Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.
Complete this form to receive the Purdue Global program guide.
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Overview
Come back stronger, ready to launch or advance your career in law enforcement or private security. Earn your criminal justice degree online.
- Achieve a respected credential that meets the educational and training expectations of public safety and community leaders.
- Shorten your path to a master’s degree with a graduate program pathway.
- Use your law enforcement POST certification to earn credit toward your degree.
- Complete an optional internship to gain real-world experience.
- Customize your degree by choosing from six concentrations.
Gain the Skills That Employers — and Communities — Need
- Get both professional skills training plus a strong foundation in the U.S. criminal justice system.
- Learn applied research methods and techniques used in the field.
- Understand the development of criminal law and different types of criminal offenses.
- Learn about national law enforcement reform initiatives.
- Explore diversity and inclusivity to understand and address the needs of your community.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your occupational and military training counts as college credit.
Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.
As one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated criminal justice professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
What Courses Will I Take?
In your first course, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.
You will also complete a capstone project and apply the concepts studied online to real-world criminal justice scenarios.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Procedure
- Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
- Computers, Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Systems
- Diversity and Inclusivity in Public Safety
Program Requirements
Concentration Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
Criminal Justice Degree Concentrations
Choose from six criminal justice concentrations to customize your degree:
Business Foundations
Gain competencies in the fundamental concepts of business administration. Develop an understanding of the four functions of management, the components of a marketing strategy, and the financial performance of an organization.
Crime Scene Investigation
Focus on techniques for locating, collecting, and analyzing crime scene evidence.
Forensic Psychology
Study psychology within the context of the criminal justice system.
Homeland Security
Examine the origins of terrorism, response methods to weapons of mass destruction and other disaster incidents, crisis negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Juvenile Justice
Explore the unique needs of youth in today's justice system.
Law Enforcement
Focus on landmark Supreme Court cases and how the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights apply in criminal law.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Reach Your Career Goals Sooner
Use Your Law Enforcement Certification to Earn Credit
If you are a certified law enforcement officer who has completed the national Peace Officer Standard Training (POST), your accomplishments may qualify you to receive 25 credits toward your bachelor’s degree.
Accelerate Your Career With ExcelTrack®
ExcelTrack® is personalized learning that gives you more control over your education, getting you to the same degree faster and for less money.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Get a Head Start on Your Master’s Degree
Complete your master’s degree sooner with a graduate program pathway. It weaves graduate-level courses into your bachelor’s program, giving you a jump on your master’s degree requirements. You’ll save on time and tuition compared with finishing both programs separately.
Plus, your degrees don’t have to be in the same fields. You can customize your academic journey to support your career goals and interests. To learn more, view the University Catalog or connect with an Advisor.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience
The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2.3 years to complete their degree.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military graduate was awarded 62% of the credits needed for an associate and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Tuition Case Study: Military Veteran
See how one student’s experience and a military tuition reduction put them on the fast track to a degree that employers respect.
After pursuing a civilian career at a local police department, a military veteran wanted to advance into leadership roles. But with years of experience, they didn’t want to start their education with “criminal justice 101.” At Purdue Global, their military training and prior learning earned them 92 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, putting them more than halfway toward graduation.
Estimated Remaining Classes: 16
Estimated Remaining Terms to Graduation: 8
| Tuition | Quarter Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BS in Criminal Justice |
$41,400* | 180 |
| U.S. Army Training Credits | -$17,710 | -77 |
| Massasoit Community College Credits | -$3,450 | -15 |
| Total Savings/Credits Awarded | $21,160 | 92 |
| Remaining Tuition/Credits | $20,240 | 88 |
Free Credit Evaluation
To learn how close you may be to a degree by applying transfer, work, and experiential credit, contact a Purdue Global Admissions Advisor for a free evaluation.
*Based on veteran tuition rate of $230 per quarter credit hour.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe a time when you had to mediate a conflict between two individuals? What specific steps did you take to resolve the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a time when your attention to detail helped prevent a major error, or when you caught a mistake in a report or investigation. How did you handle the situation, and what was the result?
- Tell me about a time you successfully collaborated with individuals from different agencies, departments, or even different levels of government on a security-related project or incident. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- Describe a time you had to analyze a large amount of complex or ambiguous information to identify a potential threat or security vulnerability. What was your process, and what did you conclude?
- Tell me about a time you took initiative to improve a process, system, or capability related to security or preparedness without being asked. What was the result?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Investigation
- Law Enforcement
- Rehabilitation
- Accountability
- Report Writing
- Information Gathering
- Detail Oriented
- Research
- Community Outreach
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Critical Thinking
- Criminological Theory
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Keep communities safe and help combat crime. Learn how a career in criminal justice could help you reach your highest potential.