Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice (Cohort) Degree
Make an impact in the justice system with this accelerated and versatile program.
Ranked #3 most affordable Bachelor of Criminal Justice by Best Degree Programs, 2021
Criminal Justice (Cohort) Degree
Earn the skills you need to take to the field in criminal justice.
Our criminal justice major offers an innovative and flexible way to gain the critical thinking skills and practical field knowledge you need for your career in criminal justice. Hands-on experience is crucial as you prepare to deal with contemporary social issues, criminal behavior, legal and ethical principles, and policy development in the field. Learn from experienced faculty, allowing you to complete your criminal justice degree online, without missing out on life priorities.
Take one course at a time in an accelerated criminal justice major.
As an accelerated cohort program, the criminal justice degree allows you to simplify your study experience with a course load that’s more manageable for busy students. You’ll register for classes once at the beginning of the program and take one course at a time with the same group of peers online—having more collaborative experiences and graduating with a stronger network to start your career.
Looking for a more flexible course plan? Earn the same criminal justice degree in a traditional format.
Jump in and get a smooth start to your program.
Bellevue University knows that entering into a criminal justice degree program can be a daunting experience. But here, you will find the process to be little-to-no hassle with no SAT/ACT requirements for admission, 8 different starting points for the criminal justice major within the year, and a smooth transfer policy if you already have credits.
Our online criminal justice degree sets you up for grad school.
If you’re interested in pursuing pre-law or further graduate study, the degree in criminal justice can help you get there. Our criminal justice program offers a seamless path to our Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree.
Courses
What You’ll Learn
- Assess criminal justice operations to effectively address crime and social problems.
- Analyze trends to address the needs of the criminal justice system
- Examine theoretical constructs of criminal behavior to provide strategies that impact crime and social problems
Criminal Justice (Cohort) Degree Courses
Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.
Requirements (36 credit hours)
(Click a course name below to view course details)
This course will focus on the basic aspects of the American criminal justice system and its processes. The study of criminal justice is a dynamic and ever changing field and the nuances associated with duties and responsibilities of criminal justice professionals including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, probation and parole officers, attorneys, and judges will be examined.
This course will examine the law enforcement profession, including the multifaceted structure from which they operate, as well as the activities and responsibilities associated with the job. The focus will also include an investigation into operational policies and procedures, as well as the public opinions associated with this complex occupation.
This course will focus on crime typologies, the control of crime, and the nature and extent of crime in American society. The emphasis will be on the underlying sociological, biological, and psychological explanations for criminal behavior.
This course will provide an examination of the entire criminal court system, from the basic pretrial procedures through the sentencing and appeals phases. Comprehensive discussions in this course will focus on prosecutors, defense counsels, judges, the presentation of testimony and evidence, jury selection and deliberation, plea bargaining, and major social policies and procedures impacting the courts.
This course will focus on the fundamentals of criminal forensic examinations, as well as the investigative processes associated with crime scene security, processing, evaluation, and the collection and preservation of evidence. Prerequisite: CJUS 210
This course will focus on the basic principles of criminal law and the procedural legal processes that occur from the investigation of a crime through the appellate stage. An emphasis will be placed on Supreme Court decisions related to search and seizure, interrogations, and confessions. Prerequisite: CJUS 210
This course will examine the incidence of violent crime in America with a focus on the underlying causes, the impact on society, and the criminal justice system’s response. Prerequisite: CJUS 210 or CJUS 310
This course will examine patterns of juvenile delinquency and the causes, influences, and theoretical explanations for criminal behavior. An emphasis will be placed on the processing and treatment of juveniles in the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CJUS 210 or CJUS 320
This course will examine ethical dilemmas in criminal justice with an emphasis on the behaviors and decisions made by law enforcement, attorneys, judges, and corrections personnel. Prerequisite: CJUS 210
This course will examine the ideologies of criminal punishment in America and the social control and policy issues associated with the treatment of offenders. Topics will include the death penalty, restorative justice, sentencing disparity, and innovative criminal sanctions. Prerequisite: CJUS 210 or CJUS 320
This course will examine victimization patterns and causal factors for crimes involving family violence. The primary focus will be on the social and criminal justice system responses to physical and sexual child abuse, child neglect, domestic violence, and the handling of vulnerable adults. Prerequisite: CJUS 220 or CJUS 310
This course introduces fundamental technologies used in information systems. Students will develop a foundation in cybersecurity by learning the fundamental concepts behind cybersecurity. In addition, students will learn cybersecurity principles used in the design of systems to protect information and assets against persistent and constantly evolving threats.
