For some of us, television crime dramas provide most of our knowledge about the criminal justice system. While this may be exciting and action-packed, there is actually a lot more to know about criminal justice than a television show can teach.

Criminal Justice Programs and Courses
Today, many schools even offer you the chance to earn criminal justice degrees online. These programs often focus on policing practices, corrections, the criminal court system and juvenile justice. In an online college, you'll take highly interactive classes that help you develop the critical thinking skills needed to work in the criminal justice field.
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Criminal Justice Programs

Online Criminal Justice Degrees Corrections / Correctional AdministrationCriminal Justice / Law Enforcement AdministrationCriminal Justice and Corrections OtherCriminal JusticeForensic Technology / TechnicianLaw Enforcement / Police ScienceSecurity and Loss Prevention Services

Earning your criminal justice degree online also offers you a unique degree of freedom to study and learn on your own time.

Many online criminal justice degrees will touch on some of the following subjects through the program courses:

• Theory and practice of criminal justice
• Correctional systems
• Court systems
• Juvenile justice
• Forensic psychology
• Gender, race and crime
• Professionalism and ethics
• Criminal justice research
• Management and leadership in criminal justice

What career doors can a criminal justice education open? The criminal justice system is divided into three main parts: policing, the courts and corrections. With an online criminal justice degree, you can choose a specific area of specialty, or explore different opportunities within several of these categories.

Career Opportunities
For those who choose a career in the policing field, you will often investigate criminal offenders and make arrests to promote public and social order. Policing work can also include many other responsibilities within a variety of contexts.

Pursuing a career within the courts system allows you to work to settle disputes and bring about justice for the parties involved.

Professionals within the corrections field are responsible for managing convicted offenders. Some common aspects of the corrections domain include prisons and other detention centers, monetary fines, probation and house arrest, community service and capital punishment.

Learn more about the schools near you offering an online criminal justice degree and take the first step toward this rewarding career!