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Baker Online

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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Tara Brinkoetter

Director of Enrollment for Online & Graduate Studies & Student Services

Baker Online

Earn Your Online Degree in Criminal Justice

About

Want to give back to your community through a career in the criminal justice system? Then start preparing for your future now at Baker University.

Our online degree in criminal justice weaves together the most significant topics in this field so you’ll be ready to pursue a career in law, politics, law enforcement, court administration, or advocacy.

Our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program offers a small student-to-faculty ratio so you can spend one-on-one time with instructors and participate in personalized discussions during online courses.

Baker faculty—all experienced professionals in the diverse field of criminal justice—help you develop skills in the classroom and the field so you can use your online degree in criminal justice to position yourself for success in tomorrow’s job market.

  • Learn why and how the criminal justice system handles crime and offenders.
  • Gain an understanding of the theory and practices behind the criminal justice system.
  • Explore and understand ethics as they apply to the criminal justice system.
  • Increase your understanding of the role of policing, courts, and corrections.

Baker’s academic advising team acts as your partner as you major in criminal justice. We’ll help you plan your courses so you can efficiently complete our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.

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Degree Details: Major in Criminal Justice

Learning doesn’t have to happen in a classroom. You can study criminal justice at Baker without relocating or leaving your full-time job.

  • Earn your online degree in criminal justice from anywhere.
  • Learn in classes that are held year-round.
  • Accelerated, six-week courses help you finish coursework quickly.
  • Earn your online degree in criminal justice in as few as two years, depending on transfer credits.

Start the journey toward your major in criminal justice by taking the first step in the admissions process.

 

         

Program Highlights: Online Degree in Criminal Justice

A Baker degree in criminal justice prepares you to make an impact at any level. You’ll experience lively group discussions, gain new perspectives from your peers, and listen to firsthand experiences from faculty.

Here’s what else you can expect from your online degree in criminal justice:

The ability to customize. In addition to earning your online degree in criminal justice, you can also choose a concentration area in human resources or psychology to expand your knowledge.

Earn course credit in a distinctive way. Baker’s Prior Learning and Assessment Center recognizes your college-level criminal justice experience outside the classroom. We’ll help you find ways to earn credit for what you know so you can earn your degree in criminal justice faster.

Prepare for a graduate degree. This online degree in criminal justice prepares you to go to law school or enter a criminal justice master’s program.

Learn ethical approaches. You’ll be able to respond to unexpected events in strategic ways to protect people—whether you’re interviewing a suspect, analyzing evidence, talking to a victim, or preparing a court case.

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Exceptional Experiences: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Stand out in a highly competitive workforce. This specialized degree can qualify you for law enforcement leadership positions and higher pay.

Build a mindful foundation. The college experience helps you learn about the psychology behind criminal justice, as well as ethical approaches to law enforcement.

Lead a life of purpose. Law enforcement professionals have one of the most important jobs in the world: to keep people and communities safe.

Excel in a growing field. There will always be a need for skilled professionals at the local, state, and federal levels. This career path offers tremendous opportunity and potential for growth.

         

What Can You Do With a Major in Criminal Justice?

Demand for qualified, ethical criminal justice professionals continues to rise as communities work to manage crime rates and maintain public safety.

Many agencies, both government and private, require a college degree to enter the field—especially if you envision a career in leadership. If you’re already working in law enforcement, then earning an online degree in criminal justice can enhance your skills on the job.

A degree in criminal justice from Baker prepares you for a position at any level: Work in the court system, protect people from criminal activity, support crime victims, and ensure justice.

You’ll be qualified to work toward roles like these:

  • Criminal profiler
  • Deputy sheriff
  • FBI agent
  • Forensic psychologist
  • Forensic investigator
  • Intelligence analyst
  • Investigative reporter
  • Police, probation, narcotics, parole, or correctional officer
  • Private investigator
  • Resource officer
  • Social worker
  • State trooper

No matter what you do or where you go, you’ll know how to make a positive—and ethical—impact in society.

Financial Aid: Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

Learn how affordable your degree in criminal justice can be. You’ll find the return on investment you’re looking for with Baker University’s highly ranked online programs.

In fact, Baker offers the highest return on investment of private colleges in Kansas, according to Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2022).

Financial Aid Options

Tuition & Fees

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Baker Is Military Friendly

Military Advanced Education named Baker University one of America’s Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities. Veterans and active-duty service members and their spouses may qualify for tuition discounts.

Military Benefits

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online criminal justice degree:Meet Our Students

“My experience has been great, and the professors have been nothing but supportive and understanding! They have been so helpful and engaging with me. They have made me feel comfortable even when I didn’t feel confident.”

—Amber | Bachelor’s in criminal justice, class of 2021

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Major in Criminal Justice: Example Courses

An online degree in criminal justice from Baker equips you to address the demands of ever-changing, complex, and increasingly diverse communities.

Gain knowledge and skills through Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice courses like these:

Inequality and Crime: Examine how class, race, and gender intersect with crime and the criminal justice system. Receive an overview of class, race, ethnic, and gender stratification and how they’re reflected in judgments about crime and in the treatment of groups within the criminal justice system.

Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure: Explore the elements of crimes, analyze each step in the criminal process, and examine the constitutional protections guaranteed to individuals facing criminal charges.

Criminal Justice Research: Discover the logic and scientific methods that explain crime and crime control as you learn about conclusions drawn thorough empirical research using a scientific process.

Victimology: Study the victims of crime, the psychological effects they experience after an event, and their relationships with offenders.

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Related Programs at Baker University

Is a degree in criminal justice just one of the programs you’re considering? Baker has other online bachelor’s programs designed for working professionals, too:

Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Gain an understanding of human behavior you can use in any field while learning about the fundamentals of general, developmental, social, learning, and behavioral psychology.

Bachelor of Business Administration: Specialize in one of three programs—business leadership, management, or marketing—and be prepared to solve contemporary workplace challenges.

 

Requirements and Curriculum

Admission Requirements

Course Descriptions

Graduation Requirements