The Worst Reasons to Not Earn a Criminal Justice Degree Online

There are a thousand reasons people choose not to go to or return to school: The rent is due. I’m too tired. I need to spend time with my kids. I just don’t want to do it. These may or may not be legitimate obstacles to online education. But for those who really do want to attend the best online criminal justice schools, it takes more than the words to hold them back.

I don’t have the time

Not having the time to fully dedicate one’s self to school is the longest-standing excuse for avoiding adult education. But unless you’re a single parent with a full-time job and a sleeping disorder, time is no barrier to continued education. The beauty of online programs is that many allow a prolonged degree path and are tailored to part-time students. You might not be able to schedule twenty hours of homework and a drive to campus five days per week, but you can squeeze a team chat and a couple of chapters into your hectic life. It might not be easy, but Internet university programs are perfect for the ultra-busy student.

I don’t have the money

College is expensive. And while it’s never advisable to take out loans for items or services beyond a consumer’s means, most college students need some sort of financial assistance to complete a degree. Thankfully, many colleges offering Criminal Justice degrees via online programs are fully accredited and therefore afford potential students eligibility for federal loans and grants. Said opportunities may not cover all of your expenses, but the fear of monetary barriers is no excuse.

But I don’t want to get my degree from an online institution

The stigma of Internet education has been all but eliminated by the value of online degrees offered by respectable universities, but brand recognition still counts, and many online programs are not well known. Fortunately, many traditional, brick-and-mortar institutions have begun to offer their programs on an online basis. Look into the online criminal justice programs offered by Penn State University, Colorado Tech University and Portland State University. Each of these prominent institutions offer online-only degrees.

It will take forever

If you are already in the workforce or raising a family, the prospect of obtaining an education can be all the more daunting. You might not be able to take sixteen credits per semester or cram intensive courses into those precious summer months, but if you have patience and determination, spreading the course load over an extra year or two of schooling might be viable in the short-run and a worthy investment over the long haul.

I’m perfectly happy where I am

Even if you are content with your job now, would you be perfectly happy to be doing the same thing in five years? The idea of starting a new degree might be intimidating, especially if you’re anxious to kickstart your career right now. But imagine yourself in another four or five years, still without that Criminal Justice degree. Now imagine yourself in a new career, making more money, with the added benefit of the confidence and satisfaction of knowing you set and attained a worthy goal.

Applying to college can be a frightening experience. For adults looking to upgrade their skill set, it can be terrifying. But the hard work required to complete a degree is justified by the sense of accomplishment and pride that come from earning a degree.