Program Overview

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Bachelor's of Criminal Justice Online

The Bachelor's of Criminal Justice Online degree is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary. This program is offered entirely online, allowing students to complete their degree on their own schedule.

Degree Type

• Bachelor's Degree

Program Type

• Undergraduate

Location

• Online

College

• Humanities & Social Sciences

Department

• Criminal Justice, Social Work & Sociology

Program Overview

The online criminal justice degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete, including general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required unless noted.

Required Courses

The following courses are required for the Bachelor's of Criminal Justice Online degree:

• CJ100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
• CJ240 Principles of Law Enforcement (3)
• CJ250 Corrections (3)
• CJ321 Criminal Law (3)
• CJ370 Juvenile Justice (3)
• CJ425 Planning and Research in Criminal Justice (3)
• CJ499 Senior Seminar (3)
• SO305 Convergences of Crime (3)
• SO360 Criminology (3)

Electives

Students must complete 21 hours of electives, including 3 hours of experiential learning. Elective courses include:

• CJ303 Correctional Institutions (3)
• CJ330 Criminal Investigations (3)
• CJ350 Criminalistics (3)
• CJ365 Community-Based Corrections (3)
• CJ375 Victimology (3)
• CJ400 Crisis Management (3)
• CJ410 Police Administration (3)
• CJ422 Criminal Procedures (3)
• CJ435 Special Topics (3)
• CJ440 Offender Rehabilitation (3)
• CJ471 Directed Research (3)
• CJ480 Travel Study (1-6)
• CJ491 Internship in Criminal Justice (3)
• CJ495 Law Enforcement Professional Practice (18)
• CJ505 Social Inequalities (3)
• CJ510 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (3)
• CJ519 Restorative Justice (3)
• CJ520 Law and Social Control (3)
• CJ522 Critical Analysis of Gangs in America (3)
• CJ525 Crime and Criminal Justice Policy (3)
• CJ540 Professional Standards (3)
• CJ541 The Death Penalty in America (3)
• SO444 Deviant Social Behavior (3)
• UI300 Drugs and Behavior (3)
• UI309 Crime and Human Behavior (3)

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning hours may satisfy elective course requirements within the major without the need for taking additional hours. Options include:

• CJ471 Directed Research (3)
• CJ480 Travel Study (1-6)
• CJ491 Internship (3)
• CJ495 Law Enforcement Professional Practice (18)
• Any university course earned through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

General Education Requirements

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in a major program. General education requirements include:

• Social and Behavioral Sciences 6 hours
• Constitution Requirement 3 hours
• Written Communication 6 hours
• Oral Communication 3 hours
• Natural Sciences 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
• Mathematics 3 hours
• Humanities & Fine Arts 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
• Additional requirements 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
• Civics examination

Four-Year Sample Plan

A sample plan for completing the Bachelor's of Criminal Justice Online degree in four years is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor's of Criminal Justice Online degree may pursue careers in:

• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Probation and parole
• Victim advocacy
• Policy development
• Attorney
• State or federal agent
• Police officer
• Sheriff deputy
• Correctional officer

Tuition and Fees

Information on tuition and fees is available, as well as options for financial aid and scholarships.

Accelerated Program

SEMO's Criminal Justice master's degree is a natural next step, and students can start building toward it as an undergrad. Some 500-level courses earn both undergraduate and graduate credit, allowing students to enter the master's program ahead of schedule.

Faculty

The faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology are experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education.

Additional Resources

Additional resources are available to support students in their academic and professional pursuits, including career services, academic advising, and online learning support.