Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
Major: Criminal Justice
Hours: 120
Criminal Justice Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachlor of Science Degrees in Criminal Justice at Â鶹AV equips you for pre-law major or a career in one of the many fields related to justice such as special agents/federal investigations, emergency and social services, courts, policing, homeland security, counterterrorism, juvenile counseling, adult probation/parole and corporate security management.
Courses in the program focus upon social problems such as crime, violence, drugs, gangs, terrorism, sexual assault, prisons and juvenile delinquency. The intriguing curriculum explores human behavior, social policies, forensics, counseling, trials, rehabilitation and research and management.
This program, available as a residential or online program, is designed to merge academic knowledge with applied experience. The courses encompass a variety of components that prepare you for career entry, promotion, federal employment and/or graduate study.
Criminal Justice Courses You May Take
Introduction to Criminal Justice: History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; court system; prosecution and defense; trial process; corrections.
Court Systems and Practice: The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution, right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; sentencing.
Correction Systems and Practices: Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional systems; correctional role; institutional operations; alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues.
Police Systems and Practices: The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues.
Crime and Criminals: American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends; liberal and conservative views of the crime problem and policy implications; crime prevention.
Career Paths for Criminal Justice
The online B.S. Criminal Justice program is designed to help you complete your law enforcement degree quickly by offering accelerated courses and Police Training Academy credit as academic credit. As a graduate of this program, your future career paths include law enforcement administration, national security, forensics and law. Bachelor of Arts graduates complete your program with a variety of options for professional development, advancement and continued study.
Primary Careers
Police officer, prison guard, court officer
- Policing
- Forensics
- Emergency and social services
- Homeland security
- Border security
- Child/adult abuse protection
- Private security
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organizations
- Prisons and detention centers
- Law enforcement bureaus
- Courts of law
- Sheriff's departments