Criminal Justice Online Program

  • Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts
  • College of Arts & Letters
  • Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Degree completion

  • For students with some college credits
  • Complete at least 30 credits online from ODU

Full degree

  • A start-to-finish curriculum for students to earn a degree online from ODU
  • 120 credit hours

Learn the social, legal, and technological aspects of the growing criminal justice field.

ODU's criminal justice online degree program has a diverse and knowledgeable faculty, specializing in criminology and criminal justice. You'll take a variety of courses on criminal justice administration. Your courses will also teach you about the social and psychological causes of criminal behavior.

When you graduate, you will earn a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Note: Both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science are available as degree-completion programs, which build on college credits you've already earned. Only the Bachelor of Science is available as a full program online, starting as a freshman.

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  • Best Online Criminology School in Virginia
    and #10 nationwide, 2021 - CollegeFactual.com

  • To earn a bachelor's degree from ODU, you must complete at least 30 credit hours with us. This online criminal justice bachelor’s program requires 120 total credit hours.

    Your exact course of study may vary depending on whether you choose to complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Talk with our enrollment team to determine how your credits will transfer. 

    Military Transfer Pathway

    ODU has a signed military pathway agreement for this program. This agreement may grant academic credit to U.S. military service members and veterans for their experience and training.

  • Access course materials online from any location. Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. The instructor may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $408 per credit hour*
    Out-of-State Students
    $439 per credit hour

    Active duty military students may qualify for a discounted undergraduate tuition rate.

    These tuition rates are effective Fall 2024 and subject to change. 
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

    Explore ODUGlobal Cost & Aid

  • Scholarship Opportunities

    Social Good Scholarship: We applaud and lift our students who make a positive impact on their communities, such as teachers, counselors, law enforcement, and librarians. Recipients are awarded $1,000 in the first semester of enrollment.
    Learn more about the Social Good Scholarship

  • If you are interested in helping victims or offenders, our online criminal justice program can lead to a career involving:

    • Corrections
    • Casework and counseling
    • Juvenile justice
    • Probation and parole
    • Victim advocacy
  • Our criminal justice alumni are applying their knowledge in fields such as:

    • Retail environments
    • Security roles
    • Law enforcement
    • Legal professions
    • School districts

Our dedicated enrollment team will guide your transition to ODUGlobal.

  • The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is available entirely online. If you’ve never taken college classes before, you'll apply to ODU as a freshman. 

    Both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science are available as degree-completion programs, which means you would transfer to ODU with prior college credits for the lower division courses. 

    Our enrollment team will help you throughout the admissions process.

  • ODU has partnered with the Virginia Community College System and select educational institutions to make transferring easy. 

    Learn more about Guaranteed Admission to ODU.