Kirkpatrick Signature Series Requirements (9 credit hours)
(In addition to the Major Requirements, all Bellevue University students must complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series)
This course focuses on the political and philosophical traditions of the American republic, especially as embedded in the ideals, values, traditions, founding documents, and institutions of the United States , and considers how these traditions relate to individual citizenship and global society. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the creative tensions that exist between the forces of tradition and change as the country undergoes social, cultural, and political change. It considers the manner in which change can renew the vitality of a republic. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course examines civic engagement in relation to individual freedoms and responsibilities. It fosters engaged citizens, empowered to effect positive change. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
Integrative General Education Credits
Major Requirements Credits
Elective Credits
= 127 Total Credits*
General Education Courses
Take general education courses that do more than fill a requirement. At Bellevue University, these courses build foundational skills that apply to any career—critical thinking, qualitative reasoning, and ethical leadership. And, you can take courses individually or in course clusters, which connect three courses around one theme, building skills as you go.
Elective Courses
Our broad selection of electives allows you to select courses related to your major or expand your perspective in other areas of interest.
University Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.
Students applying for professional license or certification should verify the University’s offerings meet the requirements with the professional organization.
*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.
Get credit for what you’ve earned.
Accelerate your path to earning a degree.
Thanks to our generous credit transfer policy, you can avoid retaking the classes you’ve already completed, and chip away at the credit requirements you need to complete your degree.
- Already have an associate degree? You could accelerate your bachelor's degree completion. Transfer your full associate degree or even your A.A.S.*
- You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Finish Faster
Format
Learn from experienced faculty through innovative research and hands-on projects.
Bellevue University makes sure that your online criminal justice program is worth your time. You’ll learn the critical thinking and practical knowledge needed to succeed in your criminal justice career. You will also participate in unique research and hands-on projects for the crucial in-field experience needed for your craft.
100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.
Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.
Graduate with a built-in network.
Take one class at a time in 3- or 6-week and get to know a consistent group of peers as you earn your criminal justice degree. The accelerated cohort path will allow you to share expertise from your varied backgrounds and gain knowledge that makes you a better professional.
Tuition & Financial Aid
It’s more affordable than you think.
Earning a degree is an investment in yourself, and we want to help you make sure it’s a wise one with a generous credit transfer policy and competitive tuition rates.
2023 / 2024 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
2024 / 2025 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
Only pay for the credits you need.
Talk to us about our generous credit transfer policy so you can make more of the credits you’ve already earned count toward your degree.
Get help with financial aid.
Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree.
Military Preferred (Active Duty and Spouses Only)
Active duty members of the United States Military, National Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard (and their spouses) who declare this Undergraduate major are eligible for a tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for all courses in their Undergraduate Degree.
You want an online criminal justice degree. We want you to save along the way.
Admissions
Removing barriers to the education you deserve.
College is challenging, but getting in shouldn’t be. We have simplified our requirements for admission and we do not require entrance exam scores like the ACT or SAT—so you can get on track to achieving your goals. Here’s how it will go:
Prior to beginning the cohort-based online Criminal Justice (Cohort) Degree, you must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, speak with admissions about how you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
To be admitted to Bellevue University, provide proof of high school completion. We accept the following forms of documentation:
- Official high school transcript
- GED certificate
- Homeschool letter of completion
- Certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state authorized examination recognized by the state in which it is awarded — equivalent to a high school diploma.
- Self-certification on application.
You’ll just need to complete the application and submit the following:
- Official high school transcripts or proof of high school completion
- If applicable, official transcripts from any college or university you previously attended
- A one-time $50 application fee
- Note:
- International students must provide a few extra documents. See international student bachelor admissions details.
- Students applying for a cohort-based major must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
Short on time? You can start the application and save your progress as you go. Start your application >
You'll just need to create an account and complete a pre-application to Bellevue University through Guild. Once you receive confirmation that your pre-application to Bellevue University has been approved, you'll need to complete the required steps to get fully accepted and registered. These include:
- Submitting transcripts from past institutions
- Completing the FAFSA, per your employer's benefit requirement
If you’re transferring from another institution of higher education, you must submit an official transcript from each accredited institution you previously attended. Here are a few details to note:
- A transcript can be emailed securely to busrtranscripts@bellevue.edu or by mail. It is required to be sent directly from the issuing institution to Bellevue University's Office of the Registrar to be considered an official document. Please check with previous institution for available sending options.
- Applicants who submit an official transcript which reflects a two-year degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution are not required to show proof of high school completion.
- Transcripts must be submitted even if credits were not earned at the previous institution or if transfer credit is not granted.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to admissions.
- Get your questions answered about the Criminal Justice (Cohort) Degree
- Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
- Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities
