Peirce-bachelors-criminal-justice

Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

The online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice program prepares students with the analytical, ethical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills required for careers in law enforcement, juvenile justice, community corrections and the courts.

Take Your First Course for Free

Earn Up to 22 Credits at No Cost
For a limited time, we are waiving the cost of PRC 101, our three-week orientation course that is required for most undergraduate students and helps you explore career opportunities. It also makes you eligible to earn a Google Career Certificate, the Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate and take additional courses through our partnership with Coursera at no cost. This means you can earn up to 22 credits for free, which can save you more than $13,000 in tuition (and even more in books).

What You Can Expect

  • Save time and money by applying up to 90 transfer credits toward this degree.
  • Earn up to 57 credits for Philadelphia Police Academy training or up to 27 credits for Philadelphia Division of Prisons training.
  • Embed an employer-recognized certification into your program.
  • Courses are offered in online and hybrid formats.
  • Meet your professors each week during optional, live, virtual sessions.
  • Gain the knowledge and skills that can lead to professional advancement and graduate-level study, including our Bachelor-to-Juris Doctor program with Rutgers Law School.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BS in Criminal Justice program will be able to demonstrate:

  1. The ability to communicate effectively in the criminal justice profession.

  2. Proficiency in the methods for conducting, analyzing, and utilizing criminal justice research.

  3. Effective use of technology employed in the criminal justice system.

  4. The ability to identify and respond professionally to ethical issues in the criminal justice field.

  5. Critical thinking skills when navigating issues in the criminal justice system.

  6. Substantive knowledge and practical skills to succeed in the criminal justice field.

  7. An awareness of the ways in which the criminal justice system continues to change and the role of criminal justice professionals in implementing change.

Program at a Glance:

Credits:

121

Transfer Credits:

Up to 90 transfer credits can be applied to this degree

Courses offered:

Online & Hybrid formats

Cost:

See how you can finish this degree for about $20,000

Per Credit Tuition:

$600 per credit

See if you are eligible for a corporate discount

*Tuition is based on current Peirce College tuition and does not include fees or books.

Emergency Student Aid

Emergency Student Aid grants are available for Peirce students. Grants can be used to pay off balances, cover tuition, buy books, and for all costs of attendance, including food, rent, childcare, and transportation. Learn more.

Curriculum for Our Criminal Justice Degrees

Bachelor of Science Degree Curriculum - Minimum Total Credits: 121


INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Min. Credits
PRCPRC 100 or PRC 101*1
BIS 111Application Software Fundamentals3
COM 112Speech Communication3
COM 312Practical Reasoning3
ENG 101English Composition3
ENG 103Rhetoric and Research3
HUM 102Introduction to Ethics3
HUM/HISHumanities/History Core (choose 1)3
MAT 101Introduction to College Mathematics3
MATMathematics Core (choose 1)3
SCIScience Core (choose 2)6
SOC SCISocial Science Core (choose 2)
Recommended SOC 101 General Sociology & PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology		6
GEN EDGeneral Education Core (choose 1)
Recommended PSC 101 American Government		3


PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:Min. Credits
CJS 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CJS 104Criminal Court System3
CJS 201Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods3
CJS 204Criminal Law3
CJS 207Ethics in Criminal Justice3
CJS 210Law Enforcement & Police in Society3
CJS 213The Correctional System3
CJS 224Juvenile Justice3
CJS 225Criminology3
CJS 304Advanced Criminal Law and Procedure3
CJS 310Victims and Victimization3
CJS 440Criminal Justice Capstone II3
CJS ELECriminal Justice Electives (choose 4)12
ELEElective Courses (choose 10)30

 

Students may select an approved academic track in Human Services Leadership to fulfill elective requirements

Human Services Leadership Academic Track (18 credits):

  • HSL 101 Introduction to Human Services Leadership
  • HSL 201 Basic Helping and Counseling Skills
  • HSL 210 Human Services Delivery Systems
  • HCA 220 Cultural Awareness for Health and Human Services Professionals
  • HSL ELE Choose 2 additional Human Services Leadership courses

Careers in Criminal Justice

A Criminal Justice degree from Peirce gives you the foundation you need to make a difference, impact lives and join other Peirce graduates employed by local Philadelphia agencies; as well as on the state, regional and federal levels.

Graduates typically fall into one of two categories – applied criminal justice and theoretical criminal justice. Careers in the applied field involve the practice of criminal justice, like policing. Careers in the theoretical field deal with the causes of criminal behavior and society’s responses to crime, like forensic psychology or criminology. For more information about potential criminal justice careers for Peirce graduates, visit our Legal Careers page.

Apply Today

Our students come to Peirce's Criminal Justice Studies program because they're looking for a career, not just a job. They want to build a path that will serve them well in their pursuit of life-long work, one that is meaningful and makes a difference, and they recognize the need to obtain the skills that this program provides in order to capitalize on that goal.

Interested in a degree in Criminal Justice Studies? Contact an Admissions Representative and get started with your application.

You can also apply using our online application.

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