Courses are 100% online with access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each course has been developed by, and is facilitated by, a professional in the field of Criminal Justice. The courses are delivered in a six-week modular sequence, so a student never has to take more than one course at a time.
Available credit hours breakdown:
- General Education: 51 Credit Hours
- General Electives: 27 Credit Hours
- Major Core: 42 Credit Hours
*General Electives can be modified both in number required and types of courses based on the applicant's past training and experience.
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Major Core
►SS-CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
This course focuses on the formal crime control process in the United States. Students will examine the agencies and processes involved in administering justice: the police, the prosecutor, the courts, and correctional systems.
►SS-CJ 212 Introduction to Corrections (3 credits)
Outlines the history, current practices, and future directions of corrections in a systematic process showing the evolving changes within the institutional and community based corrections. Topics include the history of corrections, the influence of social thought and philosophy on the development of corrections, the rights of the incarcerated inmate, and the duties of the correctional officer.
►SS-CJ 214 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3 credits)
The development of U.S. policing, stressing the relationship of police to local politics and the effects of civil service, reform movements, and technological change.
►SS-CJ 216 Introduction to Forensic Science (3 credits)
Overview of general principles of forensic science, techniques, equipment, and methodologies as used in crime laboratories. Focus on fingerprint and firearm identification, trace evidence (hair, fiber, paint, and glass), blood, DNA evidence, forensic documentation examination, crime scene kits, and forensic microscopy.
►SS-CJ 232 Terrorism and Counterterrorism (3 credits)
This course examines the indigenous and external of terrorism, and declared and implied objectives or strategies operations and tactics and the countermeasures that are created. This course will take an even closer look at prioritizing terrorism while trying to focus on other U.S. problems and foreign policy objectives.
►SS-CJ 240 Criminology (3 credits)
This course is a study of crime as a form of deviant behavior, nature and extent of crime, past and present theories, evaluation of prevention, control and treatment programs.
►SS-CJ 350 Police Administration (3 credits)
An organizational management and systems approach to the study of police administration. Emphasizes the administration of various police function, organizational structures, resources management, operational techniques, professional ethics, and leadership principles and their implications for generalized and specialized units.
►SS-CJ 352 Comparative Justice (3 credits)
The class will examine issues related to crime throughout the world. The student will identify, analyze, and compare the criminal justice systems in the U.S. with those of other countries. The course will explain the basic worldwide philosophies of law and justice, the arrangements for crime prevention and law enforcement, and the methods of selecting judges and juries around the world.
►SS-CJ 340 Criminal Law (3 credits)
This course examines substantive criminal law: principles of criminal law and analysis of various offenses, parties to crime, and defenses.
►SS-CJ 441 Criminal Procedures (3 credits)
Constitutional aspects of criminal procedures, including investigations, arrests, search and seizures, pre-trial processes, trial rights, sentencing, and appeals. Part I focuses primarily on the rights protected by the Fourth Amendment.
►SS-CJ 452 Victimology (3 credits)
Theories and history shaping the bio-psycho-social and environmental characteristics of crime and violent victimization are examined with emphasis on their intersection with issues of race, gender, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
►SS-CJ 470 Juvenile Justice (3 credits)
Theoretical foundations of delinquency causation. Historical tracing of the American juvenile justice system including the juvenile court and its jurisdiction. Police interaction with juveniles; treatment and correctional strategies for young offenders. Examination of prevention and treatment approaches.
►SS-CJ 490 Crisis Management (3 credits)
The course develops managerial skills in crisis avoidance, management, and recovery. Students learn how to respond to situations creating danger to organizations, their employees, and the public.
►SS-CJ 495 Criminal Justice Capstone (3 credits)
This course provides the student with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained through his or her academic journey through previous courses, both general education and major courses. It is also intended to prepare the student for transition from college to post-college life (graduate school, job, etc.). This course is the educational capstone for those majoring in Criminal Justice. It is designed to integrate the learning experience in preparation for further educational endeavors or professional placement.
General Electives - Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Below are some recommended electives for the online Criminal Justice degree program. However, many opportunities exist to transfer credit in and reduce the number elective courses the student must take. Credits can be awarded for military training, police academy, and community college experience. Many students who have enrolled in the online Criminal Justice degree program have been able to work with their Enrollment Advisor to modify the requirements based on their past experience and the career goals they are pursuing.
►SS-CJ 213 Drugs and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
►SS-CJ 215 Introduction to Courts (3 credits)
►SS-CJ 225 Serial Killers (3 credits)
►BS-CP 235 Computer Applications (3 credits)
►SS-CJ 332 Investigations and Evidence (3 credits)
►SS-CJ 482 Community Corrections (3 credits)
►SS-PY330 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
►SS-PY 220 Stress Management (3 credits)
►EX-MG 306 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (3 credits)
