Federal Student Loans for Online College Students

Federal student loans offer distance learners the opportunity to pay for their online class tuition without draining their bank accounts or seeking additional employment. By filling out a single online application, you might qualify for federal student loans with reasonable interest rates and terms.

Federal Student Loan Benefits

Many banks offer private student loans. However, federal student loans are almost always the best choice for students who qualify. Federal student loans generally offer the lowest interest rates available. Federal loan borrowers are also given generous terms and might be able to defer loan payments if they return to college or are facing hardship.

Types of Federal Student Loans

The federal government offers several financial aid opportunities for students. Some of the most common federal student loans include:

Federal Perkins Loans: These loans offer a very low interest rate and are available to students who demonstrate “exceptional financial need.” The government pays the interest on Federal Perkins Loans while the student is enrolled in school and for a nine-month grace period following graduation. Students begin making payments after the grace period.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans: Federal direct loans feature a low interest rate. The government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the student is enrolled in school and during a six-month grace period after graduation. Students begin making payments after the grace period.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Unsubsidized loans also feature a low interest rate. However, these loans begin accumulating interest as soon as the loan money is dispersed. After graduation students have a six-month grace period before their first payment is due.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans: The Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students is available for parents who intend to pay for their child’s education. Parents must pass a credit check or have a qualified cosigner. The first payment is due after the loan is disbursed.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate and Professional Degree Students: Adult students may also take out PLUS loans after exhausting the limits for other federal loan options. Students must pass a credit check or have a cosigner. Interest begins accumulating after the loan is disbursed. However, students may ask for a payment deferment while they are in school. In the case of a deferment, the first payment is due 45 days after the end of the deferment period.

Online School Student Loan Laws

Before 2006, many online students were unable to receive federal aid. In 1992, Congress enacted the 50 Percent Rule, mandating that schools qualify as financial aid distributors by offering more than 50 percent of courses in traditional classrooms. In 2006, the law was overturned. Today a growing number of online schools offer federal student aid. To offer aid, schools must still meet requirements, but the percentage of online courses no longer applies.

Online Schools Offering Federal Student Loans

Keep in mind that not all online schools offer federal student loans. To find out if your school is able to distribute student loans, call the school’s financial aid office. You might also search for the college’s federal school code on the federal financial aid website.

Qualifying for Federal Student Loans

To be eligible for federal student loans you must be a U.S citizen with a social security number. You must have a high school diploma, a GED certificate or have passed an alternative exam. You must be enrolled as a regular student working toward a certificate or degree at a school that is eligible to offer federal aid.

Additionally, you must not have certain drug convictions on your record (convictions that happened prior to your eighteenth birthday don’t count, unless you were tried as an adult). You cannot currently be in default for any student loans you already have, or owe the government refund money from grants you were awarded.

If you are a male, you must register for Selective Services.

If you don’t meet these qualifications, it’s still a good idea to discuss your situation with a financial aid counselor. There is some flexibility with the rules. For example, some non-citizens are eligible to apply for federal aid, and students with recent drug convictions may be able to receive aid if they attend drug rehabilitation.

How Much Aid Will You Receive?

The type and amount of federal aid you receive is determined by your online school. Aid amount is based on several factors including your financial need, your year in school and the cost of attendance. If you are a dependent, the government will determine an expected family contribution (how much your family should be expected to contribute, based on your parent’s income). For many students, the entire cost of college attendance can be covered by federal student loans and grants.

Applying for Federal Student Loans

Before applying for federal student loans, set up an in-person or phone appointment with your online school’s financial aid counselor. He or she will be able to offer advice for applying and suggestions for alternative sources of aid (such as scholarships and school-based grants).

Once you’ve collected the needed documents such as social security numbers and tax returns, it’s easy to apply. You will need to fill out a form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be filled out online or on paper.

