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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.

Program at a Glance:

Credits:

121

Format:

Online and Hybrid formats

Transfer Credits:

Up to 90 transfer credits can be applied to this degree

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.

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.

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
PRC PRC 100 or PRC 101* 1
BIS 111 Application Software Fundamentals 3
COM 112 Speech Communication 3
COM 312 Practical Reasoning 3
ENG 101 English Composition 3
ENG 103 Rhetoric and Research 3
HUM 102 Introduction to Ethics 3
HUM/HIS Humanities/History Core (choose 1) 3
MAT 101 Introduction to College Mathematics 3
MAT Mathematics Core (choose 1) 3
SCI Science Core (choose 2) 6
SOC SCI Social Science Core (choose 2)
Recommended SOC 101 General Sociology & PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
6
GEN ED General Education Core (choose 1)
Recommended PSC 101 American Government
3
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Min. Credits
CJS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
CJS 104 Criminal Court System 3
CJS 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods 3
CJS 204 Criminal Law 3
CJS 207 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3
CJS 210 Law Enforcement & Police in Society 3
CJS 213 The Correctional System 3
CJS 224 Juvenile Justice 3
CJS 225 Criminology 3
CJS 304 Advanced Criminal Law and Procedure 3
CJS 310 Victims and Victimization 3
CJS 440 Criminal Justice Capstone II 3
CJS ELE Criminal Justice Electives (choose 4) 12
ELE Elective 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.