Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
Prepare for a career in the criminal justice field with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree from National American University’s College of Legal Studies.
Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Program Overview
Criminal justice is a dynamic field, and our program and curriculum reflect that. You will cover a variety of relevant topics including investigation, private security, and conflict resolution. Learn valuable skills from industry professionals through online classes.
Graduates of the program will:
- Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to apply preventive, deterrent and response actions related to criminal justice issues or challenges.
- Assess information from a variety of sources on issues of criminal justice.
- Communicate clearly in a variety of mediums to law enforcement and criminal justice industry stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively in diverse groups to identify issues in criminal justice.
- Assess ethical and civic-minded approaches to challenges to the criminal justice field.
Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Classes and Curriculum
The criminal justice bachelor’s degree program consists of three class requirements: major core, open electives, and general education core. These classes total 180 credits.
Criminal Justice Major Core
58.5 credits
Open Electives
60 credits
General Education Core
61.5 credits
Course availability is subject to minimum class size requirements.
Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Tuition and Fees
Learn more about our undergraduate tuition schedule.
Criminal Justice Degree Career Outcomes
The criminal justice online bachelor’s degree prepares you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ll need for entry-level employment in policing, courts, or corrections, as well as for career advancement to supervisory and administrative levels. The B.S. in criminal justice serves as a foundation for such positions as police officer, deputy sheriff, state highway patrol officer, court clerk, court bailiff, correctional officer, probation officer, and parole officer, as well as various federal law enforcement positions. Additional training will be required for policing and institutional corrections employment.
In addition to being an entry-level employment requirement in various criminal justice agencies, a criminal justice B.S. is often criteria for higher-skilled employment, higher pay scales, and promotions.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Criminal Justice Degree?
- Entry-level job seekers: The criminal justice online degree is a great first step if you want to start a new career in a criminal justice field. You receive the skills you need for entry-level employment, even without significant prior experience in criminal justice.
- Criminal justice professionals: Also, you are a great fit for this program if you already work in criminal justice but want to advance your career. Police officers, for example, can prepare for a career as a detective with a criminal justice online program.
Please Note:
Graphic images depicting violent crimes are utilized as teaching tools in various courses. Students should be prepared to view these images and to engage in discussions regarding these images as part of their required learning activities.
Individual agencies regulate the employment of individuals in the policing, courts, and corrections professions. Persons convicted of certain crimes may not serve in these positions. Please consult with the employer of interest to establish what regulations may exist.
Course Listing (180 Credits)
CJ1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ1500 – Criminological Theory
CJ2100 – Criminal Law
CJ2150 – Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice
CJ2280 – Communication for the Criminal Justice Professional
CJ2300 – U.S. Courts
CJ2400 – U.S. Corrections
CJ3100 – Criminal Investigation
CJ3400 – Constitutional Law
CJ4900 – Criminal Justice Capstone
PRO500DC – Advanced Executive Protection OR
CJ3000+ – CJ Elective
PRO595DC – Advanced Protection Operations OR
CJ3000+ – CJ Elective
PRO690DC – Advanced Threat Assessment OR
CJ3000+ – CJ Elective
Electives
300+/3000+ – Electives
CI3710 – Internet Security
CI3715 – Cybercrime and Information Systems
CI3725 – Network SecurityINT300 – Fundamentals of Intelligence
INT300 – Fundamentals of Intelligence
INT305 – Advanced Critical Thinking and Logic
INT310 – Fundamentals of Analysis
INT315 – Open Source Research
INT320 – Propaganda and Disinformation
INT330 – Writing for the Intelligence Professional
INT379 – History of Intelligence Part I
INT380 – History of Intelligence Part II
INT390 – Covert Action
INT400 – Counterintelligence
INT401 – Interrogation and Interviewing Techniques
INT440 – Technical Surveillance
INT445 – Operational Security
INT460 – Clandestine and Secure Communication
INT476 – Intelligence Collection
INT477 – Collection Management
NUC350 – Principles of Grand Strategy
NUC410 – Weapons Systems
NUC415 – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Weapons
PHIL400 – Ethics of Security and Counterterrorism
PRO375 – History of Executive/Dignitary Protection
PRO380 – Conflict Resolution
PRO385 – Etiquette and Rapport
PRO398 – Fundamentals of Threat Assessment
PRO405 – Consequence Management
PRO422 – Building Security
PRO430 – Travel and Hospitals
PRO432 – Principal’s Office and Residence
PRO433 – Off-site Visits
PRO466 – Advance Work
PRO494 – Essentials of Executive Protection
SEC305 – Offfensive v Defensive Security: Understanding the Broader Security Field
SEC320 – Foundations of the Security Industry
SEC326 – Foundations of Vehicular Security
SEC344 – Protective Security Law
SEC360 – Information Security
SEC366 – Managing the Security Organization
SEC375 – Workplace Violence, Workplace Security
SEC452 – Infiltration Techniques
SEC486 – Bomb Threat Management
TCT306 – Media and Terrorism
TCT310 – Psychology of Violence
TCT390 – Foundations of Terrorism
TCT395 – Counterterrorism
TCT396 – Terrorist
TCT410 – Lone Wolf Terrorism
TCT420 – Psychology of Fear
TCT425 – Religious Extremism
TCT430 – Ethno/Nationalist Terrorism
TCT435 – Terrorist Support Networks
TCT440 – Islamism and Terrorism
General Education (31.5) Available for Block Transfer
Communications
EN1150 – Composition I
Science
SC – Science Electives
Humanities
HU2000 – Critical Thinking and Problem Solving”
HU – Humanities Elective
Behavioral/Social Science
Behavioral/Social Science Electives
Communications
EN1300 – Composition II
EN2100 – Speech OR
EN2150 – Interpersonal Professional Communication
EN3050 – Technical Communications
Mathematics
MA2000 – Quantitative Reasoning
General Education
CS1202 – Strategies for Professionals OR
CS1204 – Advanced Strategies for Professionals
CS1302 – Consumer Mathematics
CS2080 – Career Management
Course availability is subject to minimum class size requirements.
