You will probably want to look into attending a police academy when you get close to 21. Until then you can start attending college because detectives usually are required to have a 4-year degree. I don’t think it has to be in criminal justice. A forensic science degree is a biology degree with a certificate in forensics. I think any university is okay, but one thing you should be aware of is the difference between universities and the emphasis of their CJ degrees. Some are sociology based, like counseling. Others emphasis law enforcement. Both have the name criminal justice, but which one you pick would depend on your goals. Check with an advisor in many CJ departments before deciding on which one you will attend. There are also many different names for these degrees. Criminology, criminalistics, criminal justice, sociology with Criminal justice for instance.

I would check the degree plan, talk to an advisor (in both the police academy and college of CJ), and find a college you really like.

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas has a good Criminal Justice Program. You can also do a search online to see what programs are available in other universities.

maximum respected establishments won’t settle for credit from Penn Foster. Frankly you could save money via beginning at an area college and then shifting to a 4 year college of your decision that has an articulation contract with that college. some places could settle for a pair of Penn Foster credit yet what are the opportunities of them being close to you or universities you extremely desire to attend.

FIND A COLLEGE AND LOOK AT THE INSTRUCTORS CREDENTIALS OR BACKGROUND–SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE TEACHING TO UNDERSTAND FULLY ALL THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE