically leads to a role in academia and/or prepares students to become experts in the criminal justice field.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
The University of Illinois Chicago offers a PhD in Criminology, Law, and Justice degree prpgram. This doctoral program is offered in-person at the urban Chicago campus. UIC was ranked among the top 40 public universities and 10th in social mobility by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.
Students take courses such as Law and Society; Criminological Theory; and Advanced Methods in Criminology, Law, and Justice (CLJ) in this program. Additionally, students are required to complete two CLJ Signature Seminars and specialize in one of three areas: Law and Society, Criminology, or the Study of Justice.
Location: Chicago, IL
Mode: In-person
Cost: $6,360 per semester (tuition for in-state students)/$13,255 per semester (tuition for out-of-state students)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study and minimum 3.25 GPA in all graduate courses
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample (MA thesis or other major research paper)
Answering FAQs for Criminal Justice Students in Illinois
Is an online criminal justice program worth spending money on?
Online criminal justice degree programs are great for students who need flexibility. While there are both pros and cons to completing a degree program online, students who work full-time while in school or live far from a campus can benefit from this type of program.
In most cases, online programs offer the same quality of education as in-person programs. For example, Western Illinois University offers online Law Enforcement and Justice Administration degrees and was ranked number one for criminal justice programs in Illinois.
How long does it take to complete the fastest criminal justice program?
The length of a criminal justice degree program depends on various factors. Typically, an associate degree is the quickest degree to obtain. But, some accelerated programs allow you to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a short amount of time.
For example, Lewis University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Arts (BA) Sworn Officer Criminal Justice degree program that’s offered in eight-week sessions.
How long does it take to earn a criminal justice degree online?
Unless it’s an accelerated program, most online criminal justice degree programs take about the same time to complete as in-person programs. Most associate programs take approximately two years to complete, while bachelor’s programs take approximately four years to complete.
Additional factors can determine how long it takes to earn a criminal justice degree online. These factors include students’ professional experience and the number of college credits they currently have.
What’s the difference between criminology and criminal justice?
The main difference between criminology and criminal justice is the focus of study and career paths. While both of these degrees include studying crime, criminology focuses more on the social aspect of crime and criminal justice focuses on the legal aspect of crime.
A criminal justice degree generally prepares students for careers such as law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or FBI agent. A criminology degree prepares students for more academic paths, such as a career at a university or in a research center.
How much does it cost to earn an online criminal justice degree?
The total cost to earn a criminal justice degree can range from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the type of program. An associate degree program will have a vastly different cost from a PhD program.
Though it can be difficult for some students to cover school expenses, many affordable online criminal justice degree programs are available in Illinois. Most schools offer some form of financial aid, including need-based aid, scholarships, grants, and/or student loans.
Income and Career Opportunities for Criminal Justice Graduates in Illinois
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,490 | $90,970 | $64,440 |
| Illinois | Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $32,670 | $72,550 | $46,640 |
| Illinois | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $42,360 | $107,300 | $65,790 |
| Illinois | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $56,890 | $155,440 | $90,900 |
| Illinois | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $52,000 | $109,600 | $98,430 |
| Illinois | Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,750 | $93,100 | $60,940 |
| Illinois | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $47,080 | $98,590 | $66,150 |
| Illinois | Security Guards | $31,070 | $51,430 | $36,960 |
| Illinois | Social Workers | $38,200 | $101,500 | $63,630 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Correctional Officers and Jailers | 12,320 | 11,640 | -680 | -5.50% |
| Illinois | Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | 5,660 | 5,850 | 190 | 3.40% |
| Illinois | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 450 | 450 | – | 0.00% |
| Illinois | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 2,570 | 2,600 | 30 | 1.20% |
| Illinois | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | 30,900 | 31,900 | 1,000 | 3.20% |
| Illinois | Private Detectives and Investigators | 1,900 | 1,970 | 70 | 3.70% |
| Illinois | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 2,940 | 3,030 | 90 | 3.10% |
| Illinois | Security Guards | 47,600 | 47,600 | – | 0.00% |
| Illinois | Social Workers | 1,630 | 1,760 | 130 | 8.00% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Criminal Justice Students and Professionals in Illinois
Starting a career in criminal justice can seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Plenty of resources are available to help students succeed. Below, we’ll list resources for criminal justice students that can help them find a career path and provide support so they can obtain a job.
- Criminal Justice Student Resource Guide: Determining which academic path is right for you can be tricky. This criminal justice resource guide describes podcasts, associations, and online communities that can prepare students for academic careers.
- Criminology, Law, and Justice Student Society: Joining a student organization, like this one at the University of Illinois Chicago, can be a great way to connect with peers, network with industry professionals, and attend professional development seminars about criminal justice.
- Illinois Bar Association: While a state bar association might conjure images of lawyers, the Illinois Bar Association offers useful resources for criminal justice employees across all disciplines. These resources include online blogs, training, and in-person events.
- Illinois Correctional Association: This organization provides training, online resources, and in-person events for Illinois professionals who work within the correctional system. It also devotes a section for criminal justice students who want to explore opportunities in this sector.
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority: Students who are interested in criminal justice administration should check out this state-funded association. It offers research and resources for criminal justice professionals and funding for criminal justice administration research.
- Illinois Department of Corrections: The Illinois Department of Corrections manages the state’s penal justice system. Graduates who want to work within this system can benefit from exploring the careers section of this website.
- Illinois State Police Internships: Students who want to learn how to become a police officer should check out Illinois State Police’s internship program. It is designed for students who are interested in law enforcement.
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission: This commission provides information about scholarships, grants, and other financial aid resources for college students.
- Joliet Police Department Ride-Along Program: The Joliet Police Department promotes citizen involvement in law enforcement by offering a Ride-Along Program. This program is a great way for students who are interested in law enforcement to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in the field.
- Whiteside Area Career Center: The Whiteside Area Career Center in Sterling, Illinois, offers a program for aspiring criminal justice students. This program provides knowledge and practical skills to prepare students for a career in the criminal justice field.
Inside Top Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
We created a ranking system to help you choose the best programs since so many different criminal justice degree programs are available in Illinois.
To be eligible for this ranking, schools must be accredited, offer at least one program that is offered partially or fully online, and feature career placement and academic counseling services. Schools were also ranked based on online learning, affordability, and student outcomes. The best online or hybrid criminal justice programs in Illinois are listed below.