Key takeaways
- Not many colleges and universities offer a criminal justice degree online free.
- However, you can pursue free online criminal justice courses to earn job-relevant skills for a career in criminal justice.
- Criminal justice is a broad field and encompasses not just the courts and judicial system but also law enforcement agencies, corrections, probation, parole, and more.
- If you are unsure of whether you want to pursue a career in criminal justice or not, consider taking a free criminal justice course online.
- University of Leicester offers a Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation course online for free.
- You can pursue the free online course by MIT called ‘Law and Society’ to better understand the US Constitution and its impact on US history.
- The Open University also offers several free online criminal investigation courses.
Not many educational institutes offer a criminal justice degree online free, not just in the United States, but across the globe. However, if you do wish to obtain an education in the field and develop job-ready skills, there are several online educational institutes offering courses, workshops, and training sessions.
In this guide, we discuss the pros and cons of obtaining free criminal justice courses with certificates. We also list some free online criminal justice courses that you can explore. But before we begin, let’s understand what criminal justice is and what a degree in criminal justice entails.
What is criminal justice?
Criminal justice is a system of practices, institutions, organizations, and policies designed to maintain social order, prevent crime, apprehend criminals, and ensure optimal penalization and punishment administration. It includes law enforcement agencies such as police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and more.
Additionally, the criminal justice system includes the judiciary and corrections. The judiciary includes the legal system, such as courts, and the corrections sector includes jails, detention centers, probation, parole, and so on. The primary aim of the criminal justice system is to ensure the protection of civil rights, property, and lives.
It is also responsible for ensuring the apprehension of criminals and those who instigate criminal acts. Moreover, authorities in the criminal justice system ensure the provision of fair and adequate punishment. Everyone from police officers to lawyers, judges, and paralegals is part of the criminal justice system. However, each role requires different skills and thus different education. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is the one degree that can prepare you for the majority of roles.
Related: Ultimate guide to criminal justice administration
What does a degree in criminal justice entail?
The ideal way to enter the criminal justice field is after obtaining a formal education in criminal justice. By formal education, we mean a degree in the field from an accredited college. You can also pursue internationally recognized certifications and accredited courses in the field if you are not willing or able to commit to a college degree at the moment. However, before you decide which educational path to follow, it is better to get information on every available option.
So, when it comes to getting a degree in criminal justice, there are a couple of options at the undergraduate level. You can either pursue an associate’s degree or opt for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Related: One-stop guide to getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
Associate’s degree in criminal justice
An associate’s degree is a two-year program offered by 2-year community colleges and even some 4-year universities. The program generally features 60 credits, and through the program, you can develop comprehensive knowledge about the field of criminal justice alongside foundational skills. After graduation, you become eligible for a few entry-level supportive roles in the field.
Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is a 4-year program. It features a more comprehensive curriculum and an extensive range of courses in criminal justice. Through the program, you will not only develop an understanding of criminal justice but also develop the complete range of professional competencies needed to succeed in the field.
The curriculum features 120 credits and multiple components, namely, general education, core-specific, and electives. Here, you get more freedom when it comes to planning your learning experience as compared to an associate’s degree. Moreover, you become eligible for a vast range of criminal justice jobs with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.
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Topics covered in a criminal justice degree
Criminal justice is a broad field, so you can expect to undertake courses in a variety of subjects when pursuing a degree in the field. Here are just some examples of courses you may come across during your college education:
- Forensic Science
- Criminology
- Criminal Justice Ethics
- Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Law
- Juvenile Justice
- Corrections
- Criminal Responsibility and Mental Health Disorders
- Importance of Community Policing
- Crime Prevention
- Restorative Justice
These are just some topics out of the extensive list of topics covered in various courses undertaken in a degree in criminal justice. Whether you choose to pursue an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you have the option to choose from an online or on-campus mode of learning.
Related: How long does criminal justice take?
Why take criminal justice online classes – free?
