Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Total Credit Hours

120

Cost Per Credit Hour

$340

Build Your Career in Law Enforcement or Public Service

Take the next step toward a rewarding career in criminal justice with the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from LSU Alexandria. This flexible, fully online program combines a strong academic foundation with practical, hands-on learning that prepare you to excel in one of today’s most dynamic and impactful fields.

You’ll explore core areas of the criminal justice system—including legal studies, criminology, and ethics—while also gaining specialized knowledge through electives like forensics, crime scene investigation, correctional management, administration, and private security. For those interested in psychology, the program also offers a concentration in Criminal Psychology, giving you the unique ability to apply psychological insight to criminal justice and law enforcement such as offender profiling basics, investigative interviewing, evidence-based interventions, and behavioral threat assessment.

Throughout your studies, you’ll sharpen critical skills employers demand: problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and investigative thinking. You’ll also benefit from LSUA’s engaging online format, which allows you to learn at your own pace while connecting with faculty and peers. This flexible approach makes it possible to balance your education with work, family, and community commitments—without putting your life on hold.

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, protective services, and security management at the local, state, and federal levels. 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.

With the perfect balance of theory, practice, and flexibility, this degree opens doors to diverse career paths in one of the most essential fields in society—helping you make an impact in your community and beyond.

This degree also offers two concentrations: Criminal Psychology and General Criminal Justice.

Application Deadline

Apr 6, 2026

Classes Begin

May 11, 2026

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Credit for Military and Law Enforcement Training

Turn your military or law enforcement training into college credit to help you finish your degree faster.

Expert Faculty

Learn from full-time expert faculty and practitioners who bring real-world knowledge to every course. .

Top Ranked

LSUA is ranked in the Top 30 Best Online Colleges by Niche.com for 2025.

Become More Marketable

This degree can help you make yourself more marketable and increase your promotability in the criminal justice field.

Omega Nu Lambda Online Honors Society

Students enrolled in this program are eligible for membership in the Omega Nu Lambda (ONL) Honor Society. Created to recognize the academic excellence of online students, ONL provides access to exclusive networking opportunities, scholarships, and a lifelong community of like-minded achievers. Enrich your college experience and connect with peers globally through Omega Nu Lambda!

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Explore This Program

Cost Online Criminal Justice

Total credit hours per program: 120 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $340

Total cost with fees and maximum amount of credits allowed to transfer into the program: $10,200

Total cost with fees: $40,800

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.

Course Listing Online Criminal Justice

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)

Admission Requirements Online Criminal Justice

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

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.

Career Opportunities Online Criminal Justice

What Will I Learn? Online Criminal Justice

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.

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

Why choose the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from LSUA? Online Criminal Justice

Build your resume with a top-ranked degree

Earn a diploma identical to every on-campus LSUA graduate

Take advantage of affordable tuition and financial aid options

Learn from field-experienced faculty

Prepared for entry-level careers in law enforcement, courts, protective services, law and corrections, security, court administration, and social services

Concentrations Online Criminal Justice

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

The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from LSUA offers a concentration in 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

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Take the first step forward by completing the form and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:

Additional information on the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online program
Financial aid options (employer funding, military benefits)
Receiving credit for past education (transfer, professional development)
The admissions process and timeline

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