Criminal Justice Degree Online

College of Professional Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice offers the student a unique and rewarding opportunity to prepare for a challenging career in this developing field. It may also serve as preparation for further academic and professional study.

Admissions Requirement
Undergraduate admission is based on many factors, including previous academic performance, satisfactory achievement on standardized tests, personal recommendations, and other indications of an applicant’s interests, motivation, and potential.

Graduation Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice requires the completion of a minimum of 126 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative quality point index of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.Course Areas Credits
Core Requirements 27
Criminal Justice 36
Distributed Core & Other Non-Major Requirements 63

Download the Degree Requirements
Download the College of Professional Studies bulletin

View the Program Goals for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Financial Aid Available
If you are wondering how to finance your college education, St. John’s University provides substantial need and merit based scholarships from its own funds as well as government supported financial aid. Students applying for need based funds must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually to determine eligibility. Merit based awards are offered to students who meet the academic criteria.

Prospective students are encouraged to check with their employers about tuition reimbursement programs, and uniformed police officers are eligible to receive a special discount. In addition, military personnel are advised to check with military advisers to determine eligibility for tuition benefits available through the armed forces. Prospective students can contact Antonio Lodato
Asst Dean/Dir Even/Wkend Prog, for additional information via email at lodatoa@stjohns.edu or call (718) 990-5974.

The Department of Criminal Justice offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Education in Correctional Education, and Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice prepares students for occupational entry as well as for further study and or research. Students interested in the private security industry may choose to obtain a concentration in Private Security Administration. The undergraduate minor in Criminal Justice enhances the preparation of students in many disciplines who are interested in Criminal Justice.

The growing emphasis on homeland security in the United States has created an increased demand for criminal justice professionals. In fact, in the next few years, jobs in the criminal justice field are expected to increase by more than 20 percent.

Post University graduates in Criminal Justice understand the way in which the criminal justice and juvenile justice system operates, the legal framework within which the justice system operates, and the concepts of ethics and professionalism required in criminal justice. Students study criminal procedure, law enforcement, juvenile justice, security, etc. to gain the knowledge and skills required of professionals in law enforcement, security, and justice and corrections administration.

Post graduates are prepared to enter into careers as federal agents, state troopers, police officers, probation and parole officers, corporate security, correctional counselors, officers, and professional staff.

The fast-paced expansion of all areas of the criminal justice system is creating a demand for skilled workers as never before in local, state and federal systems, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Today’s criminal justice workforce must be knowledgeable and skilled in every component of the system to address the public’s demand for protection and services. Educated and skilled individuals are needed, from the traditional roles of law enforcement, security and corrections, to work with victim advocacy, juveniles and social services.

The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice (ASCJ) degree program is designed to prepare you to enter the criminal justice profession in a variety of first-tier positions. You will be exposed to the foundational areas of the discipline: investigation and law enforcement, law and courts, and corrections and parole. The program also addresses juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system.

The ASCJ satisfies the requirements for the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

What skills can I learn?
Students who successfully complete the ASCJ degree program should be able to:
Use the theory and historical perspectives of law enforcement, corrections, criminal law, and the courts.
Describe the various theories of crime and the foundations of the criminal justice environment.
Demonstrate general, foundational knowledge of human behavior.
Demonstrate proficient math and communications skills.

What are some possible career opportunities?
The ASCJ degree program can help you qualify for entry-level positions in the areas of law enforcement, legal assisting, corrections, dispatching, court services, security, juvenile and victim advocacy, family court work, child and youth work, loss prevention, fraud investigation, court administration, homeland security, crisis work, customs, juvenile correction work, and court-appointed special advocacy.

Additional education and /or experience and a clean criminal record may be required for employment in some positions.

Built-in CTU Academic Certificates
The ASCJ degree program includes the following built-in Academic Certificates:
Corrections Technician
Domestic Violence
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These CTU Academic Certificates can be earned without additional courses.

The criminal justice system is comprised mainly of three social control agencies: the police, the courts, and corrections. Although each of these is independent of the others, all three work together toward the common goal of controlling crime while ensuring justice. The academic study of the criminal justice system is concerned with the nature and extent of crime, as well as the reactions of those social control agencies toward the breaking of the law.

The criminal justice major is intended for students planning graduate study or careers in public and community service, including law, public administration, law enforcement (local, state, and federal), courts, corrections, juvenile delinquency, probation and parole as well as nonprofit community service organizations.

The Criminal Justice degree prepares students to enter the work force with a Generalist degree or with a specified emphasis in Criminal Justice. The major in Criminal Justice may earn a BA or BS degree. The BA requires a minimum of 43 hours, with 31 hours from the Core group and 12 hours from the Major Elective Group. Students seeking a Criminal Justice degree with an emphasis must complete the 31 hours in the Core group and 18 hours within one of five concentration groups. The Concentration groups are Legal Studies, Corrections/Probation & Parole, Corrections/Juvenile, Law Enforcement, and Law Enforcement Police Academy Option.

The BS degree requires an additional 12-13 hours in Natural Science and Mathematics beyond the BA degree requirement. In addition note that 6 hours of Cross-Cultural is not required for the BS degree.

