If you already have an associate's or bachelor's degree, our advanced start program may help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online in as little as two years.* According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, bachelor's degree holders earn nearly double what high school diploma holders earn and over 30 percent more than associate's degree holders during their working lifetime.† 

 Train for a Career in Criminal Justice 

From homeland security to the security of your local neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, public safety is a top concern in today's society. Numerous career paths exist for people who want to take an active role in making their own community a better, safer place. Whether you are seeking entry-level employment in the field of criminal justice or want to advance your current career in law enforcement, private security, or corrections, earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice may help you achieve your goal.

Program Highlights


In addition to a providing a broad liberal arts education, this baccalaureate program combines professional skills training with courses designed to help you develop a solid foundation of criminal justice knowledge. In this program you will have an opportunity to:
  • Gain an understanding of the philosophy and development of the U.S. criminal justice system, its agencies and institutions, and the issues and challenges they face
  • Explore applied research methods and techniques used in the field
  • Examine the development of criminal law, the elements and types of criminal offenses, and the principles of criminal culpability
  • Complete a capstone project to demonstrate your ability to apply the critical thinking skills and concepts you study online to real-world criminal justice scenarios

 Emphasis Areas for the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 

Developing specialized skills in a specific area of criminal justice may set you apart from other applicants in today's competitive job market. Customize your curriculum with electives in one of the following areas of emphasis.
    Explore the basics of computer crime and its possible impact on business and society, the investigation of computer crime, the legal implications of monitoring crime in cyberspace, the protection of digital assets, and computer forensics.
    Study to further your expertise in the administrative and operational aspects of the U.S. correctional system, both institutional and community based. Confront issues such as overcrowding, alternatives to incarceration, sentencing, inmate rights, and juvenile justice.
    Focus on techniques for locating, collecting, and analyzing crime scene evidence. Study how to identify boundaries of a crime scene and understand the principles of searching the crime scene for specific types of evidence, identifiable forensic material, and other items of evidentiary value.
    Study psychology within the context of the criminal justice system. Focus on enhancing your ability to identify and interact with mentally ill individuals, intervene in crisis situations, and understand the impact of crime on its victims and the community.
    Examine the roots of terrorism, response methods to weapons of mass destruction and other disaster incidents, crisis negotiation, and conflict resolution. This emphasis area is designed to help prepare criminal justice professionals, military personnel, or businesspeople for new opportunities in the field of criminal justice, especially with multinational corporations.
    Focus on the unique needs of youth in today's justice system. Examine sentencing, risk and needs assessment, psychology, intervention/diversion/prevention programs, communication and relationship building, and case management for juvenile offenders.
    Focus on landmark Supreme Court cases and how the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights apply in criminal law. Examine contemporary law enforcement organizations, community policing, policing in selected foreign countries, civil liability, and public expectations.

 Curriculum for the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 

    Courses Credits
    Total Prior Degree Credits* 90
    Courses Credits
    Introduction to Criminal Justice
    Criminal Investigation
    Criminal Procedure
    Courses Credits
    Arts and Humanities Course 6
    Physical Science Course 6
    Social Science Course 6
    Courses Credits
    Applied Criminal Justice Ethics 6
    Research Methods in Criminal Justice 6
    Major Electives 24
    Bachelor’s Capstone in Criminal Justice 6
    One
    Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 6
    Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice 6
    Managing Criminal Justice Organizations 6
    Courses Credits
    Open Electives 24
    Courses Credits
    Family and Domestic Violence 6
    Homeland Security 6
    Crime Scene Investigation II 6
    Organizational Behavior in Criminal Justice Organizations 6
    Courses Credits
    Introduction to Corrections 5
    Homeland Security 6
    Drugs and Alcohol in the Criminal Justice System 6
    Probation and Parole 6
    Criminal Justice Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Psychology for Law Enforcement 6
    Crisis Intervention 6
    Abnormal Psychology 6
    Criminal Justice Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Legal Foundations of Criminal Evidence 6
    Crime Scene Investigation II 6
    One
    Crime Scene Photography 6
    Forensic Fingerprint Analysis 6
    One
    Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence Analysis 6
    Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence 6
    Courses Credits
    Internet Vulnerabilities and the Legal Implications of Monitoring Activity in Cyberspace 6
    Investigating Cybercrime 6
    Computer Forensics 6
    Protecting Digital Assets 6
    Courses Credits
    Family and Domestic Violence 6
    Juvenile Justice 6
    Case Management 6
    Abnormal Psychology 6
    College Composition II* 5
    Courses Credits
    Homeland Security 6
    Crisis Negotiation 6
    Criminal Justice Electives 12
    Total Program Requirements 90*

 Crime Lab Internship Program 

As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, you may qualify to participate in a hands-on internship program at a crime laboratory in your area. Participate in real-world crime scene investigations under the supervision of experienced professionals and study to develop your skills in one of eight areas of field investigation:

  • Serology/DNA
  • Toxicology
  • Evidence
  • Chemistry/controlled substances
  • Photography
  • Firearms
  • Crime scene investigations
  • Identification/latent prints

Real Crimes,
Real Evidence.
>Tour the lab
Intern at a top crime lab.

An example of a crime lab internship opportunity available through Kaplan University is at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) in South Florida. The PBSO is the fourth largest county law enforcement agency in the United States, serving a population in excess of 1.4 million citizens. The PBSO crime lab is accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). This modern forensic facility is headed by the renowned former director of laboratory services for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and run by a distinguished field staff of criminal experts.

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, you may qualify for employment opportunities related to computer crime, corrections, counterterrorism, crime scene investigation, detention, fraud investigation, homeland security, juvenile justice and detention, law enforcement, parole and probation, prisons, private investigations, or public safety.* Additional opportunities may be found in corporate, government, or private security.

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$353.00
Total program requirements90*
Total cost of tuition$31,770.00

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective July 1, 2009, a minimum deposit of $70 is required at the time of enrollment and will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. The advanced start option assumes you have completed an associate's degree and requires a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours, including 90 from your requisite associate’s degree.* Additional courses and tuition costs and fees may be required to meet the prerequisites for the advanced start program. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

Chat with a representative about your financial aid options

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* Speak to an Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.
† U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/08s0220.pdf (accessed April 2008).
‡ Additional police academy training may be required to qualify for certain positions in law enforcement.
§ Although the program is designed to prepare students for various certification and licensing examinations, Kaplan University cannot guarantee students will pass the exams.