Using Student Loans Wisely

When you receive your federal aid award, the bulk of the money will be applied to your tuition. Any remaining money will be given to you for other school-related expenses (textbooks, school supplies, etc.) Often, you will be eligible to receive more money than is necessary. Try to use as little money as possible and return any money you do not need. Remember, student loans must be repaid.

Once you finish your online education, you will begin student loan repayment. At this point, consider refinancing your student loans so you have one monthly payment at a lower interest rate. Meet with a financial counselor to discuss your options.

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/

The Do's and Don'ts of Taking Summer College Courses as a College Student

This summer, invest in yourself by taking online college classes to earn college credit. By taking your summer college courses online, you can learn anywhere, anytime – and at your own pace.

Here are the essential do’s and don’ts of taking summer college courses:

DO - Consider Online Summer Courses

Consider the flexibility and convenience that online summer courses offer a busy college student. Even if your summer plans include a job, you can still keep a full work schedule when you take classes online.

Online college courses give you the freedom to study any time of the day or night. By taking online courses this summer, you can start whenever you want and complete your required college courses at your own pace  – allowing you to fit your summer academic goals within the confines of your work, family or social calendar.

"With the online revolution in education, there’s no reason to pay name brand prices for generic courses when store brands will suffice."

DON'T - Assume You're Too Busy to Complete Courses During Break

Assume that you are too busy to make academic progress during the summer. You’ll find that online college courses allow you to hunker down and move through material when you have time, and back off when you don’t.

Tip: Keep this process going, and over the course of a few weeks or months, you may be surprised by how many college courses you have successfully completed and how many college credits you have managed to earn at ultra affordable prices.

DO - Complete General Education Courses & Prerequisites

Complete required general education courses or prerequisites for your major by taking online classes this summer. With the online revolution in education, there’s no reason to pay name brand prices for generic courses when store brands will suffice.

DON'T - Forget to Verify Credit Transfer

Take online college classes without verifying first if the school to which you’d like to transfer will accept those college courses for full academic credit. While many colleges and universities do accept ACE Credit recommended courses for transfer, not all of them do.

Tip: It’s your job to verify that your school will accept ACE Credit recommended courses for transfer – and get it in writing to avoid any hassles later on. High quality online college course providers will have Student Advisors who can help guide you through this process.

    "You can conveniently take college courses for credit online that are equal to or above the required standards at on-campus colleges and universities."

DO - Take Advantage of Alternative College Credit Providers

Take advantage of the low cost structure of online college course providers. These days, you can start taking college courses online for as little as $99 per month through StraighterLine and earn fully transferrable college credit.

Remember to check if your college accepts ACE transfer credits. Since over 2,000 colleges and universities do, there’s a good chance yours does as well. (And of course, if you’re taking courses at StraighterLine, those courses are guaranteed to transfer to partner colleges.)

Tip: The more ultra affordable courses you take online through low cost college course providers, the more you save on your degree.

DON'T - Confuse the Quality of Learning Outcomes with Price

You can take college courses for credit online that are equal to or above the required standards at on-campus colleges and universities – and save thousands towards your degree - even more when you factor in the average annual cost of tuition, room, and board is $20,900 at a public institution and $45,370 at private ones, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Tip: Many accredited colleges and universities, in fact, have transfer agreements with online college course providers, community colleges, and international schools that are based exclusively on learning outcomes. These degree programs are part of the competency-based education movement.
DO - Take Courses Not Available at Your School

Take online college courses you were prevented from taking at your current college due to over-subscription issues or because life got in the way. Due to budget cuts, many colleges and universities are being forced to “ration” some of their most popular and/or required courses.

DON'T - Delay Your Graduation Goals

Delay your graduation just because you don’t have access to a required course or had to withdraw. Consider this: online summer college classes don’t fill up and don’t have quotas.

Tip: With online college courses, you can quickly and affordably take the courses you need this summer, transfer the credits back to your college or university, get back on track to earn your diploma on time – and avoid a mountain of student debt.

