What Is an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice?
More than 65 million court cases are heard every year at the state and federal levels, according to the Court Statistics Project. Warner Pacific University’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice degree program examines the whys and hows of this overarching system, giving students the fundamental skills to pursue careers in courtrooms, police stations, law offices, rehabilitation facilities, and more.
Criminal justice, in simplified form, is the practical application of criminology, which is the study of criminal behavior and crime trends. Students in the criminal justice program learn about the history and function of the law enforcement system and become familiar with crime-response techniques, the judicial process, constitutional law, and criminal justice reform efforts.
WPU’s 100% online criminal justice degree program 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 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.
Flexible Program Designed for Adult Learners
Offered through WPU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the BS in Criminal Justice program factors in the needs of working adult students wanting to complete their bachelor’s degree. For the online criminal justice degree:
- Courses last five weeks each, unless noted
- Subjects are taught by expert faculty members who work in the criminal justice field
- Rolling monthly start dates are available for maximum flexibility in scheduling
- Credits are awarded for previous coursework to allow for accelerated completion
Coursework is online and fully asynchronous. However, weekly lectures and assignments require students to log in at least five out of seven days each week to access materials. Participation is essential for your success: Each week, students must submit three substantive, thought-out posts over two days in class forums.
Alternative Program for Traditional Students
Traditional undergraduate students interested in criminal justice can enroll in WPU’s innovative dual degree program. This program, offered on the university’s campus in Portland, Oregon, provides an opportunity for students to graduate with two degrees, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a BS in Criminal Justice.
What Can You Do With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice?
Although a high school diploma or an associate degree is sufficient for entry-level law enforcement positions, a bachelor’s degree is often the key to advancing in your field. When you graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online from WPU, you’ll be prepared to:
- Understand and analyze crime to help improve public policy
- Examine the role of spirituality and Christian ethics in criminal justice
- Communicate effectively and efficiently using written and oral skills
- Analyze human interactions across various systems (individual, family, group, community)
- Evaluate criminal justice issues related to identity (ethnicity, gender, disability)
- Learn how mental health, addiction, and trauma contribute to crime
- Study current challenges in the criminal justice system, especially in urban areas
With this skill set, you’ll be poised to increase your professional impact by addressing complex issues and driving positive change in the field, from supporting individuals and groups in your community to addressing systemic challenges and developing policy.
Criminal Justice Careers
WPU’s online BS in Criminal Justice degree program creates a pathway to professions such as police officer, paralegal, probation officer, public administrator, human service professional, government official, or forensics specialist. The program’s research-based focus also lays the foundation for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in criminology, public administration, social science, law, or sociology.
Take a look at the work activities required for some common criminal justice careers:
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
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Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Forensic Science Technicians
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Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Salary Information
When you earn your BS in Criminal Justice online degree, you’ll be equipped with the in-demand skills to make a difference in a growing field. Employment growth projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) between 2023 and 2033 are as follows:
- Police and detectives: 4%
- Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists: 4%
- Private detectives and investigators: 5%
- Forensic science technicians: 14%
Take a look at the criminal justice degree salary and career outlook for each of these roles, according to the BLS:
| Police and Detectives
Median Annual Pay: $74,910 Job Openings Projected Each Year: 63,000 |
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Median Annual Pay: $61,800 Job Openings Projected Each Year: 7,400 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators
Median Annual Pay: $49,540 Job Openings Projected Each Year: 3,600 |
Forensic Science Technicians
Median Annual Pay: $64,940 Job Openings Projected Each Year: 2,700 |
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Curriculum
WPU’s online BS in Criminal Justice degree isn’t strictly a practical program. While a practicum is required to graduate, the curriculum itself is rooted in the liberal arts, particularly the social sciences. In total, all criminal justice students complete 15 courses totaling 45 semester 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.
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 (9 Credits)
HUM 310A | Exploring the Human Condition (Prerequisite: EN 121A, 112A) | 3 credits
ILR 300A | Adv Information Literacy & Research (Prerequisite: EN 121A) | 3 credits
REL 320A | Spirituality, Character and Service (Prerequisite: EN 121A, 112A) | 3 credits
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 two 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)
Admission Requirements for the Online Criminal Justice Degree Program
Thinking about finishing your bachelor’s degree at WPU? To apply to the BS in Criminal Justice online degree program, students must:
- Have previously completed 48 to 60 semester credits at a regionally accredited college or university or through College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams or American Council on Education (ACE) evaluations for military experience and job training
- Fill out an application and submit the application fee
- Supply transcripts from all higher education institutions attended to date and high school transcripts if you have earned fewer than 6 semester credits
- Have at least two years of full-time work experience
- Have earned a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all previously completed college-level coursework
Nonnative English-speaking students must also show proof of English proficiency by earning a minimum score of 70 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Discover Your Future With WPU’s Accredited Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Anchored in a minority-serving, Christian college environment, WPU Online’s degree programs teach to the real-world diversity and challenges within the communities students serve, no matter their geographic location.
With a focus on culturally responsive practices, WPU’s criminal justice program aims to equip students with the skills to serve effectively and empathetically in various social service capacities.
Move up through the ranks of law enforcement while protecting and serving your community with an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from WPU Online.
To learn more, contact PGS Admissions at 800-804-1510, or request additional information today.