The criminal justice sector may offer a wide range of opportunities for students who want to contribute to their community in areas such as law enforcement operations, community policing and security management. The Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice degree program emphasizes the development of communication and professional skills and technical knowledge. The criminal justice courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to establish a foundation in the areas of corrections, administration of justice, criminological theory, law adjudication and law enforcement.

This online criminal justice degree program offers a general track or concentrations in forensic investigations (on campus only) or human services (on campus and online).

• Program Credits: 182
• Each Course Length: 5 Weeks

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a 182-credit-hour program that is offered online and at the Colorado Springs campus. The program consists of 66 credit hours of general education requirements; 56 credit hours devoted to the criminal justice core; and 60 credit hours consisting of the general track plus ten elective options.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program is designed for individuals seeking to begin or advance their education in the law enforcement, corrections, or judicial fields. The curriculum serves as preparation for students interested in serving the diverse needs of the criminal justice system. It is designed to provide a solid foundation in the administration of justice, corrections, criminological theory, law adjudication, and law enforcement. The program emphasizes the development of communication skills and professional skills along with the technical knowledge that will help students prepare for positions of responsibility and leadership within the criminal justice community.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

The mission of the College of Security Studies is to provide engaging instruction and knowledge through public service programs that align with industry relevant standards and cultivate professional competencies, critical-thinking, ethical decision-making, and cultural awareness to promote social justice.

For the 11th consecutive year, CTU's Online Bachelor's degree programs are ranked among the Best Online by U.S. News & World Report.*

*CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Online Programs.

Learning Outcomes

BSCJ Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge and application of criminal justice principles
• Demonstrate knowledge of the psychological and sociological dimensions of human behavior and crime
• Identify basic concepts relating to law enforcement, corrections and the courts
• Examine and integrate the emerging trends in the criminal justice system
• Show comprehension of the need for interactions between the community and the criminal justice system that honors inclusion, diversity, and equity