The distance learning industry is growing at an unprecedented rate for multiple reasons. Nearly 76% of students take at least 1 online class throughout the course of their college program. More importantly, many online learning websites offer criminal justice online classes free. The fact that they are free raises quite a few eyebrows. Many question the quality of education or the worth of the programs.
However, just because something is free does not mean it is not worthy. Criminal justice is a field where you will work toward the betterment of society. There are many industry professionals who are passionate about combating crime, protecting civilian rights and property, and guaranteeing their safety.
Moreover, taking these free online criminal justice courses can prove incredibly beneficial to at-risk young minds. They get a deeper look into the damages caused by criminal acts. Additionally, they get insights into the ethical conundrum that such acts present, the possible repercussions of such acts, and potential treatment plans.
While science is still unsure of how and why some individuals turn to a life of crime, information and a clear picture of the life of a criminal, the risks, punishments, and long-term side effects can prove beneficial. They might even deter someone from a life of crime. And since they are free, all you really need to do is enroll in one and show up to class.
Related: Exploring the top criminal justice schools in New York
List of free online justice courses
Whether you are an aspiring professional, a student, or someone who wants to learn more about criminal justice and criminal investigation, here is a list of free online courses that you can undertake.
Law and Society – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the most renowned names in the academic world. You can get a chance to learn from academic experts in the field of anthropology in the free online course, Law and Society in US History. It is taught by Professor Christopher Capozzola and is one of the best free criminal justice courses available online.
Here, you will cover topics in Humanities, History, American History, Philosophy, Public Policy, and Social Science. You will learn the influence of all these and various other fields on the development of the US Constitution since 1787. The three main themes you will explore in this course are liberty, equality, and property.
If you want to understand the evolution of US law and its impact on American life, this is one of the ideal free online criminal justice courses for you.
Forensic Science and Criminal Justice – University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is another renowned educational institute situated in Leicester, England. Though not a US institute, it offers a range of free online courses anyone from anywhere around the world can pursue. One such course is the Forensic Science and Criminal Justice course. If you are looking for free online criminal investigation courses, this is the one for you.
Through this course, you will learn how to use science in criminal investigations. Here, you will learn about forensic science, the latest tools, technologies, and advancements in the field, and how these technologies help criminal investigations.
Introducing Research in Law and Beyond – The Open University
Research is an integral part of the criminal justice field. In fact, there are various roles in the field that require skilled research professionals, and this course can help you prepare for a variety of such roles. Through the course ‘Introducing Research in Law and Beyond’ by the Open University, you will learn how to identify a research topic, how to conduct a literature review, how to draft research questions, and more.
Here, you will develop an understanding of the importance of research, literature review, and cross-referencing. Moreover, you will develop the skills needed to take supportive roles in the field. What makes the program stand out is that it is one of the few free criminal justice courses with certificates.
The Use of Force in International Law – Open University
Another course through which you can get a criminal justice certificate online free is the course ‘The Use of Force in International Law’, also offered by the Open University. The use of force is a much-debated topic in the field of law, public policy, and criminal justice. When is it justifiable to use force, and how much force is considered justifiable and in what contexts and cases?
This is an interesting course, especially for those who aim to either go into public policy or law enforcement. At the end of the course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the law, rules, and governance regarding the use of force in international law. Through the course, you will get criminal justice training in an investigative capacity.
Moreover, you will have and be able to analyze different cases to identify any violations of law regarding the use of force and determine if the violations were in fact warranted and as a result of provocation, or a clear abuse of power.
You may also be interested in: What is the fastest criminal justice degree online?
Start your career today with criminal justice online classes free!
You don’t need to find a criminal justice degree online “free”. Let’s be honest, you probably won’t find one either. However, what you can do is build certain job-ready skills and expand your knowledge base by opting for free criminal justice courses. As long as the course you pursue is from an accredited institution or university, it will hold value in the job market and make you eligible for different jobs in the criminal justice field.
We have provided some suggestions that you can explore. Additionally, we suggest you keep an eye out for online learning platforms and university billboards to be the first to know if any other courses come up that you can pursue. Best of luck!