Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree
Warner Pacific University’s Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree is geared toward individuals passionate about wanting to improve and protect their communities through reconciliation and reform. Benefitting from WPU’s diverse student body and its range of perspectives, this program—available online—is designed for working adults who have completed some college and are interested in advancing through law enforcement or want to pursue a career in public service, corrections, fish and game, politics, or pre-law.
A minor in Criminal Justice is also available.
Online Criminal Justice Curriculum
WPU’s online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice degree isn’t strictly a practical program. While practicum is required to graduate, the curriculum itself is rooted in the liberal arts, particularly the social sciences.
Working adults beginning this program develop a theoretical foundation for assessing crime and a thorough understanding of the US legal system and criminal justice agencies. From this point, subjects explore ethnic and race relations in a historical context, introduce conflict-resolution techniques, and examine the circumstances, including substance abuse, addiction, trauma, and mental health, that influence certain individuals to commit crimes. As well, the curriculum spends some time on current social problems and the local, state, and federal policies for addressing them, incorporates data analysis, and involves a capstone project. In total, all criminal justice students complete 15 courses totaling to 45 semester credits.
Major Requirements (36 credits)
CJ 300A | Criminology | 3 credits
CJ 310A | The American Legal System | 3 credits
SOC 340A | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 credits
SOC 345A | Social Problems and Public Policy | 3 credits
SOC 360A | Urban Sociology | 3 credits
SS 380A | Conflict Resolution | 3 credits
CJ 395A | Data Analysis for Criminal Justice | 3 credits
CJ 410A | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 credits
SS 420A | Addictions, Mental Health, and Trauma | 3 credits
CJ 430A | Criminal Justice Practicum | 3 credits
CJ 440A | Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 credits
CJ 455A | Restorative Justice | 3 credits
Core Requirements
HUM 310A | Exploring the Human Condition (Prerequisite: EN 111A, 112A) | 3 credits
ILR 300A | Adv Information Literacy & Research (Prerequisite: EN 111A) | 3 credits
REL 320A | Spirituality, Character and Service (Prerequisite: EN 111A, 112A) | 3 credits
Including all major coursework, core courses, electives, and transferred college-level credits, all students must earn a minimum of 120 semester credits to graduate.
Upon successful completion of the major in Criminal Justice graduates will be able to:
- Exhibit knowledge of the historical, philosophical, and theoretical underpinnings of Criminal Justice systems.
- Integrate understandings and practices of spirituality within the discipline of Criminal Justice.
- Describe the interaction of human systems: individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal in reference to Criminal Justice.
- Explain methods, statistics, research, and the application of technology in the field of Criminal Justice.
- Discuss Criminal Justice theories and practice principles as they relate to a restorative justice approach.
- Utilize effective oral and written communication.
- Explain how mental health, addictions, and trauma contribute to criminal activity.
- Evaluate Criminal Justice issues in light of the complexities of national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and cultural relations and the challenges of these social divides.
- Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being.
- Assess the challenges in the Criminal Justice system in light of an urban context.
Minor Requirements (18 credits)
CJ 300A | Criminology | 3 credits
CJ 310A | The American Legal System | 3 credits
CJ 410A | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 credits
CJ 440A | Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 credits
At least 2 courses (6 credits), selected from the following:
SOC 340A | Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
SOC 345A | Social Problems and Public Policy (3)
SOC 360A | Urban Sociology (3)
SS 380A | Conflict Resolution (3)
CJ 395A | Data Analysis for Criminal Justice (3)
SS 420A | Addictions, Mental Health, and Trauma (3)
CJ 455A | Restorative Justice (3)
What Can I Do with a Criminal Justice Degree?
WPU’s online BS in Criminal Justice degree prepares students for a range of career paths.
Although a high school diploma or an associate degree is sufficient for entry-level law enforcement positions, a bachelor’s is often the key to advancing in your field. WPU’s program creates a pathway to opportunities as a police officer, paralegal, probation officer, public administrator, human service professional, government official, or in forensics or corrections.
The research-based foundation many students gain also prepares them to pursue a graduate degree in criminology, public administration, social science, law, or sociology.
Based on research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for police and detectives is expected to increase 5% between 2018 and 2028, while probation officers and correctional treatment specialists will see 3% more positions. Law enforcement, meanwhile, is expected to need 8% more private detectives and investigators. On the research end, the BLS predicts that demand for forensic science technicians will rise 14%.