Source: https://www.straighterline.com/

Can I Take Online College Classes While I’m Still In High School?

In these contemporary times, technological advancements have made it possible for college students to take courses online rather than confining themselves to the traditional classroom. Being able to engage in distance learning is advantageous for numerous reasons, including the fact that you have greater job flexibility and more freedom with respect to when you take an exam. And while taking online college classes can be beneficial for college students, they can benefit high school students as well.

Taking Online Courses While In High School

Although some people may think that only students who have already graduated from high school can take online college courses, this is not the case. Some institutions-such as Liberty University-have a dual enrollment program which enables high school students to maintain enrollment in both a secondary and post-secondary institution. Another institution-Oregon State-offers high school students an opportunity to take over 40 classes in subjects like philosophy, calculus, German, art, wildlife conservation, atmospheric sciences, and studies in women, gender, and sexuality. The online classes are taken through distance education, which the students receive primarily through video or Web. With these programs and others like it, high school students have the opportunity to earn college credit before graduating high school.

Benefits of Taking College Courses Early

If you are uncertain about whether or not you should take online college classes in high school, think about some of the benefits that doing so can afford you:

You Can Cut College Costs

There are at least two ways that taking online college courses during high school can cut your college costs. First, students can enroll in a dual credit program. With this option, the student can earn high school and college credit simultaneously. In such cases, the online courses are taken for free. Additionally, students can save money by taking online courses from a community college. The fees involved in taking a community college online course are often substantively lower than what you would pay at a state or private institution. After taking one or several courses at a community college, the student can subsequently transfer their credits to a four-year school.

Your Summer Can Be More Meaningful.

Students often spend their summer working jobs to help save for college. However, these jobs are usually not geared towards the career path they want to pursue. In recognizing that taking online college classes will save money in the long run, however, high school students might be able to convince their parents to cover the cost of the courses in recognition of the fact that they’ll have to pay less out of pocket later.

You’ll Be More Prepared For College Level Work

In discussing the fact that taking online college courses in high school can help prepare a student for college level work, education reporter Devon Haynie noted that doing so will help students “get a sense of what will be expected in a college course.” Unfortunately, many of today’s students are simply not prepared for college-level work. Yet by taking online classes, they can begin familiarizing themselves with college material and gain confidence regarding their ability to perform well on tests.

Conclusion

If you are a high school student who is interested in taking online college classes, you should consider doing so. In order to determine which program is right for you, speak with your local high school counselor or go online and research universities that offer online courses. You might also consider taking courses offered by online universities, but be certain that you will receive college credit for every course that you take. In so doing, you’ll make sure to get the most out of your educational experiences.

Source: http://www.top10onlinecolleges.org/

5 Classes You Should Take Online...and 5 You Shouldn't

Learning to manage your class schedule is important in college, but it's not easy. Taking some of your classes online can save time, money and sanity, but it's not always best. You might miss some things, like social interaction or hands-on activities, but sometimes online really is the better option. So which classes should you take online and which should you take in person?

Classes You Should Take Online

The following are a list of classes that typically don't require much guidance from a professor, other than providing you with the resources and materials necessary to learn the subject matter. For that reason, if you're interested in a more flexible schedule, these courses may be worth taking online:
Social Science

Most social science courses, such as sociology, humanities, anthropology, and others, explore the inner workings of societies past and present. Requiring mostly reading, short essays, discussions, and reflection on personal experiences, social science courses often don't require much support from professors. If you can stay on top of deadlines and assignments, you should have no problem successfully completing one of these courses online.

Health Education

Most colleges require that you take a basic sex education, physical wellness, or alcohol education class during your first few years. These classes, while informative, don't necessarily help with your major or lead towards a career path. If you can take a required health education class online, do it. It will likely be little effort and may give you more time to study for other classes. Health 101: Principles of Health is online course that you can take on your own time - just learn from home and transfer credits to your school.

