Discover career opportunities in your area that match your interests.
Create and download your plan today!
Turn Ambition Into Achievement
Walden offers two ways to complete your BS in Criminal Justice online degree: our traditional course-based format or self-paced Tempo Learning®. Choose the one that best fits your learning style and schedule.
Credit for Professional Credentials
Get academic credit for your state or national Law Enforcement, Corrections, or FBI LEEDA training and save time and money on your degree. See the FAQ for more details.
EXPERIENCED FACULTY
Engage in relevant coursework developed and taught by faculty with a range of professional experience across criminal justice fields.
CAREER EXPLORATION
With one-on-one coaching and access to career development resources , you’ll gain strategies to help you prepare for your next move.
Walden supports you throughout your program with innovative savings (excluding Tempo Learning® format) with our Believe & Achieve Scholarship® and new $1,500 Graduation Award.***
Choose from five BS in Criminal Justice concentrations to focus on the career and future you want. And save time and money with our Criminal Justice Management and Administration AIM (Accelerate Into Master's) concentration by incorporating graduate-level coursework into your bachelor’s program.
Walden's online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice program starts with exploring the basics of criminology, criminal law, corrections, and the judicial system. You’ll then move on to more advanced topics related to your chosen concentration.
Students in this course are introduced to contemporary views and theories of maladaptive and criminal behavior. They examine a broad conceptualization of criminal behavior from an interdisciplinary perspective as well as theories and application of criminal profiling. Students also explore specific views of criminal behavior germane to groups, such as psychopaths, serial offenders, and sexually violent predators. At the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the theories and practices that are the foundations of the field of criminology.
What is the relationship between victims and those who commit crimes against them? How does the criminal justice system protect victims of crime? Who are the secondary victims of crime? In this course, students explore how victims interact with the police and the legal system and their patterns and tendencies. Students review how factors such as class, race, and sexual orientation affect the perception of the victim by different constituents, including the public, the court system, and the media. Students assess the concept of primary and secondary victims and gain knowledge about the range of services and resources available to victims.
In this course, students review recent events that have significantly changed how the legal system interprets the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Code, and the U.S. Patriot Act. Students analyze case studies to further explore relevant events, such as how the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, have broadened the interpretation of certain areas of the law. Students heighten their understanding of how social and historical changes have shifted perspectives and sparked debates on expanding the rights of government versus safeguarding personal civil rights and civil liberties.
Students in this course perform an in-depth analysis of treatment of women and people of color as professionals, litigants, victims, and offenders in the criminal justice system. They further examine systemic outcomes of the intersections of race, class, sexual orientation, and gender for these groups in relation to social justice and social inequality. Through critical examination of readings and data analysis, students will come to understand the complexity of the historical relationship between these groups and the American criminal justice system and broader social context.
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Pursuing your online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is a major decision, which is why we’ve streamlined and simplified the admissions process. Start your journey with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
More information for international applicants.
You’re driven and determined to shape a better world. That’s why Walden offers ways to lower the costs of your BS in Criminal Justice online degree and make your goals more achievable. These include:
Transfer of credits
Special tuition savings
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 181 quarter credit hours | $350 per quarter hour | $63,350 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $2,880 |
| $66,230** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$19,250 $46,980* | ||
*Represents course-based learning format, minimum time to completion, no transfer of credit, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.
Progress at Your Pace. Control Your Cost.
Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each 3-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
| Program | Subscription Period Tuition | Subscription Period PROGRAM Fee | Subscription Period Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS in Criminal Justice | $2,750 | $180 | 3-month subscription period |
| You may be able to complete your BS in Criminal Justice degree in 16 months for under $15,000.* | |||
*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs will depend on your individual pace and transfer credits. A student’s pace is usually determined by their experience, ability to work independently, and availability. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
WHY WALDEN
Stop wondering what’s possible. Walden Wayfinder™ delivers targeted resources and support to transform your degree into your competitive advantage.
MAP YOUR CAREER DESTINATION
Uncover your perfect career match instantly. See high-demand fields, salary potential, and local job openings tailored to your strengths.
NAVIGATE YOUR CAREER PATH
Bypass common obstacles with expert guidance. Your advisor clears the way, experienced faculty equip you with real-world skills.
ACCELERATE YOUR ARRIVAL
Transfer up to 75% of credits. Earn automatic scholarships through our Believe & Achieve Scholarship®. Plus, receive $1,500 upon graduation.*
You have a unique learning style—and a unique schedule. That’s why Walden offers you more than one way to learn.
*Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Scholarship Details for more information.
Walden’s faculty includes experienced criminal justice professionals and subject matter experts, all committed to helping you reach your potential.
Yes, a BS in Criminal Justice degree can be earned fully online. This option provides convenience and flexibility for students who need to balance their studies with work, family, or other commitments.
In an online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you can expect the same rigorous learning experience you’d find in a brick-and-mortar university. For example, Walden’s program includes interactive components such as virtual classrooms, lively discussion forums, robust student support, and access to digital tools and resources. These allow you to engage with your instructors and peers in real time in an immersive learning environment.
Generally, a Bachelor of Arts degree provides more of a humanities or liberal arts perspective on a subject, while a Bachelor of Science degree offers a more specialized approach. Walden's BS in Criminal Justice online program takes specialization a step further by offering multiple concentrations. This allows you to focus your coursework on content that best fits your professional interests and goals.
Criminal justice is a broad and fascinating field that plays an important role in society. It encompasses law enforcement, courts and the judiciary, and the corrections system. For those who want to serve the public and make a positive difference in their communities, earning a BS in Criminal Justice online could be a good choice.
If you have completed recognized Law Enforcement, Corrections, or FBI LEEDA training, you may be able to receive academic credit toward your degree program requirements. See “What specific institutions or organizations have credit agreements with Walden University?” on the Transfer of Credit page (https://www.waldenu.edu/admissions/transfer-of-credit) or talk to your Enrollment Specialist for more information.
