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Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice provides you with sound knowledge in the areas of U.S. law enforcement, criminology, investigations, law, and community relations. A wide range of course offerings enable you to focus on juvenile issues, causes of crime and criminal behavior, corrections and incarceration, investigative procedures and techniques, leadership, maritime law, or forensics. This bachelor’s degree will enhance your professional career path if you are currently in the criminal justice field, or can help to prepare you for a new career as a criminologist, agent, or investigator in federal, state or local law enforcement, judicial, and other organizations.
Our criminal justice programs are among the most popular at the university, bringing you peer interactions and an expanded network of criminal justice professionals who are dedicated to safeguarding their communities and nation. Courses in this program are taught by highly credentialed and experienced instructors, many who hold key positions in government agencies or criminal justice organizations.
Note: for a more in-depth study in forensics, consider our Criminal Justice B.S. degree.
Program Courses
The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all courses.
Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Recognize and explain the major international, U.S., and localized law enforcement systems and organization.
- Describe and analyze the political and public administrative aspects of law enforcement organizations.
- Communicate and apply the major theories and concepts of crime, criminal justice, and criminology.
- Conduct research associated with criminal justice and criminology theories.
- Assess the operations, practices, and processes associated with leading standards of evidence and law.
Degree at a Glance
- Number of Credits 120
- Max Transfer Credits 90
- Tuition Per Credit $270 | $250 with military grant
- Program Length 4 years full time
- Program Format Online | Monthly course starts
- Program Director Charles Russo
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Concentrations
Concentrations are designed to help you group courses together so you can further specialize in your field and pursue a more focused path to degree completion. You will be asked to select a concentration when you enroll in this program.
Explore the concentrations available for this program.
General
This general concentration allows you to select from dozens of different concentration courses offered within this program, enabling you to create your own focused area of study. View course catalog for details.View other concentrations in this program to see sample courses.
Maritime Law Enforcement
Analyzes policy and operational strategies used to ensure the security of border and coastal access including defensive measures to protect ports from disruption. Explores laws and doctrines governing navigation and shipping, as well as the law of the sea. Looks at chemical, biological, and radiological classification and response to incidents involving hazardous materials.
Sample Courses
- LSTD401 - Maritime Law
- INTL451 - Terrorism and U.S. National Security
- EDMG240 - Chemistry of Hazardous Materials
- HLSS311 - Border and Coastal Security
- HLSS312 - Port Security
Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership
Provides a solid foundation in the leadership process and its benefits to law enforcement, including identifying one’s personal style, judging the value of diversity in leadership roles, and making socially responsible decisions. Topics include gender roles in leadership, conflict resolution, human resource innovation in the workplace, budgeting, and managing an organization during a paradigm shift.
Sample Courses
- FINC405 - Budget Development and Execution
- HRMT407 - Human Resource Management
- HRMT411 - Dispute Resolution
- MGMT312 - Leadership & Motivation
- MGMT313 - Organizational Change
Entrepreneurship
Brings the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the entrepreneur or small business owner to the study of Criminal Justice. Examines key concepts and principles of the successful small business owner including leadership practices, idea feasibility, funding, and customer service.
Sample Courses
- ENTR150 - Idea Generation
- ENTR200 - Leadership in Small Business Ventures
- ENTR312 - Social Entrepreneurship
- ENTR315 - Financing a New Venture
- ENTR340 - Small Business Customer Service
Admission Requirements
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).
- Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.
Need help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-777-9081 or info@apus.edu.
Undergraduate Tuition Rates
Per credit hour: $270 | $250 with military grant*
*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, APU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans that caps undergraduate tuition at the military TA limit. See all military-affiliated student benefits.
Paying for School
Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:
Ways to Save
Undergraduate Book Grant
Books are provided online at no cost if you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for credit. The undergraduate book grant is estimated to save $600 per academic semester* if you are registered as a full-time student.
Transfer Credits
Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.
Employer Contributions
APU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.
*According to College Board Trends in College Pricing.
