Are online criminal justice degrees respected compared to on-campus ones by police departments, on hiring, promotion, and pay?
Yes, online criminal justice degrees are often respected when they come from a reputable, accredited school. In Get An Education Online’s FAQ, most diplomas do not specifically say “online,” so employers usually see the school name and degree, not the class format. SHRM reported that 79% of employers had hired online degree applicants within the last year.
The real issue is not online versus on-campus alone. Police departments, like other employers, tend to care more about school reputation, accreditation, and whether the degree fits the job than about where you sat for class.
Are online criminal justice degrees respected?
Yes, they can be respected, especially when the school has a solid reputation and the program is properly recognized. The degree format does not automatically tell an employer whether you are prepared.
That matters in criminal justice because hiring teams often want to know whether your education is credible, relevant, and completed at a school they trust. If the school is weak, the format will not save it.
Do police departments care if the degree was online?
Usually, police departments care less about the delivery format and more about the degree itself, the school behind it, and whether the program matches department expectations. Many departments also look at your experience, academy training, certifications, and interview performance.
| Factor | Online criminal justice degree | On-campus criminal justice degree | What usually matters most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiring | Often accepted if the school is reputable | Often accepted | Accreditation, school reputation, and job requirements |
| Promotion | Can help if the department values education | Can help if the department values education | Department policy, performance, and tenure |
| Pay | May help where education incentives exist | May help where education incentives exist | Local pay scale and education rules |
A diploma often does not say “online.” That means the employer usually sees the school name and degree and makes a judgment from there.
Will an online criminal justice degree help with hiring?
Yes, it can help with hiring if the program fits the role and the school is respected. It is not a guarantee, but it can absolutely be part of a strong application.
SHRM’s survey is a helpful signal here: 79% of employers said they had hired online degree applicants within the last year. That does not mean every police department treats every school the same, but it does show that online degrees are widely accepted by employers.
The safest approach is to treat the degree as one piece of the file, not the whole file. Your application still needs a clean record, relevant experience, and a strong understanding of the department’s hiring process.
Can an online criminal justice degree affect promotion and pay?
Sometimes, but only if the department’s rules give education a role in advancement or compensation. Promotion and pay are usually driven by department policy, rank structure, performance, and years of service, so the degree format is often less important than whether the degree is accepted.
That means an online criminal justice degree may help in one department and have little effect in another. If your agency offers education points, tuition reimbursement, or degree-based pay steps, ask exactly how an online degree is counted.
If you are already working in law enforcement, do not assume a degree automatically leads to a raise or promotion. Ask for the written policy before you enroll.
CAUTION
Walk away if a school promises guaranteed hiring, guaranteed promotion, guaranteed pay increases, or guaranteed completion timelines. Those claims are a red flag, because employer decisions and department policies are not controlled by the school.
What should you verify before you enroll?
You should verify the school, the program, and the department’s rules before you commit. This is the best way to avoid paying for a degree that does not help with your actual goal.
Check these items first:
- Accreditation and reputation
- Whether the degree matches the department’s education requirement
- Any required in-person training, labs, or fieldwork
- Total cost, not just the monthly payment
- Transfer-credit policy if you already have college credits
- Whether the department accepts online degrees for hiring, promotion, or education pay
- Whether the program is designed for working adults with your schedule
If a school cannot clearly explain these points, keep looking. A good program should make the requirements easy to understand.
What questions should you ask a police department?
You should ask direct questions before you enroll. That gives you a better answer than guessing.
Use these questions with HR, a recruiter, or a supervisor:
- Do you accept online criminal justice degrees for hiring?
- Do you treat online and on-campus degrees the same for promotion?
- Is there a pay difference for a bachelor’s or master’s degree?
- Does the school need to be from a specific accreditation type?
- Are there any programs you do not accept?
- Do any courses, internships, or training components need to be in person?
- Does your department offer education reimbursement or tuition assistance?
- How is education documented in your promotion process?
If they cannot answer clearly, ask for the policy in writing. That protects you from making a costly assumption.
What is the safest bottom line?
Online criminal justice degrees are commonly respected when the school is reputable and the program is aligned with your career goal. For police departments, hiring managers usually care more about credibility, fit, and policy than about whether you took classes online or on campus.
If you want the degree to help with hiring, promotion, or pay, do the homework first. Compare school reputation, ask the department direct questions, and make sure the program fits your exact path before you enroll.
A degree should move you forward, not leave you with more uncertainty.