Art/Music Appreciation

In order to complete any degree, you usually need to take a course in the arts. If you have no desire to take a hands-on art or music class, most colleges offer courses such as art/music history or appreciation online. These courses provide you with information about different art/music movements and their evolution over time. The curricula typically require reading, some researching, and the ability to identify different works of art or instrumental sounds. The fastest way to satisfy this requirement is with Art 101: Art of the Western World. Learn on your phone and on your own schedule!

Basic History

This does not apply to higher-level history courses that emphasize class discussion or collaborative analysis. However, some introductory history courses consist mostly of memorizing facts, places, and dates. Memorization doesn't necessarily require class participation, so taking the class online probably won't change the experience for you. Great history courses to take online include History 101: Western Civilization I, History 102: Western Civilization II, History 103: US History I, and History 104: US History II.

General Education Courses

Not every single general education course can be taken easily online, but sometimes it's for the best. Check to see if pass/fail is an option, then work towards passing the class online, just to get it out of the way. If it's not something you'll use in the future for classes in your major or a topic you find particularly interesting, spending time on it that could be spent on other classes probably isn't wise. Study.com's general education courses lead to quick credit you can transfer to your school. With Study.com, you can earn credit in under two weeks and knock out your gen eds in just a few months.

Classes You Should Not Take Online

Although you might be interested in knocking out some of the more difficult courses offered online, it's smarter to take them in person. They often require extra support and guidance from a professor. If possible, try to avoid taking the following classes online:

English

In high school, English classes might have been all about reading and answering questions on a quiz. In college, however, English is mostly discussion. Without serious effort or video chats, online discussion classes are hard to manage. Also, English courses tend to teach you a lot about essay writing, which you will use for most of your classes as you go through college.

Languages

To truly learn a language, you have to speak it, hear it, and make mistakes only to be corrected. While this is possible when using an online program, it is far more difficult. Conversing with other students and your teachers in the language you are learning is one of the best ways to progress in your studies. Just clicking on right answers or listening to people speak without responding simply won't get you there as fast.

Sciences

While a lot of science is fact memorization, a lot more of it in college is applying those facts. Without performing experiments yourself, understanding concepts can be more difficult. Learning on your own can also be more expensive. The tools you need to perform certain tests can cost a bundle. Why pass up using them for cheap or for free in your college's own lab?

Medical

If you've chosen to go into the medical field, you probably already know there's a specific method for doing everything, and you need to get it exactly right. You can know the right answer every time, but without gaining hands-on experience and doing things for yourself, you won't get better. It's safer for future patients and better for your future classes if you're there in person to watch others do things before attempting them yourself.

Courses for Your Major

If you know you need a class for your major, do not take it online. As you move up from class to class over the years, you often have to look back and learn from what you've already done. If you haven't been in classes to discuss and figure out your problem areas, future classes will just keep getting harder and harder. If you're not sure a class is necessary for your major, ask yourself if it covers a concept or skill you'll use in your college or working-world career. If the answer is yes, consider taking it in person.

Source: https://study.com/

5 Ugly Truths About Taking Classes Online

There is no doubt about it—online learning is awesome! It provides a world of opportunity for students who otherwise could not easily access a college education. But there are some ugly truths about taking classes online that students need to be aware of before they register.

Work Load

In a traditional classroom, students can choose when they wish to participate in discussions. If they feel they have nothing significant to add or, dare I say, they didn’t get through all of the reading for that class period, they can stay silent, yet still learn from what their professor and peers contribute.   But in an online class, students must submit meaningful discussion postings to all of the topics which the professor assigns. That means there is no slacking off if too many responsibilities fill your calendar that week—you still must be prepared to offer insight into the discussion. This often ends up being more work than students anticipate. Preparing yourself for a heavier work load will go a long way towards making the class more enjoyable. 

