Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a highly respected online degree program designed and taught by expert faculty in the criminal justice field. The program features courses that focus on criminology, ethics, policing, and more.

Program Details

• The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete their coursework at their own pace.
• The application deadline is March 15 to start on May 18.
• The program requires 120 credits, with tuition fees of $638/$685 per credit.
• The program is nationally recognized, with Penn State's bachelor's degrees highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Program Structure

• The program balances the theoretical and practical aspects of crime control as they relate to adult and juvenile justice.
• Many different course options are available to complete the program, allowing students to customize the degree to meet their specific goals.
• Course topic areas include:
  • Criminology
  • Law, policing, and corrections in America
  • Ethics in criminal justice
  • Security and police administration
  • Alternatives to incarceration
  • Aspects of the juvenile justice and court system
  • Sociology
  • Psychology

Prescribed Courses

• CRIMJ 12: Criminology (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 210: Policing in America (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 220: Courts and the Prosecution Process (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 230: Corrections in America (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 250: Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 260: Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 450: Senior Seminar (3 credits)
• CRIMJ 465: Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

Additional Courses

• Students must select 12 credits from the following areas:
  • Public and Private Policing
  • Diversity in Criminal Justice
  • Special Populations and the Law

Supporting Courses and Related Areas

• Students must select 21 credits from the following areas:
  • 6 credits of courses taken from the following: PLSC, PUBPL, PSYCH, or SOC
  • 15 credits of courses taken in consultation with an adviser

Electives

• Additional credits needed to meet the 120-credit degree requirement

General Education Requirements

• Foundations: 15 credits
  • Writing/Speaking: 9 credits
  • Quantification: 6 credits
• Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Integrative Studies: 6 credits
• Exploration: 9 credits

Career Opportunities

• The program prepares students for careers in protective services, law and corrections, crime-related prevention and support, security management, court administration, and social services.
• Job titles related to this degree include:
  • Correctional Supervisor
  • Criminal Investigator
  • Detective
  • Police Officer

Faculty

• The program is taught by distinguished faculty with expertise in the field of criminal justice.
• Faculty members include:
  • Eileen M. Ahlin
  • Shaun L. Gabbidon
  • Jennifer Gibbs
  • Daniel Howard
  • Don Hummer
  • Philip Kavanaugh
  • Jonathan Lee
  • Siyu Liu
  • Jennifer L. Schally
  • Emily R. Strohacker

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year:
  • If you have 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
  • If you have 60 or more credits: $685 per credit
• Financial aid and military benefits are available to eligible students.