Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (CJ)

Program Overview
Course Offerings
Admission Requirements
Career Outcomes
How To Apply
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Program Overview

An online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice helps you pursue your career goals without neglecting current work and family commitments. In a convenient and flexible format, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance in your field. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program at Aurora University Online are prepared for positions in law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, parole, and private security.

Instructors in this program use open education resources (OER) in place of traditional textbooks for some courses. This means digital, openly licensed content is available free of charge to students.

This program is designed for busy, working students who have life experience in criminal justice. Start your journey at AU Online and build on your previously earned credit to complete your bachelor’s degree today.

Curriculum Overview

Aurora University’s online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice provides you with a broad academic background in the criminal justice system, criminology and other core subjects. Prepare for advanced careers by personalizing your degree with elective courses in your area of interest. Each class is taught by faculty members who have real-world experience.

Students will have the unique opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-life situations through an internship. In addition to offering placement support, you’ll be paired with a faculty mentor in your field who will provide feedback on various internship-related assignments. Rest assured, you can complete your internship locally as well as at your current place of work, assuming it meets the program director’s requirements.

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Program Details

Next Start Date:March 13, 2023
Est. Program Length:2-4 Years
Credit Hours:120 (40 in major)
Course Length:8 Weeks
Cost Per Credit:$438

Course Details

CRJ1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice System – 4 hours
CRJ2150 Correctional Services – 4 hours
CRJ2220 Criminal Justice Report Writing – 4 hours
CRJ2300 Criminology – 4 hours
CRJ2420 Criminal Law – 4 hours
CRJ2500 Policing America – 4 hours
CRJ3610 Research Methods – 4 hours
CRJ4800 Strategic Planning and Ethics – 4 hours
Electives – 8 hours

Course details are based on information available at the time of publication. Specific program requirements are subject to change.

Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for questions or information on current tuition, fees, room, board and other rates.

A completed undergraduate application
Transcripts (official, sealed) from all previously attended colleges and universities
A resume demonstrating two or more years of work experience, military service, or relevant adult responsibilities
A personal statement addressing why you wish to enroll in an online program and a description of how you will structure your life and time to be successful
For applicants without an earned associate degree and/or 60 hours of transfer credit: Proof of high school graduation or completed GED
For applicants with fewer than 15 hours of transfer credit: an official high school transcript with a GPA of 2.5 and above and ACT/SAT scores
Test-Optional Admission: Applicants with fewer than 15 hours of transfer credit who do not have ACT/SAT scores may choose to be reviewed as test-optional. Admission will be based on your high school academic record.

All AU Online students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU Online uses Moodle to host its online classes.

Students can transfer more than half the credits they need to successfully earn a four-year degree. Aurora University will accept up to 68 credits from a 2 year institution and 90 credits from a 4 year institution.

You can take advantage of an opportunity to apply life and vocational experience credit towards your criminal justice degree at Aurora University. Applicants may request an evaluation of credit after acceptance into the program. Qualification includes police academy training and a minimum of 12 months of service as a police officer.

The portfolio development and submission process is easy. To have academy and police experience reviewed for credit complete the following process:

Write a cover letter describing their courses, training, and work experience.
Provide a letter (on letterhead) from your police chief which includes hiring dates as documentation of the 12-months of service requirement.
Provide documentation of state certification and a list of all courses completed through the police academy. Academy training from any state will be considered.
Provide official documentation including a list of all training courses completed as a police officer.
Scan all documents into a PDF and email to David Dial, Associate Professor and Chair of the Criminal Justice program (ddial@aurora.edu). Professor Dial will evaluate the submission and respond directly to you with his determination. This will also be communicated with the registrar.
Students wishing to earn credits to Aurora University’s criminal justice program may receive up to 12 additional elective credits. If you do not have criminal justice transfer credit you may receive credit for as many as two of the required CJ classes and one elective. The maximum award in each case is 12 credits. Interested applicants should review the Portfolio Process for Awarding Credit for Life and Vocational Experience in the Aurora University catalog. Application of credit is subject to a per-course fee.

Check your credits with our Transfer Evaluation System.

Learn more about Transfer Credits