Professor Availability

Another misnomer about taking classes online is that students will have access to their professor all the time, unlike in a brick and mortar classroom where they can usually only see them during class time or office hours.   But professors have many obligations, just as students do. They are real people attempting to balance their work and home lives. They most likely teach several classes each semester, meaning that their work schedule cannot be devoted to only the students in your class. It’s especially important to keep this in mind when taking an online class where the professor lives in a different part of the country than you do. The differences in their time zone will determine when they are online verses when you are. 

Assignment Timelines

When students take a traditional class, they know that they must look ahead so that they can ask questions regarding assignments before the due date, since they may not see their professor again until the final submission date. But, for some reason, when students take classes online they often feel it’s appropriate to wait to look at the assignment guidelines until the day of (or just a couple of hours before) the deadline.   If you get into this habit you will end up frustrated and angry because your questions probably won’t get answered in time. Remember, just because you are online right before an assignment is due doesn’t mean the professor is. Make sure that you take responsibility for your learning and budget your time wisely  from the first assignment on, so that you can move through the class with ease. 

Technical Requirements

Universities and colleges want students to succeed. That is why they make it very clear what types of technical resources a student must have easy access to before registering for online classes. And yet, students often register for these classes when they know that they don’t have access to reliable internet or when they can’t afford a specific computer program necessary for the class.   If you are considering taking online classes, review the college material on technical requirements carefully. If you don’t have access to certain necessary programs, can you afford to buy them before the online class starts? What will you do if your internet goes down and you have an assignment due? Once you can access a class, find out what common programs, such as Adobe and Flash, are needed to access class materials and then don’t wait until you need them to download them. Install everything that you will need for the semester before it really gets busy. That way you will be prepared. A “Plan B” is always necessary when dealing with technology, and online classes are no different.

Formal Writing Expectations

There is a good deal more writing required in an online class because students can’t respond to assignments or discussions orally like they do in a traditional classroom. This, added with the belief that online classes are less formal and our culture’s addiction to “text speak” can all do irreparable damage to your final grade if you aren’t careful.   What students need to understand is that no matter what they write for the class, the quality of writing makes an impression on their professor. Think about it. Your professor probably will never meet you or even see a picture of you. Your first impression is your writing. Academic writing is required for all online classes, even if such things as grammar and mechanics aren’t spelled out in the syllabus or rubrics. An online class is not the place to disregard all writing conventions or standards. You are not texting friends, tweeting or writing a thank you card to Grandma. You must uphold quality, formal writing standards to be successful taking classes online, no matter what the subject or discipline.   

How to Check the Accreditation Status of Any Online College

Accreditation is the process by which an institution—in this case, an online college or university—is certified to have met standards set by a board of representatives selected from peer institutions. An accredited degree from a certified school of higher education will be accepted by other schools and organizations as well as by prospective employers. Proper accreditation for an online degree can mean the difference between a degree that gets you a new job and a certificate that isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

The two kinds of accreditation are “institutional” and “specialized,” or “programmatic.” Institutional accreditation normally is given to the institution as a whole, though it doesn't mean that all components of the school are of the same quality. Specialized accreditation applies to parts of the school, which may be as large as a college within a university or as small as a curriculum within a discipline.

You can check any online school's accreditation status in less than a minute. Here's how to find out if a school is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education:

Checking United States Department of Education Accreditation Listings

Go to the U.S. Department of Education's (USDE) College Search page. (You also can check the USDE's accreditation database.)

Enter the name of the online school you would like to research. You don't need to enter information in any other field.

Then hit "search." You'll be shown a school or several schools that match your search criteria. Click on the school you're looking for.

The selected school's accreditation information will appear. Make sure this page is about the school you're seeking by comparing the website, phone number, and address information you see at the top left with the information you already have.

You can view the college's institutional or specialized accreditation on this page. Click on the accrediting agency for more information. In addition to accreditation status, this information includes the accrediting agency, the date the school was originally accredited, the most recent accreditation action, and the next review date.