Students may earn a Criminal Justice minor by completing CJ200, CJ210, CJ310, CJ315 and three additional courses from the following list: CJ300, CJ301, CJ305, CJ311, CJ315 CJ321 or CJ340.

The criminal justice program currently offers the following options for majors:

· Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
(Day and evening programs available)
· Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
(Evening program only)

Program Highlights
. Lindenwood University- Scholarship opportunities
. Employment opportunities
. Field trips
. Internship opportunities- including but not limited to Police Depts., Probation/Parole, Law Offices
. Day and evening program for the undergraduate degree
. Faculty members with practical experience within the criminal justice system
. Professional speakers representing every major component of criminal justice
. Employment opportunities
. Completion of master’s degree in criminal justice within five consecutive quarters
. J-Term to Europe for CJ Majors
. Shooting Team
. Forensics Program (Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with an emphasis in Forensics)
. Criminal Justice Student Association
. Partnership with St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy.

For more information contact:
Criminal Justice Program
209 S. Kingshighway
St. Charles, MO 63301

The field of Criminal Justice builds on criminology, which is a major area of study within the social sciences. Students explore why society considers some actions to be criminal and how those definitions are influenced by social, economic, and psychological forces. They consider questions such as: How do social class, culture, race, gender, age, and sexual orientation lead to an increased likelihood of being involved as a perpetrator or victim of different types of crime? How do a society’s values and structure affect the way that it deals with crime and criminals? To what extent, and how, is crime “normal”? How is the discretion of either a judge or a police officer influenced by social or economic forces? What are the best ways to evaluate criminal justice agencies and policies? The Lasell Criminal Justice graduate will be uniquely qualified to enter graduate programs in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Public Policy, or Law School. A Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice prepares students to apply their learning in such areas as law, law enforcement and public safety, crime prevention, domestic violence, gang interventions, adult and juvenile probation and corrections, parole, drug and alcohol abuse and prevention, and diversion programs for first-time offenders. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Lasell College is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education under the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs. Graduates qualify for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (read more about the Quinn Bill).

All CJ students have the opportunity to take at least one four-credit internship. This type of connected-learning experience provides an invaluable opportunity to explore various aspects of criminal justice and allows students to make valuable contacts in the field. A capstone Senior Seminar helps students to draw upon previous coursework in conducting research and inquiry within a special area of interest.

REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES: (45 Credits – 12 credits of which also
meet Arts and Sciences Requirements)**
Course designation Course name Credits
CJ121 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJ122 Police Patrol Procedures 3
CJ202 Criminal Law 3
CJ223 The Corrections System 3
CJ331 Police Administration 3
CJ332 Probation and Parole 3
CJ333 Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice 3
CJ334 Juvenile Crime & Justice 3
CJ336 Criminal Investigation Procedures 3
CJ447 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 3
PH201 Philosophy 3
PS214 U.S. Government II 3
PY111 General Psychology 3
SY113 Principles of Sociology 3
*The Academy Basic Law Enforcement Course replaces 12 credits open electives and 1 liberal arts
elective
**The following courses meet requirements of both the Major and the Arts and Sciences Core:
PH201 – meets Arts and Sciences Humanities/Philosophy requirement (3 cr.)
PY111 and SY113 meet Arts and Sciences Psychology/Sociology requirements (6 cr.)
PS214 – meets Arts and Sciences History Requirement
Recommended electives:
CJ345 Academy Pre-Service Law Enforcement Course (6 credits)
CJ441 Community and Policing Partnerships
PY326 Marriage and Family
PY332 Social Psychology
PY338 Abnormal Psychology
SC216 Anthropology

Provides students with the communication, analytical and leadership skills, and knowledge needed to make the modern criminal justice organization run as efficiently and effectively as possible. Graduates of the program work in a wide variety of public and private organizations, including positions as law enforcement systems analysts/administrators, law enforcement supervisors, legal office managers, security managers, parole administrators, and corrections supervisors.

The program format provides an environment which employs active learning techniques and gives students the ability to expand their critical thinking and leadership skills while applying course material directly to occupational challenges. Applicant must have three years of significant work experience relevant to this program.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program offered through the Division of Continuing Education at Anna Maria College develops the professionalism and provides the knowledge required for successful careers in the field of criminal justice. Students will study theories of criminology and criminal behavior, and will examine the courts, police, and correctional systems both individually and as they relate to each other.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program follows the traditional semester schedule.
All classes are offered in the evening. Highlights of the Criminal Justice program include:
Faculty who are experts in their fields
Small classes
Acceptance of up to 75 transfer credits. Students transferring a minimum of 60 credits in the appropriate academic areas enter the upper-division program

Students take six core criminal justice courses in the first and second years. In the third and fourth years, students, in consultation with their academic advisor, develop a plan of study which furthers the student’s intellectual interests and professional goals through the choice of six elective courses. A minimum of four electives must be taken in criminal justice. The remaining two may be from criminal justice or related fields such as psychology, social work, legal studies, public policy, political science, and business. Courses include:

Leadership
Researching the Social World
Applied Statistics and Quantitative Analysis
American Legal Systems
Criminal Law and Procedure
Constitutional Law
Criminology
Policing in America
Corrections