Online Criminal Justice Degree
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The criminal justice sector may offer a wide range of opportunities for students who want to contribute to their community in areas such as law enforcement operations, community policing and security management. The bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program emphasizes the development of communication and professional skills and technical knowledge. The criminal justice courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to establish a foundation in the areas of corrections, administration of justice, criminological theory, law adjudication and law enforcement.
This online criminal justice degree program:
- Offers a general track or concentrations in forensic investigations (on campus only) or human services (on campus and online)
- Has CTU Fast Track™ exams available - a series of mini modules designed to test your knowledge of key course objectives, offering the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know
- Is ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report for the ninth year in a row*
At CTU, students come first. Our flexible online course schedules are designed to help you to build a class schedule around your schedule. And with grants and scholarships available for those who qualify, a degree from CTU can be both achievable and affordable. Learn more below or fill out the form to speak with an admissions advisor.
We're Flexible So You Can Be Too
In CTU’s criminal justice degree program degree program, students come first. Our flexible online course schedule helps you to build a class schedule around your schedule. And with grants and scholarships available for those who qualify, a degree from CTU can be both achievable and affordable. Learn more below or fill out the form to speak with an admissions advisor.
* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs.
Relevant Institutional/Programmatic Accreditation
CTU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission www.hlcommission.org
CLASSES START
- January 02, 2024
- February 06, 2024
- March 19, 2024
TOTAL CREDITS
PROGRAM AVAILABILITY
- Online
- Colorado Springs
Program Details
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Total tuition for this degree program will vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.
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Degree Requirements
Courses: General Education
CreditsCourse Title Course Description Credit Hours CJUS261 Ethics in Criminal Justice 4.5 COMS105 Interpersonal Communications 4.5 or COMS203 Speech Communications 4.5 GOVT201 American Government and Public Affairs 4.5 ENGL104 Introductory Written Communication 4.5 ENGL105 Professional Written Communications 4.5 HIST101 Modern American History: 1950 to the 21st Century 4.5 MATH102 Introduction to College Math 4.5 MATH106 Algebra for Business 4.5 PHIL101 Introduction to Ethics 4.5 PSYC102 Introductory Psychology 4.5 SCI101 Introduction to the Sciences 4.5 SCI103 Science and Technology- Laboratory Course 1.5 SCI201 Environmental Science and Sustainability 4.5 SCI203 Environmental Science and Sustainability - Laboratory Course 1.5 SOCL102 Introductory Sociology 4.5 UNIV104 Academic and Career Success 4.5 Total Credit Hours: 66 Courses: Core
CreditsCourse Title Course Description Credit Hours CJUS141 Introduction to Criminal Justice 4 CJUS201 Law Enforcement Operations and Report Writing 4 CJUS254 Introduction to Homeland Security 4 CJUS263 American Corrections 4 CJUS280 Victimology 4 CJUS285 Juvenile Delinquency 4 CJUS290 Criminal Law 4 CJUS343 Criminology 4 CJUS375 Criminal Procedure 4 CJUS440 The Laws of Evidence 4 PBAD201 Public Administration 4 PSYC210 Social Psychology 4 PSYC337 Abnormal Psychology in the Workplace 4 UNIV201 Career Planning and Management 4 Total Credit Hours: 56 Courses: Concentration
CreditsCourse Title Course Description Credit Hours CJFI360 Introduction to Criminalistics 4 CJUS430 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice 4 CJUS448 Criminal Investigation 4 CJUS460 Interview and Interrogation 4 CJUS484 Criminal Justice Capstone 4 Select 40 credit hours of electives from the list below 40 Total Credit Hours: 60 Courses: Elective Choices
CreditsCourse Title Course Description Credit Hours CJFI430 Medico-Legal Death Investigations 4 CJHS311 Study of Alcohol Use and Abuse 5 CJHS315 Child Abuse 4 CJUS350 Community Corrections 4 CJUS352 Community Policing 4 CJUS354 Criminal Courts 4 CJUS356 Loss Prevention 4 CJUS360 Legal Elements of Fraud 4 CJUS380 White Collar and Financial Crimes 4 CJUS420 Family and Domestic Violence 4 CJUS422 Probation and Parole 4 CJUS424 Constitutional Law 4 CJUS434 Terrorism and Organized Crime 4 CJUS450 Forensic Criminology 4 Total Credit Hours: 182
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Next Steps
Program details are provided lower on the page.
Classes start January 2, 2024 *
*Start dates may vary by program and location.
What Students Are Saying About Their CTU Experience
With CTU, you know that the teachers really care. It was very touching to me and I appreciated knowing I wasn’t alone during this journey.
Unique B., Former Student 2021 Graduate, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
CTU has some of the most amazing faculty. Without them and their willingness to help, I do not believe I would have made it this far.
Jennifer G., Former Student 2021 Graduate, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
I love how [the] CTU staff takes their time to make sure each student is on the right track. The professors are really nice and you can tell they love what they do.
Nekia J., Former Student Graduate 2022, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
FAQs
CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the workforce. This bachelor’s degree program emphasizes the development of communication and professional skills and technical knowledge. The criminal justice courses are planned to provide students with the opportunity to establish a foundation in the areas of corrections, administration of justice, criminological theory, law adjudication, and law enforcement, so upon graduation students may be able to effectively contribute as professionals to a variety of roles as they work to transition into a career.
As you work to complete your BSCJ, you will be immersed in courses where you may study these topics and much more: criminal court systems; nature and scope of white collar and financial crimes; probation and parole systems in the United States; and crime scene analysis and management.
Courses for the BSCJ start online and on our Colorado Springs and Denver South campuses approximately every five weeks. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
The BSCJ degree program consists of 182 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. You can also complete CTU Fast Track™ exams to receive college credit for what you already know—allowing you to complete your degree program up to 30% faster.1
1 The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
Through innovative industry-relevant curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, you will study through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the needs of law enforcement roles and potential opportunities.