Checking Council for Higher Education Accreditation Listings

You may also use the Council for Higher Education Accreditation's website to search for accredited online institutions. The process is much the same as with the USDE search, though at the CHEA site you must agree to the terms and conditions before reaching the search field. Also, the CHEA page provides less information than the USDE page.

You also can access a chart comparing CHEA and USDE recognition.

Accreditation Doesn't Guarantee Success

Accreditation doesn't guarantee that credit hours will transfer to another institution nor assure acceptance of graduates by employers. That remains the prerogative of the school or prospective employer. The Department of Education recommends that students take other steps to determine if the institution will meet their goals, including asking other schools whether your credits will transfer or asking possible employers if, for example, the institution's courses will count toward a professional license.

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/

How to Be a Successful Online College Student

Transitioning from a traditional classroom to a digital one is becoming more and more common for people seeking a degree. Online college courses present their own unique set of challenges that can seem daunting for students unfamiliar with the idea, as potential students wonder how to be a successful online college student. Don't be intimidated though, the same skills that you have learned in traditional classrooms will translate to success as an online college student. There's no real secret here - if you have good habits like regular studying and working ahead on projects, you will most likely be successful no matter what type of college you decide to attend.
Online College Student

Traits of Successful Online Students

There are a few character traits that may fit better with the style of online education. The primary key to success as an online college student is your own self-motivation. Because it is up to you whether or not you log on and do the work, you must be able to stay on task and not procrastinate. If you are a highly motivated person with great self-discipline, you will accomplish your goals as you attend college online.

Another trait you'll need to be a successful online student is a strong desire to learn. This is the same no matter what type of classroom you're in, but it is particularly true for online courses. Focus on the "why" of your desire to learn - what is the driving factor behind your educational pursuits? Is it more career opportunities? To satisfy intellectual curiosity? No matter the answer, don't lose track of it while you're in the trenches of coursework. This will help you reach the finish line and cross it triumphantly.

Successful students in all types of educational environments share the common traits of self-motivation and intellectual curiosity, as well as a strong independent streak. Online classes are great for people who like to be in control and in the driver's seat. Independent learners thrive in these types of environments. These same traits that you have honed throughout your educational career will serve you well as you step into the online educational arena.

5 Tips for Successful Online Students

1. Create a regular schedule and make sure that you do the coursework! It may seem silly to say, but students can often fall into the trap of procrastination and forgetfulness when classes occur behind a computer screen. While online courses come in many different formats, the basic truth is you must participate to succeed. Planning out your daily coursework and study time is a great way to keep yourself on track in your online classes.

2. Create a relationship with the professor who is teaching the class. It's easy to sit back and be anonymous behind the screen, but you can fast track your success by reaching out to the professor either in group chats, message boards or through the academic email address provided. Be sure to ask questions!

3. Be engaged with other students in the class. On more traditional campuses, you'll often come across groups of students studying together and helping each other succeed. This can still happen in a digital classroom! Try reaching out to your classmates and use tools like messaging and video calls to study together.

4. Manage your calendar and pay attention to deadlines. It is easy to forget that homework is due at midnight or the test link expires at 3pm when your classes happen on a computer. Successful online students are the ones who are diligent to stay on top of their homework and make sure they turn everything in on time.

5. Use the resources that are available to you. Be sure to look around in your online classroom and see what your professor has shared. The university you select likely provides a variety of resources as well - be sure to check out their online library. This library will most likely have things like academic journals and ebooks that can help you in your research. Another wonderful thing about using technology to learn is that you can search for threads and forums about your class and probably find some answers and insight from previous and current students. You may even be able to find online flashcards that cover the subjects that you need to learn! There is so much information available digitally. Taking the time to look for it will help you succeed.

Online College Courses

Online courses offer the flexibility and affordability that works well for many students. The price of college tuition seems to keep rising, leaving financial aid unable to spread as far. The good news is that online college courses are the perfect solution to these issues! Since you don't have to pay for things like meal plans and parking permits, online classes are often more affordable for students on a budget.

