Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Covers core areas such as legal studies, criminology, and ethics
Electives include forensics, crime scene investigation, corrections, administration, and private security
Optional concentration in Criminal Psychology
Criminal Psychology coursework includes offender profiling basics, investigative interviewing, and behavioral threat assessment
Develops in-demand skills: problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and investigative thinking
Prepares graduates for careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, protective services, and security management at local, state, and federal levels
Admissions
Whether you're a first-time freshman or a transfer student, our admissions team is here to support you from day one.
Apply by
May 25, 2026
Classes begin
Jun 29, 2026
I have no college credits
First-Time Freshmen
To be admitted to LSUA as a first-time freshman, you must:
- Complete the high school core curriculum in place at the time of graduation
- Not require more than one developmental (remedial) course
- Have a minimum 2.0 high school GPA
- Meet one of the following:
- Earn an ACT composite score of 20 or higher
- Have at least a 2.0 GPA in Core high school courses
I have some college credits
Transfer Students
To transfer to LSUA, you must meet one of the following:
- Earned a transferable associate degree or higher
- Completed at least 18 college-level credit hours, including college-level English and math, with a grade of "C" or better in each, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Completed at least 12 college-level credit hours through LSUE or the CLTCC Bridge Program, including college-level English and math, with a grade of "C" or better in each, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
If you do not meet the transfer criteria above, you may still qualify by meeting freshman admission requirements and being in good academic standing at your previous institution.
Tuition
LSUA offers competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees. Plus, you may be able to save even more by transferring up to 75% of previous credits.
Tuition & Fees
- 120 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $3401
- Cost per credit hour
- $10,200
- Total cost with fees and maximum transfer credits
- $40,800
- Total cost with fees
The final cost of this program will be determined once all transfer credits are evaluated. Transfer credits may apply for up to 75% of degree requirements. Your academic advisor will work with you to determine if and how any prior college credits or industry credentials earned will apply toward your LSUA degree. For further information about the approval for transfer credits and other requirements, please visit this site.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSUA offers multiple ways to help you fund your education, including financial aid, veteran education benefits, and credit for prior learning. Learn More ›
1 Beginning Fall 1 2026, all LSUA fully online programs are expected to increase by 4% (tuition and fees).
Academics
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, juvenile justice administration, and private sector security.
What Will I Learn?
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Learn about the philosophy, theories, policies, practices, processes, reforms, and interdependent operations of the major components of the criminal justice system
- Gain the ability to analyze, interpret, and critique the application of judicial, legislative, and administrative civil and criminal law to criminal justice subject matter
- Learn about the nature, extent, causation, and prevention of crime
- Learn to analyze, interpret, and critique research methodology and statistics related to criminal justice
- Learn to interpret and analyze data, theories, and relationships relating to criminal justice
Courses
| General Education Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
ENGL 1001 - English Composition I |
3 |
ENGL 1002 - English Composition II |
3 |
Gen Ed Fine Arts (Fine Arts, Music, Theater) |
3 |
HIST 2055: American History I |
3 |
HIST 2057: American History II |
3 |
CMST 2060: Public Speaking |
3 |
General Education Math |
6 |
General Education Natural Science |
9 |
PSYC 2000: Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
CJUS 1107: Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
39 |
| Major Requirements Core | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
CJUS 2002: Professional Writing in Criminal Justice |
3 |
CJUS 2131: Police Process |
3 |
CJUS 2132: The Judicial Process |
3 |
CJUS 2216: Corrections Process |
3 |
CJUS 3025: Ethical Leadership in Criminal Justice |
3 |
CJUS 3030: Research Methods in Criminal Justice & Criminology |
3 |
CJUS 3215: Juvenile Delinquency |
3 |
CJUS 4018: Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice |
3 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
24 |
Students must choose one of the two concentrations listed below:
| Criminal Psychology Concentration Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
PSYC 2070: Developmental Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 3001: Cultural Diversity |
3 |
PSYC 3140: Social Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 3800: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 4060: Drugs and Behavior in Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 4082: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
PSYC 4083: Introduction to Counseling Psychology |
3 |
CJUS 2092: Dynamics of Family Violence |
3 |
CJUS 4461: Criminology |
3 |
CJUS 4465: Victimology |
3 |
CJUS Electives |
9 |
PSYC Electives |
3 |
Free Electives |
15* |
Total Required Credit Hours |
57 |
| General Criminal Justice Concentration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
CJUS 3075: Criminal Procedure |
3 |
CJUS 3530: Corrections within the Community |
3 |
CJUS 4461: Criminology |
3 |
Criminal Justice Electives |
24 |
Free Electives |
24 |
Total Required Credit Hours |
57 |
Course substitutions will be considered. There are often multiple ways to complete degree requirements.
*Free Electives Credits: 15 (students who intend to pursue Graduate School should take the following courses in the order listed: PSYC 2525, PSYC 3017, PSYC 4017).
General Education Science requirement- Students must take either six hours of biology and three hours of physical science or six hours of physical science (in a single discipline) and three hours of biology.
Approved Electives (CJUS, CMST, DSEM, ENGL, HIST, POLI, PSYC, SOCL, LSUA 1001)
Concentrations
The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from LSUA offers two unique concentrations.
General Criminal Justice
Provides a strong foundation in the criminal justice system while allowing you to explore areas such as forensics, crime scene investigation, corrections, and security. The program balances theory with practical application to prepare you for careers in law enforcement, corrections, court administration, and related fields.
Criminal Psychology
This concentration introduces students to criminal behavior through the lens of psychology. Courses explore the connection between mental health and crime, how to identify and assess behavior patterns, and strategies for intervention and rehabilitation. This program supports career paths focused on behavioral analysis, mental health advocacy, and rehabilitation.
Criminal Psychology Concentration topics include:
- An introduction to criminal justice, its historical and philosophical background; its organizations, agencies, and processes; the development of modern practices; and its role in a democratic society
- Instruction and practice in the writing skills required of criminal justice professionals with an emphasis on the composition of memos, letters, reports, and documents
- A study of the role, scope, organization, and management of police agencies
- An examination of the role, function, and structure of the courts and their relationship to the criminal justice system
- A study of the American correctional process with emphasis on the development of current correctional programs and practices, modern rehabilitative processes, and community-based correctional efforts
Careers
Whether your goal is to become a police officer, crime scene investigator, corrections professional, or security analyst, LSU Alexandria’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice equips you with the knowledge and experience to stand out in the job market and advance in your career.
Career Opportunities
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Probation and parole
- Juvenile justice administration
- Private sector security
- Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Secret Service
- Case worker
