Criminal Justice Online Degrees & Certificates

From local, state, and federal positions within the criminal justice community to international consulting opportunities, criminal justice professionals are in high demand across the globe. Earning an online criminal justice degree from AMU can be your first step toward entry into or advancement in this growing field! 

Our program’s interdisciplinary approach provides students with a sound knowledge base in the areas of U.S. law enforcement, criminology, investigations, law, and community relations. A wide range of course offerings further enable students to focus on juvenile issues, causes of crime and criminal behavior, corrections and incarceration, investigative procedures/techniques, maritime law, leadership, and forensics.

Take the next step and complete a no-fee application.

We want you to make an informed decision about the university that's right for you. For more about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, visit www.apus.edu/disclosure.

• Available Programs

  • A.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.S. in Criminal Justice 
  • M.A. in Criminal Justice
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Forensics
  • Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice

• Why Choose AMU?

  Academic Quality meets Affordable Tuition

  American Military University (AMU) provides quality and affordable online education to U.S. Armed Forces, members of the public safety, service and national security communities, and working adults in a wide range of fields. AMU closely partners with industry organizations and is highly respected by public service, intelligence, homeland security and criminal justice communities for developing curriculum that is relevant to today’s job market. AMU is a member of the regionally accredited American Public University System. Here’s why more than 100,000 students make us their school of choice.

  • #1 most popular provider of education to the U.S. military*
  • Admission fees are waived for active duty, guard and reserve members 
  • No application or technology fees; and textbooks are provided at no cost to all undergraduate students earning academic credit 
  • Active duty tuition assistance covers up to 100% of undergraduate tuition and up to 75% of graduate tuition for as many as six courses per year**
  • Affordable tuition that is 20 percent less than the average four-year public university’s in-state rates according to the College Board’s 2010-2011 study
  • Save time and money by transferring previous education and training credits
  • Nationally recognized for quality online education and effective practices 
  • Experienced faculty; many who are executives in government and nonprofit organizations including the United Nations, State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • 96% of AMU seniors say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their education
  • 97% of AMU seniors say they would recommend AMU to friends and colleagues

  To get started, complete our no-fee application now.

  *based upon 2011 DoD enrollment figures for U.S. servicemembers
  **refer to your service's policy on tuition assistance eligibility and availability

Video Spotlight

AMU Feature Video
Just what is online learning all about? Hear from our faculty and students about how AMU achieves academic excellence each day through online learning and take a tour of our virtual campus and classroom.

Faculty Spotlight

Dena M. Weiss
Criminal Justice Professor
M.S.: Virginia Commonwealth University

Professor Dena Weiss has a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Sociology from Mary Baldwin College and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently a Crime Scene Investigator and a Fingerprint Expert for a central Florida police department. Prior to working for a local police department, Ms Weiss was a Serologist for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Tampa, Florida. She has been actively working crime scenes and examining fingerprints for over eleven years. Her court experience includes testifying in court cases in over fifteen Florida counties. She has provided testimony for over 200 Federal and Circuit court cases.

Transfer Credit & Academic Affiliations

AMU accepts transfer credit from leading public safety educators, including:

• FBI National Academy Associates
  • Receive up to 15 graduate semester hour credits for prior master's courses completed at the National Academy.
• California Post Command College
  • Receive up to 9 graduate semester hour credits towards a master's degree program.
• USMC Civilian Law Enforcement Academies
  • Receive up to 9 undergraduate semester hour credits for completion of a basic academy program.
• Southern Police Institute Alumni Association
  • Receive up to 12 undergraduate or graduate semester hour credits for courses completed at SPI
• Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department University
  • Undergraduate transfer credit awarded for completion of the Detective's College program.
• Los Angeles Police Department University Leadership Program
  • Credit awarded for completion of the University Leadership program.

 AMU is a member of the following public safety alliances:

• National Fraternal Order of Police University
  • Scholarship funding available from the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
• FBI University Education Program
  • This program sponsors FBI employees in educational programs that are relevant to the FBI's mission.
• International Association of Emergency Managers
  • AMU is an affiliate member and recipient of the 2009 IAEM Education Program of the Year award.
• International Association for Intelligence Education
  • This cross-discipline group focuses on resources and development activities in intelligence education.