University News

WIU LEJA Ranked Best Criminal Justice Degree Program

September 17, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University's School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration's (LEJA) online degree is ranked sixth out of 50 schools across the U.S. as the best online criminal justice degree program by Study.com. Western is the only Illinois institution included in the rankings.

Students majoring in LEJA can obtain their degree by taking classes on WIU's main campus in Macomb or the Quad Cities branch campus, online or a combination of both. WIU's School of LEJA began offering it bachelor's and master's degree programs online several years ago to accommodate working criminal justice professionals, actively deployed military students and non-traditional students.

The School of Law Enforcement was established 50 years ago, in 1979, and boasts more than 13,200 alumni around the globe, and nearly 2,000 students are currently enrolled as LEJA majors and/or minors. The School of LEJA currently offers three Bachelor of Science degrees: Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Fire Protection Services and Emergency Management, as well as a Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration.

"We're pleased to be recognized as a top online criminal justice degree program," said Jill Myers, director of the School of LEJA. "It's important to provide classes and degree opportunities for individuals who want to earn their degree, but due to job and family commitments cannot enroll as a traditional, on campus student. We have many professionals who want to obtain or complete their undergraduate degree, or earn their master's degree, to advance in their respective field. By offering our programs in an online format, we give them the opportunity to continue their education without leaving their community or their jobs."

In addition to the online degree opportunities, WIU's School of LEJA also partners with the Illinois Department of Corrections and community colleges to offer a seamless transition toward their degree and career success.

For the online criminal justice degree ranking, Study.com analyzed such data as type of degree or degrees offered, career possibilities, available financial aid and online support services. Study.com's online degree rankings emphasize accessibility, affordability and quality of education.

According to Study.com, WIU makes it high on the list due to the fact that it offers both an online undergraduate and an online graduate degree in law enforcement and justice administration. Western also offers an integrated BS/MA criminal justice program that allows students to apply undergraduate credits toward a graduate degree.

For more information on WIU LEJA's degree programs, visit wiu.edu/LEJA.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing