Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

School: Social Sciences and Humanities

Degree Type: Bachelors Degree | Minor

Format: Online

Student Type: Undergraduate Accelerated and Online

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

Apprehend criminal suspects
Respond to emergencies to provide assistance and administer first aid
Maintain public order or security
Prepare investigation or incident reports

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Maintain client data or service records
Counsel clients with substance abuse issues
Interview clients and gather data on their backgrounds, needs, and progress
Monitor health or behavior of people or animals

Private Detectives and Investigators

Prepare investigation or incident reports
Investigate individuals’ characteristics or activities
Examine public and court records for evidence
Investigate crimes committed within organizations

Forensic Science Technicians

Analyze forensic evidence to solve crimes
Prepare scientific or technical reports
Document events or evidence and record research or operational data
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings

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)

Core Requirements (9 Credits)

Minor Requirements (18 Credits)

At least two courses (6 credits), selected from the following:

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.

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