Online Criminal Justice Degree

American InterContinental University’s criminal justice online classes were designed to provide an in-depth overview of many fields and practical applications of criminal justice, including law enforcement, crisis management, forensic science and homeland security—all on your own schedule.

This online criminal justice degree program offers flexibility to earn your degree while working and taking care of your family. Mobile-friendly coursework helps you study toward your online criminal justice bachelor’s degree at your convenience, so you can maintain school-life balance.

Program Specializations

• Corrections and Case Management
• Forensic Science
• Homeland Security and Crisis Management
• Law Enforcement

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice?

Online criminal justice programs can help you prepare to apply the theories of crime causation, to process evidence of a crime, to carry out duties constitutionally, and to understand the American justice and court systems.

Enroll in criminal justice courses online to study toward a strong foundation in general criminal justice fundamentals and applicable skills, or choose a specialization for deeper knowledge in a criminal justice area.

Prerequisite for AIU’s bachelor’s in criminal justice online degree program?

There are no prerequisites to pursue an online criminal justice bachelor’s degree with AIU. Your dedicated Graduation Team can answer any questions you may have and help guide you through the admissions and financial aid processes. Your team will help support you on your academic journey, from start to graduation.

Ask an Admissions Advisor if you may be eligible to graduate sooner. You could earn degree credit for eligible work and military experience, and transfer in up to 75% of qualifying credits needed for your degree from another accredited institution.¹

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice curriculum

This criminal justice degree online program features general education classes that may be helpful in this industry, including English composition, technology and information literacy, interpersonal communication, and more.

The core of the curriculum layers criminal justice theories and methods with research and constitutional knowledge. AIU’s online criminal justice degree program combines real-world experience and knowledgeable faculty members, many of whom are industry professionals, plus interactive criminal justice modules that are based on current policies and national events.

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1. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Programs vary by location.
Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
American InterContinental University, AIU, is part of the American InterContinental University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

In this specialized curriculum, students focus on the criminal-justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public-policy contexts. Courses are structured to assist students in the development of their goals as they learn focused knowledge and skills common to criminal-justice professionals. For an Online Criminal Justice Degree, your classes may include:

Security and Loss Prevention

This course examines the theories and principles of security and loss prevention through a systematic review of key issues and concepts associated with the reduction and prevention of personal and corporate loss. This course will review the historical development of loss prevention, exposures to losses, risk assessment techniques and strategies to minimize loss and improve security.

Comparative Criminal Justice System

This course is designed to give students a rationale for understanding and appreciating the different ways justice is conceived and administered internationally. This course serves as a basis for comparing various justice systems as they relate to the American justice system. Students will explore how various countries organize their law enforcement, judicial systems and corrections agencies, and compare them with the American criminal justice system.

Crime and Substance Abuse

This course examines drug abuse and its relationship to crime. Topics include the statistical relationship between drugs and crime, drug laws and courts, drug prevention programs and public policy concerning the use and abuse of substances.

Administration of Criminal Justice

This course focuses on the challenges administrators face in law enforcement, courts and corrections. Students will examine the various organizational frameworks in the criminal justice system and the concepts, organizational principles and models associated with these criminal justice agencies.

Criminalistics

Criminalistics is part I of a two part series. This course is a survey course of forensic science. The course content will focus on defining "forensic science"; recognizing practices of legitimate, junk and fraudulent science; examining the properties of physical evidence; discussing the scope, potential and limitations of a variety of forensic sciences; examining analytical techniques applied by forensic scientists; evaluating the criteria for admissibility of scientific evidence; and discussing the ethical responsibilities of forensic scientists.

Terrorism and Homeland Security

This course presents an overview of the key security issues facing the United States in both the areas of Homeland Security and Terrorism. It introduces students to the changing dynamics of homeland security at both the national and state levels. Students will explore the various dynamics of providing security in different settings. Additionally, the history and future of terrorism will be examined.

Offender Rehabilitation

This course focuses on the various factors utilized to develop personalized sentencing and treatment plans for individual offenders. It examines the personality of the offender who may be diagnosed as a psychopath, sociopath, drug addict or mentally ill person. Students will study how to develop treatment plans that will assist in the rehabilitation of the offender.

Criminal Investigation

This course explores the elements of investigation including crime scenes, witnesses and evidence and includes such topics as investigative techniques, evidence documentation, interrogation and arrest. The course addresses the particulars of investigating major crimes.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

What is a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree?

AIU’s BSCJ degree is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing a career path in the criminal justice field. This degree program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice fundamentals by studying the operations, principles, and history of the U.S. criminal justice system. You will have the chance to immerse yourself in criminal justice policy and reform, criminal investigation and the justice system, and the impact of drugs on crime and rehabilitation.

How long does it take to earn a BS in criminal justice?

Our bachelor’s degree programs are designed as 48-month programs. However, many factors can impact your time to completion. The time it may take you to earn your BSCJ degree can be influenced by course loads, proficiency and/or transfer credits, and breaks.

What kind of courses will I take to earn a BSCJ degree?

As you work to complete your BS degree in criminal justice, you will be immersed in courses such as: Introduction to Criminology; Crime Victim Studies; Foundations of Corrections; Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Theory; and Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures.

When can I begin my criminal justice classes?

Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree start approximately every five weeks. Your actual start date is based on several factors, including receiving academic and financial documentation.

How many credits will I need to graduate with a BSCJ degree?

The BS in criminal justice degree program consists of 180 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. Please see the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a BS in criminal justice degree?

Upon earning your BSCJ degree, you should have an understanding of the criminal-justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public-policy contexts. By studying key topics in criminal justice, you can: have an in-depth knowledge of the many fields and practical applications of criminal justice; be able to apply the theories of crime causation and process evidence of a crime; and be able to carry out duties in accordance with the Constitution and to work to understand the American justice and court systems.