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Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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120 Credit Hours

to Graduate
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Up To 90 Hours

Transfer Credit
Cost per Hour

$434

Per Credit Hour
EKU Online > Online Criminal Justice Degrees & Certificates > Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community by Addressing Issues of Crime and Justice

The need for trained professionals to navigate America’s complex and ever-changing criminal justice system is on the rise. EKU’s online criminal justice degree provides students with the leadership skills and theoretical, ethical, and practical approaches needed to successfully serve and protect their communities. Graduates are prepared to take on key positions in law enforcement, courts, social service agencies and corrections, or to pursue law school or other graduate studies.

Career Outlook

The criminal justice system employs nearly two million people across the nation and offers a variety of career opportunities. These opportunities include corrections, law enforcement, the court system, probation and parole.

Common Job Titles for Criminal Justice Graduates

EKU’s online criminal justice degree combines the professional skills of specialized areas of criminal justice with the analytical skills needed to help you enhance your qualifications and pursue more challenging responsibilities in criminal justice agencies and organizations.

> Learn More About Career Opportunities

Job Titles Include:

  • Correctional officer
  • Victims advocate
  • Court administrator
  • Border patrol agent
  • Treatment specialist

 

Where Have EKU Criminal Justice Graduates Worked?

Criminal justice is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field of study that prepares students for a wide range of career options.

> Learn More About Career Opportunities

Employers Include:

  • Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport Police Department
  • Department of Juvenile Justice
  • Lake Cumberland Youth Development Center

EKU Online Career Services

The EKU Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all of your career and professional development needs.

Services include:

  • Creating/Updating Your Resume and Cover Letter
  • Interviewing Tips and Coaching
  • Career Documents Review
  • Job Search

> Learn More About Career Services

 

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Benefits
Minors & Certificates
Benefits of EKU Online

EKU provides a balanced degree program that promotes respect, tolerance and sensitivity, leading to a deep, practical understanding of justice problems.

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • No campus visits required
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • No application fee
  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • Law enforcement officers that have completed Kentucky’s DOCJT training can receive 9 hours of college credit
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • Generous credit transfer policy
  • Reduced tuition for active duty service members and their spouses
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Study anytime, from anywhere
  • Dynamic, supportive learning environment
Minors & Certificates

Select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits. Suggested minors for Criminal Justice include:

  • Police Studies
  • Psychology
  • Homeland Security

You can also choose from numerous undergraduate certificates in specialty areas that complement and enhance your major as you work toward your degree. Suggested certificates for Criminal Justice include:

  • Correctional Intervention Strategies
  • Youth Services
  • Intelligence Studies

View the full list of certificates available for completion as you earn your degree

Curriculum

EKU’s online criminal justice curriculum prepares students to pursue a variety of rewarding career possibilities by fostering a deep and practical understanding of justice problems. EKU provides a range of courses in justice studies including courses in general criminal justice, policing, corrections, law, juvenile justice, and social justice designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of criminal justice, social services and social advocacy.

Criminal Justice Faculty

Degree Requirements

A total of 120 credits are required to graduate, including 42 upper-division credits.

View the criminal justice program degree requirements:

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation. Learn more about transferring to EKU.

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 7 of the University undergraduate catalog.

CRJ 313 – Criminal Justice Ethics (3)
Examines the moral, legal and normative obligations of the state and criminal justice professionals. Surveys the philosophies and theories of ethics and deviance.

CRJ 331 – Perspectives on Crime and Delinquency (3)
Overview of criminological theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain crime.

CRJ 325  – White Collar Crime/Crimes of the Powerful (3)
A review and analysis of the upper world crimes of business and government committed in the course of legitimate occupations and financial activities.

CRJ 355 – Rural Crime and Justice (3)
Survey of rural crime and justice issues, crime trends, policing and control of rural crime with particular attention given to Kentucky and Appalachia.

Enrollment

Lou Martin

Lou Martin

Enrollment Advisor

Call or email Enrollment Advisor Lou Martin for information about the EKU Online Criminal Justice program.

Contact Info:
859-622-1150
Lou.Martin@eku.edu

Schedule An Appointment

Application Deadlines

Term Application Deadline Classes Begin
Fall A July 5 August
Fall B August 31 October
Spring A November 30 January
Spring B January 31 March
Summer A April 5 May
Summer B  May 31 June

Additional Contact Information

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Success

“

When you talk about a criminal justice program, almost immediately EKU is at the top of the list. And that’s nationwide. The professors and my classmates are so supportive. You feel like you’re set up for success from day one.

Dominique BlessinEKU Online Criminal Justice Student
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Online Military Students

EKU Online offers veterans and active duty military students an unparalleled online learning experience that provides accessibility, convenience and flexibility.

Special Tuition for Active Duty* Military
Eastern Kentucky University offers reduced tuition expenses to $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and $325 per credit hour for graduate courses to all service members currently serving on active duty.

*Active duty is defined as on federal orders for 180 days or more.

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online Graduate

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Heath Bergmann
  • “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
  • “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
  • “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate
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