Online Criminal Justice Degree Program Details
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.The goal of the Online Criminal Justice degree program is to provide a well-rounded overview of the entire criminal justice system. Students study criminal investigation, the impact of drug usage on crime, probation and parole. A choice of electives offers them the opportunity to delve into areas of particular interest, such as crime-victim studies and issues of cultural diversity.
Our online criminal justice degree curriculum is uniquely designed for students transferring college credits into AIU’s criminal-justice program. Students with college credits in criminal justice from a regionally-accredited college may have some of their earned credits applied towards this specialization on a case-by-case basis.*
Online Criminal Justice programs can help you learn how to:
- Apply foundational knowledge of criminal justice including causes of crime, criminal behaviors and victims of crime.
- Define and identify the various components of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems which include law enforcement, law and courts and corrections.
- Analyze and apply law enforcement principles including the structure of police organizations, police discretion, police subculture and the legal constraints of policing.
- Analyze and apply knowledge of law adjudication including criminal law, criminal procedures and the decision-making processes associated with the defense and prosecution of criminal offenders.
- Analyze and apply knowledge of community-based corrections including the incarceration, treatment and alternative punishments offered in the correctional system.
- Use critical thinking skills and apply ethical theories to ethical dilemmas faced by criminal justice practitioners in law enforcement, courts, corrections and forensics.
Download program detail PDF
*Transferability of credits is at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.
Degree Requirements
General Education
| ENGL106 | English Composition I | 4.5 |
| ENGL107 | English Composition II | 4.5 |
| MATH125 | General College Mathematics | 4.5 |
| UNIV103 | Academic and Professional Success | 4.5 |
| UNIV106 | Technology and Information Literacy | 4.5 |
| UNIV109 | Interpersonal Communication | 4.5 |
| General Education Elective (1 Course) | 4.5 | |
| Humanities (2 Courses) | 9 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 Courses) | 9 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 courses) | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 58.5 |
Core
| CRJS101 | Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems | 4.5 |
| CRJS105 | Theories of Crime Causation | 4.5 |
| CRJS205 | Introduction to Criminal Law | 4.5 |
| CRJS210 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 4.5 |
| CRJS215 | Introduction to American Court System | 4.5 |
| CRJS220 | Foundations of Corrections | 4.5 |
| CRJS310 | Crime Victim Studies | 4.5 |
| CRJS315 | Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Theory | 4.5 |
| CRJS330 | Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures | 4.5 |
| CRJS355 | Evidence | 4.5 |
| CRJS405 | Research Methods & Statistics for Criminal Justice | 4.5 |
| CRJS499 | Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice | 4.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
General Electives
Select 10 undergraduate Elective courses| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
General Criminal Justice Track
In lieu of a Specialization, select 5 Criminal Justice Electives from any of the Specializations below| Total Credit Hours: | 22.5 |
Specialization Options
Corrections and Case Management
| CRJS435 | Prison Law | 4.5 |
| CRJS445 | Offender Rehabilitation | 4.5 |
| CRJS450 | Advanced Topics in Corrections | 4.5 |
| CRJS454 | Case Management & Treatment Planning | 4.5 |
| CRJS456 | Psychopharmacology for Criminal Justice Professionals | 4.5 |
Forensic Science
| CRJS365 | Criminalistics | 4.5 |
| CRJS406 | Criminalistics II | 4.5 |
| CRJS471 | Medicolegal Death Investigation | 4.5 |
| CRJS478 | Forensic Biology | 4.5 |
| CRJS455 | Criminal Investigation | 4.5 |
Homeland Security and Crisis Management
| CRJS225 | Foundations of Crisis Management | 4.5 |
| CRJS370 | Terrorism and Homeland Security | 4.5 |
| CRJS380 | Critical Infrastructures | 4.5 |
| CRJS416 | Homeland Security & Crisis Management Planning | 4.5 |
| CRJS426 | Communication and Crisis Planning | 4.5 |
Law Enforcement
| CRJS320 | Community Oriented Policing | 4.5 |
| CRJS360 | Advanced Law Enforcement | 4.5 |
| CRJS365 | Criminalistics | 4.5 |
| CRJS370 | Terrorism and Homeland Security | 4.5 |
| CRJS455 | Criminal Investigation | 4.5 |
Total Credit Hours: 22.5
Total Credit Hours: 180
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 gives 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 learn 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.
From grants to military service to transfer credits, see the variety of ways you can save time and money on your Online Criminal Justice Degree at AIU:
- Scholarships & Grants - AIU offers a number of institutional scholarships and grants that can help eligible students offset the program cost and help reduce out of pocket costs
- Reduced Military Tuition Rate – AIU Online offers a 45% tuition reduction to active military undergraduate students and a 20% tuition reduction to active military graduate students, including members of the Reserves and National Guard
- Transfer Credit – AIU’s transfer-friendly credit policy lets you transfer in up to 75% of the qualifying credits needed toward your degree
- Prior Learning Credit – You can receive credits for past college courses, qualifying military service, or eligible work experience
For more information, review the AIU guides below:
- Financial Aid Guide: Our guide to financial aid can answer your initial questions and help you prepare to apply for financial aid
- Scholarships and Grants Guide: Learn about the scholarships and grants offered by AIU along with details about eligibility
- Transfer Credit Guide: This guide explores how to transfer your credits from other schools—and earn college credit for your eligible past work and qualifying military experience
-
Online Criminal Justice Degree Program Outline
The goal of the Online Criminal Justice degree program is to provide a well-rounded overview of the entire criminal justice system. Students study criminal investigation, the impact of drug usage on crime, probation and parole. A choice of electives offers them the opportunity to delve into areas of particular interest, such as crime-victim studies and issues of cultural diversity.
