The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program provides a comprehensive exploration of criminal behavior and the responses of law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Students will study law enforcement, the court system, and corrections in light of 21st-century policing principles including public safety, current social justice issues, and the constitutional rights of individuals. Students will explore the impact of crime on victims, offenders, and the general public.

Upon completion of the B.S. in Criminal Justice program, graduates will be able to:

• Understand the underlying causes of crime and criminal behavior, and distinctions between various forms of law violations.
• Demonstrate, defend and critique the structure of the criminal justice system and discuss legal and ethical responsibilities and practices.
• Evaluate, defend and critique differing views of national, state and local laws, policies and enforcement practices.
• Know the role of law enforcement in society, the structure and training of its officers and specializations such as community policing, state police, environmental police, federal law enforcement.
• Know the history, structure and role of federal and local courts; designated courts such as drug courts, juvenile courts, mental health courts and the judicial process; the roles of defense, prosecution and judicial professionals
• Evaluate, defend and critique the role of corrections, correctional facilities and sentenced populations, correctional policies, staffing and roles.
• Research and respond to controversial issues related to law enforcement, sentencing and correctional practices and defend differing views in a scholarly manner.
• Participate thoughtfully in debates on society’s responses to crime: treatment vs. punishment, need for law and respect for human rights, the impact of crime and imprisonment, alternative sentencing and the principles of restorative justice.