Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice Programs
(found programs from 814 schools)

Welcome to the most complete directory on the Web of Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice programs. It contains all the nationally accredited programs, from 814 schools across the country.

Criminal justice is a broad field that includes careers in law enforcement, security, criminal courts and incarceration and rehabilitation. Earning your degree in this field can be your start to a career that is both exciting and important. From addressing the problem of crime in our communities, to homeland security and the war on drugs, the field of criminal justice is constantly in the headlines. It is a field that is growing in size, pay, variety and importance.

School Profile

Below, Dr. Todd Clear, Dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, talks to CriminalJusticePrograms.com about the criminal justice bachelor's program at Rutgers and explains what students should look for in a school.

Before you even start thinking about earning your criminal justice degree, you need to examine your goals. What career you ultimately want to pursue will determine just which degree will best help you achieve your goals. You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts of a Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice includes a general liberal arts curriculum with classes in languages, literature and the humanities. The Bachelor of Science in criminal justice will be heavy in math, social science, biology and psychology. Both options will include coursework in the area of law, such as the details of evidence and court procedures. You will also study public policy history, debates, trends and influences. Your program will cover crime control methods and the various institutions involved in criminal justice. It will also give you an understanding of the dynamics of violence. Most schools also include classes in administration.

Once you graduate, you will be able to compete for entry level jobs in a variety of areas. Law enforcement jobs include police work and positions in a variety of government agencies. Given the level of competition, these entry level positions almost always require you to have a college degree, particularly in large metropolitan areas. Entry level jobs in law enforcement generally start at about $35,000 according to SimplyHired.com and go up from there, depending on location and your level of experience. Law enforcement is not your only option. The court system offers roles as probation officers, case administrators, and courtroom deputies. Salaries, according to Salary.com, range from $30,000 to $52,000. A growing area of employment is the corrections field. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics show working in a jail or prison environment pays between $29,800 and $64,000 per year. And you certainly aren't limited to direct careers in the field. Criminal justice journalists and criminal justice experts in business are also in high demand.

The field of criminal justice is served by a wide variety of national, regional and local professional associations. The National Criminal Justice Association (http://www.ncja.org/) primarily focuses on national policy, but also offers statewide programs with its national opportunities to network. It also offers internships that can kick start your career. The American Criminal Justice Association (http://www.acjalae.org/) is more student-focused and offers a number of benefits to degree seekers at all levels, including scholarships. One other organization of note is the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (http://www.acjs.org/). It focuses on education, research, and policy development on a professional level as well as in academia. This organization has a number of active regional branches as well. Look for more specialized organizations to join, too. If you know what specific field you want to pursue, you open yourself to even more opportunities with specialized associations. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (http://www.aafs.org/) is one example. The American Correctional Association (http://www.aca.org/) is another.

Earning any degree can be expensive. Yet, you might be surprised at the funding options available to you. When figuring out how to pay for your degree, start by looking for scholarships. A number of the criminal justice professional associations offer scholarships for undergrads at the national, regional and chapter levels. Look for organizations associated with your specific field of study, if you have already narrowed your interests. You'll find more opportunity and less competition there. Similarly, if you have narrowed your search to a few specific universities and colleges, check with them to see what scholarships might be available that are specific to that school. Another option is to look for study grants and work-to-learn programs offered by potential employers. Some government agencies will contribute to your education in exchange for your work as an intern. Not only can you earn money toward your education, you may well end up with a secure position post degree.

Featured Schools Accepting Students from Across the US:

University of Phoenix

Programs Offered:
B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Human Services
B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Management
B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration - Institutional Healthcare

Everest University Online

Programs Offered:
Criminal Justice (Bachelor's)
Criminal Justice (Associate's)
Criminal Investigations (Associate's)

Post University

Programs Offered:
B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
B.S. in Criminal Justice
B.S. in Legal Studies

Virginia College

Programs Offered:
BS - Criminal Justice

Kaplan University

Programs Offered:
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in International and Comparative Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

Strayer University

Programs Offered:
BSCJ: Criminal Justice Admin
BBA: Legal Studies

Colorado Technical University Online

Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

American InterContinental University Online

Programs Offered:
Bachelor's (BIT) - Digital Investigation
Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science

Baker College Online

Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Walden University

Programs Offered:
B.S. in Human Services - Criminal Justice 
B.S. in Criminal Justice
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Law & Legal Studies

Everest College Phoenix

Programs Offered:
Criminal Justice (Bachelor)
Criminal Justice (Associate)
Criminal Investigations (Associate)

Keiser University

Programs Offered:
Criminal Justice, AA (Online)

Western International University

Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
Bachelor of Science in Business / Minor in Legal Studies

ITT - Online

Programs Offered:
BS - Criminal Justice
AA - Criminal Justice

DeVry University

Programs Offered:
Bachelor's - Business Administration - Security Management

Ashworth College

Programs Offered:
Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
Forensic Science