Students in the BCJ Bachelor of Criminal Justice program will study the societal forces that define crime, influence definitions of justice, shape offending and crime rates, and sway public reactions to it. They will also learn about the root causes of crime and how to develop effective crime prevention programs.
Keeping people, neighborhoods and nations safe is at the heart of this online bachelor’s degree program. The curriculum explores timely issues, including violence and victims, justice-involved mental health populations, policing innovations and national security. It also builds your critical thinking and communication skills. The program offers you the flexibility to fit your studies around your schedule and career commitments. Fraternal Order of Police members and their dependents receive a 20% scholarship off Instructional Fees.
An online baccalaureate in criminal justice can prepare you for careers in law enforcement, corrections and administration, crime prevention, forensic science, terrorism and more. The program combines the skills and knowledge of a liberal arts undergraduate degree with the focus and expertise of a professional degree. You’ll also have the opportunity to tailor your studies by selecting three criminal justice electives that align with your interests and career goals.
Faulkner University’s bachelor’s degree in criminal justice online is designed to help you advance in your current position or find a new one. Its courses cover topics like policing, serial crime and American society law, as well as providing you with a Christian framework to guide your career.
Prepare for the BCJ - Bachelor of Criminal Justice exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
A criminal justice degree is a good choice for those who want to work in law enforcement, corrections, or the courts. Criminal justice majors take courses that explore legal traditions, judicial administration, and criminology. They may also study how criminals commit crimes, and how to rehabilitate them after their release from prison or jail.
The field of criminal justice is multidisciplinary, and combines elements from psychology, political science, the physical sciences, and criminology. Criminal justice professionals are dedicated to ensuring a just society and maintaining peace through law enforcement. They may also serve as forensic investigators, victim advocates, and probation officers.
Those with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can earn a solid salary, and may be eligible for retirement benefits and insurance plans. In addition, many criminal justice jobs offer excellent career prospects and the opportunity to make a difference in their community. They can also become part of a prestigious professional organization, such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, which promotes research and advocacy for social justice reform.
Depending on the institution, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice may be offered as a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science (B.S.). Universities and institutions may differ in the particular nomenclature (B.A. or B.S.) of the criminal justice degree. With classes from fields like sociology, psychology, and political science, a B.A. in criminal justice frequently stresses the social and cultural dimensions of crime and justice. The focus of a B.S. in criminal justice, on the other hand, is typically more scientific and technical, including courses in forensic science, crime analysis, and research methodologies. The easiest way to find out whether a specific university offers a B.A. or B.S. in criminal justice is to look at the program’s criteria and curriculum.
Criminal Justice provides knowledge applicable to employment in law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, working with young offenders, criminal law, security, and border control, among others. Criminal Justice examines the criminal justice system and how criminals and victims are treated.
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the nature and causes of crime and delinquency, the origins and meaning of law and social control (with an emphasis on criminal law), the nature of the criminal justice system and the processing of cases through that system, and proposals for reducing crime and delinquency. The curriculum is meant to provide a wide education, prepare students for professions in various criminal justice settings, and prepare students for graduate school.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice focuses on the study of crime, law enforcement, and the broader topic of criminal justice. It introduces students to crime theories, law enforcement tactics, the legal system, and related topics. The curriculum may include criminal law, criminology, police work, corrections, forensic science, and criminal investigations. Graduates can pursue professions in law enforcement, probation and parole, prisons, crime investigation, and forensic science, among other criminal justice system positions. The curriculum and program structure of this degree program may differ per institution.
COBRA test takers often supplement with our CJBAT practice test — both assess the reasoning and judgment skills critical for Florida law enforcement careers.
NCIC test-takers in law enforcement often also prepare with our police officer practice test 2026 to reinforce criminal justice database and documentation fundamentals.