Flexibility with your daily schedule is another great benefit of taking online courses. Online courses are easy to fit in around your work or other responsibilities. The traditional format of dedicating 2-4 years of your life living on or near a college campus and spending many hours per day sitting in a classroom just doesn't make sense for the fast pace of today's society. Depending on how the class is structured, you will be able to attend lectures and participate in discussions when it's convenient for you.

Online courses are also accessible to anyone with access to a computer and the internet. Traditional classrooms can sometimes lack adequate accommodations, like desks for students with mobility aids or transcripts of audio information for students with hearing impairments. With classes offered online, the power of technology makes a quality education accessible for anyone who wants to learn. Students with learning disabilities or related disorders like ADD/ADHD may also find that online classes are better suited for their individual needs.

Online Criminal Justice Degree

Online criminal justice degrees are a great option due to the wide variety of careers that are available to students who graduate with one. From jobs like forensic nurses to police officers to cyber security positions, there are many interesting ways to apply your degree. This path also opens the door to many options for graduate school and post-graduate work. Interested in becoming a judge? Criminal justice gives you a solid foundation for that and many other exciting jobs.

As a criminal justice student, you will be taking classes in subjects like criminal law, statistics, corrections, methods of research, and many special topics. If you discover a particular area that you are fascinated by, you may be able to specialize in that branch of criminal justice. There are many different types of criminal justice degree paths, so be sure to consult with your academic advisor to find the perfect fit for you.

Another great thing about criminal justice degrees is that you can find jobs with any level of degree. There are associate's degrees, bachelor's, master's, and doctorates available with plenty of opportunities for each. With an associate's degree, you will be equipped to work in professions like policing or immigration. Bachelor's open the door to a broader field with careers like information security analyst or a federal agencies like the FBI. Master's and doctorates help you specialize and advance in your chosen field.

Online Schools for Criminal Justice

Liberty University

Liberty University is a non-profit university located in Virginia. Consistently ranked in the top five online colleges for accessibility, affordability and academic quality; Liberty offers a Bachelor of Criminal Justice that can be completed online. The flexibility of their online criminal justice program is quite convenient, with no set login times and eight different start dates each year. It takes 120 hours, but only 30 hours must be taken through Liberty, so you can transfer in up to 90 hours of coursework if you already have some college credits. The undergraduate tuition rate for the 2017-18 academic year is $455 per credit hour for part-time students and $390 per credit hour for full-time students. The graduate tuition rate for the 2017-18 academic year is $615 per credit hour for part-time students and $565 per credit hour for full-time students. Liberty University's online program offers students the chance to learn the entire criminal justice system from top to bottom. With a practical approach and multiple specializations, students can prepare for their own chosen career path.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a college that wants to see students succeed. Their online program offers students access to faculty members with firsthand knowledge of the criminal justice field. With interesting classes like Emergency and Disaster Management and Psychopaths, Sociopaths and Serial Killers; SNHU has plenty of options for students to choose from. One of the best parts of SNHU is their affordability. The online undergraduate programs are only $320 per credit hour, and $960 per course (subject to change). Their tuition is typically one of the lowest in the nation, and they have financial aid available as well.

Colorado State University Global Campus

Colorado State University Global Campus has designed professionally relevant degrees for working adults that are offered fully online. Their tuition rates haven't increased in six years, and they offer a tuition guarantee - that your rates won't go up while you're an active student. Their undergraduate rates are $350 per credit and graduate is $500 per credit. At CSU-Global, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice offers students the chance to learn about both traditional subjects like the justice system and contemporary issues like cybercrime and technology. CSU-Global also offers the ability to specialize in a particular area, if you have an interest in a related topic like criminology or criminal forensics. With customization and affordability, this is an ideal program for students looking for a great deal on online education. You'll gain experience and knowledge at CSU-Global that will prepare you to enter the criminal justice field.

Source: https://www.criminaljusticeprograms.com/