5 Great Specializations for Online Criminal Justice Students

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Criminal Justice Specializations

  • Cybercrime
  • Homeland Security
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Supervision and Management
  • Business Administration

Are you interested in a law enforcement or corrections career?

You should be aware of the many available specializations for online criminal justice students. You can enroll in a distance learning program that offers an academic concentration that fits your interests. You can boost your résumé and develop the skills you will need for your ideal career. Some of the top specializations online criminal justice you might consider are:

Featured Programs

  • cybercrime
  • homeland security
  • crime scene investigation
  • supervision and management
  • business administration.

 1. Cybercrime

Technology is constantly evolving, and so is crime. Do you want to specialize in law enforcement involving digital crimes? Then an academic concentration in cybercrime can help you accomplish this goal.  According to U.S. News & World Report, among the courses that teach you how to identify and investigate crimes involving computer technology, are:

  • network security fundamentals
  • cyberforensics

 2. Homeland Security

If you have always dreamed of working as a special agent to protect your nation, then one of these top specializations for online criminal justice students is the perfect fit for you. In a concentration in homeland security, you take courses in counterterrorism and behavioral dimensions of disaster to learn about national defense, according to U.S. News & World Report.

 3. Crime Scene Investigation

Do you want to work as a crime scene investigator? Crime scene technician? Forensic analyst? You could benefit from choosing a program that offers a specialization in crime scene investigation. You’ll learn the skills you need to achieve success in a role in forensics with courses such as:

  •  introduction to forensics
  • crime scene photography
  • crime scene management
  • computer & cyber forensics.

 4. Supervision and Management

Want to rise through the ranks of law enforcement to a leadership role? Supervision and management may be the specialization for online criminal justice students that makes the most sense for you. In this type of concentration you might take classes such as:

  • Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • Supervising and Managing Criminal Justice Personnel
  • Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice Management.

 5. Business Administration

Some of the top specializations for online criminal justice students might not seem obvious at first. An academic concentration in business administration might sound more fitting for a finance or accounting major than a criminal justice major. However, this specialization can help you develop the skills needed for a career in:

  • the Armed Forces
  • Social Services
  • law enforcement administration
  • casework
  • probation and parole

The coursework required in a criminal justice program that includes a business administration specialization might include:

  • business law
  • financial accounting
  • organizational behavior
  • principles of management
  • human resource management.

What concentration you should pursue depends on your career goals and personal interests. Fortunately, there are plenty of possible specializations for online criminal justice students. You just have to find the right distance learning program for your needs.

Related Resources:

30 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Degrees Online

Top 30 Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs (Bachelor’s)

Ultimate Guide to Criminal Justice Degrees and Careers

Brenda Rufener
Author

Julie McCaulley
Expert

Carrie Sealey-Morris
Editor-in-Chief