Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Guide

Criminal justice is a diverse field encompassing law enforcement, legal professions, and corrections. It includes jobs like criminal analyst, police officer, bailiff, and forensic science technician. If you're interested in helping your community, keeping the public safe, and upholding the justice system, consider a criminal justice career.

A criminal justice bachelor's degree can help you launch a career in the field. This degree may qualify you for entry-level roles like patrol officer, probation officer, and correctional treatment specialist.

Why Get a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice?

Unlock career opportunities. With a bachelor's in criminal justice, you can pursue careers in and outside the criminal justice system. Certain agencies, like the FBI, CIA, and DEA, may even require a bachelor's degree.

Earn a higher salary. Police departments and other employers may increase base salaries for employees who hold college degrees. Additionally, many government jobs in criminal justice and security offer competitive retirement programs.

Enjoy job security. The demand for qualified professionals in the field grows each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for police, detectives, private investigators, and probation officers to grow over the next decade.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is a Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree?

In 1916, a police officer in Berkeley, California, collaborated with the University of California to create the first criminal justice academic program. The officer realized a need for a formal education in preparing graduates to serve as expert witnesses in court. It began as a simple training program for officers and evolved into a full bachelor's degree.

Today, universities across the country offer criminal justice bachelor's programs to prepare students for careers in corrections, law enforcement, security, and investigations.

Program Format and Length

To choose the right criminal justice bachelor's program, consider factors like program delivery, course load, and program length.

Most bachelor's programs, including criminal justice degrees, take four years for full-time students to complete. If you need a flexible program that fits into a busy schedule, an online program might be a good option. However, some students prefer structured learning environments with set class times and close instructor support.

Some schools offer criminal justice bachelor's degree-completion programs, which require college credit to qualify for admission. In some cases, these programs specify that candidates must possess associate degrees or about half the credits required for a bachelor's degree. Degree-completion programs typically take 2-4 years.

Degree Types

Undergraduate criminal justice students can choose from several degree options to fit their goals and interests. The BA and BS serve as the most common degrees that offer majors in criminal justice.

• Bachelor of Arts: BA degrees take a liberal arts approach to general education and major courses. A BA in criminal justice may require more courses in areas like social science and psychology. Typically, BA programs also require some competency in a foreign language.
• Bachelor of Science: BS degrees in criminal justice typically explore research and science-based courses. This degree may best suit students who want to pursue clinical positions or careers in forensics.

Less common degree types include:

• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences: BAAS degrees in criminal justice are typically offered in degree-completion programs. They may include credit for work experience or technical education at a community college or trade school.
• Bachelor of Applied Science: BAS degrees require more applied science courses than other degrees. These programs may include more practical, hands-on criminal justice courses and provide work experience as part of the curriculum.

Degree Concentrations

By pursuing a concentration, you can focus your learning toward your career goals and interests. However, adding a concentration to your degree may increase your required credits and lengthen the program. Not all programs offer concentration or specialization options, but many allow students to pursue a minor alongside the criminal justice major.

Common concentrations for a criminal justice bachelor's program include:

Common Courses for Criminal Justice Majors

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Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System

In this course, learners study the American criminal justice system's functions. Topics include citizens' rights and responsibilities, along with how communities and professionals play a role in preventing crime. Students also survey problems that arise in the criminal justice system and explore possible solutions.

Criminology

This course examines the social and behavioral sciences in relation to the criminal justice system. Coursework covers topics like criminal history and how social structures shape crime. Students also consider various theories and case studies on community crime reduction.

Service Learning in Criminal Justice

This immersive learning experience addresses how citizenship and participation in public affairs help shape communities. This course often requires students to complete a set number of hours with community service organizations or public service providers.

Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice

This course examines criminal justice ethics and philosophies. Students learn about dilemmas facing law enforcement and correctional practitioners, emphasizing their ethical implications.

Forensic Science

Enrollees examine the evaluation of crime scene evidence, including technologies and protocols used to examine and value various pieces of evidence within criminal investigations.

Admission Requirements for a Criminal Justice Bachelor's Program

Requirements for getting into a criminal justice bachelor's program vary by school. However, typical admission materials include a high school diploma or GED certificate and a minimum GPA. Other common requirements include SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Most undergraduate criminal justice programs don't have additional requirements beyond general university admission requirements.

Some schools offer criminal justice bachelor's degree-completion programs for students who already completed some college credit. Credit requirements for these programs vary by school and usually include a minimum GPA. Degree-completion program applicants must be at least 21 at some schools.

How Much Does a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Cost?

According to the NCES DataLab, the average annual tuition and fees for a bachelor's program in protective services (including law enforcement, security, and firefighting) is $12,626, which amounts to over $50,000 for a four-year program.

Course delivery method, school prestige, public vs. private status, and residency can all influence degree costs. Prospective criminal justice students should also consider additional expenses, such as books and materials, room and board, and technology requirements.

Fortunately, you can use several funding and financing options for your criminal justice degree. Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help your school determine your financial need and aid eligibility.

Scholarships, fellowships, and grants provide funding that does not require repayment. Private and federal loans require repayment with interest after graduation.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice?

A criminal justice bachelor's degree can prepare you for various entry-level roles in the criminal justice field. Eligibility for some criminal justice jobs requires additional education and experience.

Potential career opportunities include correctional officer, private investigator, crime prevention specialist, and paralegal. Graduates can also pursue work as homicide detectives, border patrol agents, and state troopers. The following section explores popular criminal justice jobs that you might qualify for with a bachelor's in criminal justice below.

Does Accreditation Matter for Criminal Justice Bachelor's Programs?

Colleges and universities receive institutional accreditation when they meet minimum standards set by accrediting agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Attending an institutionally accredited school can be crucial for receiving federal financial aid, transferring credits, applying to graduate programs, and qualifying for professional licensure.

Academic programs and departments within schools can also receive separate programmatic accreditation. This status provides another level of recognition, indicating a program meets quality standards set by an accreditor with expertise in that field.

Currently, no accreditors recognized by CHEA or ED evaluate criminal justice programs. However, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences certifies them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degrees

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Is a bachelor's degree in criminal justice worth it?

It depends on what you want to do with your criminal justice bachelor's degree after graduation, but it can be worth it. Many criminal justice careers offer higher-than-average salaries and a good job outlook. For example, police and detectives earned a median annual salary of $74,910 as of May 2023.

Is criminal justice a hard major?

Difficulty is subjective and varies among students, but criminal justice isn't typically considered one of the most difficult majors. Criminal justice programs don't usually require many technical math or computer courses, which some people find challenging. If you work hard and put in the time to study, you can probably earn a criminal justice degree.

Which is better, a BA or BS in criminal justice?

BA in criminal justice and BS in criminal justice programs focus on the same topics and include the same general requirements. Both degrees can prepare you for entry-level criminal justice careers. BA programs usually include more liberal arts and elective courses, while a BS program focuses more on science and math. Consider prioritizing a BS in criminal justice if you want to work in crime scene investigation or forensic science.