Our online criminal justice degree curriculum is uniquely designed for students transferring college credits into AIU’s criminal-justice program. Students with college credits in criminal justice from a regionally-accredited college may have some of their earned credits applied towards this specialization on a case-by-case basis.*
Online Criminal Justice programs can help you learn how to:
- Apply foundational knowledge of criminal justice including causes of crime, criminal behaviors and victims of crime.
- Define and identify the various components of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems which include law enforcement, law and courts and corrections.
- Analyze and apply law enforcement principles including the structure of police organizations, police discretion, police subculture and the legal constraints of policing.
- Analyze and apply knowledge of law adjudication including criminal law, criminal procedures and the decision-making processes associated with the defense and prosecution of criminal offenders.
- Analyze and apply knowledge of community-based corrections including the incarceration, treatment and alternative punishments offered in the correctional system.
- Use critical thinking skills and apply ethical theories to ethical dilemmas faced by criminal justice practitioners in law enforcement, courts, corrections and forensics.
Download program detail PDF
*Transferability of credits is at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.
-
Criminal Justice Courses
Degree Requirements
General Education
ENGL106 English Composition I 4.5 ENGL107 English Composition II 4.5 MATH125 General College Mathematics 4.5 UNIV103 Academic and Professional Success 4.5 UNIV106 Technology and Information Literacy 4.5 UNIV109 Interpersonal Communication 4.5 General Education Elective (1 Course) 4.5 Humanities (2 Courses) 9 Natural Sciences (2 Courses) 9 Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 courses) 9 Total Credit Hours: 58.5 Core
CRJS101 Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems 4.5 CRJS105 Theories of Crime Causation 4.5 CRJS205 Introduction to Criminal Law 4.5 CRJS210 Introduction to Law Enforcement 4.5 CRJS215 Introduction to American Court System 4.5 CRJS220 Foundations of Corrections 4.5 CRJS310 Crime Victim Studies 4.5 CRJS315 Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Theory 4.5 CRJS330 Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures 4.5 CRJS355 Evidence 4.5 CRJS405 Research Methods & Statistics for Criminal Justice 4.5 CRJS499 Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice 4.5 Total Credit Hours: 54 General Electives
Select 10 undergraduate Elective coursesTotal Credit Hours: 45 General Criminal Justice Track
In lieu of a Specialization, select 5 Criminal Justice Electives from any of the Specializations belowTotal Credit Hours: 22.5 Specialization Options
Corrections and Case Management
CRJS435 Prison Law 4.5 CRJS445 Offender Rehabilitation 4.5 CRJS450 Advanced Topics in Corrections 4.5 CRJS454 Case Management & Treatment Planning 4.5 CRJS456 Psychopharmacology for Criminal Justice Professionals 4.5 Forensic Science
CRJS365 Criminalistics 4.5 CRJS406 Criminalistics II 4.5 CRJS471 Medicolegal Death Investigation 4.5 CRJS478 Forensic Biology 4.5 CRJS455 Criminal Investigation 4.5 Homeland Security and Crisis Management
CRJS225 Foundations of Crisis Management 4.5 CRJS370 Terrorism and Homeland Security 4.5 CRJS380 Critical Infrastructures 4.5 CRJS416 Homeland Security & Crisis Management Planning 4.5 CRJS426 Communication and Crisis Planning 4.5 Law Enforcement
CRJS320 Community Oriented Policing 4.5 CRJS360 Advanced Law Enforcement 4.5 CRJS365 Criminalistics 4.5 CRJS370 Terrorism and Homeland Security 4.5 CRJS455 Criminal Investigation 4.5 Total Credit Hours: 22.5
Total Credit Hours : 180
-
Criminal Justice Classes Overview
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 gives 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 learn 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.
-
Tuition and Fees
Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.
-
Ways to Save on Your Online Criminal Justice Degree
From grants to military service to transfer credits, see the variety of ways you can save time and money on your Online Criminal Justice Degree at AIU:
- Scholarships & Grants - AIU offers a number of institutional scholarships and grants that can help eligible students offset the program cost and help reduce out of pocket costs
- Reduced Military Tuition Rate – AIU Online offers a 45% tuition reduction to active military undergraduate students and a 20% tuition reduction to active military graduate students, including members of the Reserves and National Guard
- Transfer Credit – AIU’s transfer-friendly credit policy lets you transfer in up to 75% of the qualifying credits needed toward your degree
- Prior Learning Credit – You can receive credits for past college courses, qualifying military service, or eligible work experience
For more information, review the AIU guides below:
- Financial Aid Guide: Our guide to financial aid can answer your initial questions and help you prepare to apply for financial aid
- Scholarships and Grants Guide: Learn about the scholarships and grants offered by AIU along with details about eligibility
- Transfer Credit Guide: This guide explores how to transfer your credits from other schools—and earn college credit for your eligible past work and qualifying military experience
Gainful Employment and Other Student Disclosures
Below you can find placement rates and other information tailored to your chosen campus and program. Certain disclosures are published on this website to assist students in understanding the facts about their programs.
Program Disclosure Information for:
-- Select Campus Above --
Program Disclosure Information for:
AIU Atlanta - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Program Disclosure Information for:
AIU Online - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Program Disclosure Information for:
AIU Houston - Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Given the fact that all of the rates reflected below are based on historical data and were subject to varying levels of audit and re-interpretation, students should not rely on them as an implicit or explicit representation or promise of future outcomes or employability following completion of a program of study. Indeed, there are numerous factors that affect a student's ability to graduate and secure employment over which we have little or no control. Therefore, our school cannot and does not guarantee or estimate the likelihood of on-time completion, graduation, or employment for any student.
Date Submitted: 12/2017
The program rate shown corresponds to the Criminal Justice (BSCJ) program.
Classes Start September 19, 2018