Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Online

Prepare for a successful future in law enforcement, the judicial system, or graduate school when you explore complex crime issues such as victimology, criminology, police leadership, administration of justice, and law adjudication.

Next Apply Date: 4/22/24
Next Class Start Date: 5/6/24
Apply Now

Program Overview

Get to Know our 100% Online BA in Criminal Justice

Answer the call to be a positive force within law enforcement, courts and corrections by earning your Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice online from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Designed to help you succeed and advance in local, state, federal and private agencies (as well as law school and graduate study), this program strengthens your foundational knowledge and analytical skills.

Our online curriculum connects theory to practice using a comprehensive approach to complex crime issues from political, legal, psychological and sociological perspectives. As a student, you will gain a strong understanding of key criminal justice subject areas, including victimology, criminology, police leadership, administration of justice, and law adjudication.

What Do You Learn in Criminal Justice:

  • Knowledge of key functions and recent developments in the criminal justice system
  • Ability to follow and implement the role of law enforcement, courts, correctional and juvenile agencies
  • Perform sociological research on crime, theories of criminal behavior and trends in criminal law and correction
  • Analyze criminal and social justice issues, including the role of the criminal justice system in relation to other societal institutions
  • Knowledge of key functions and recent developments in the criminal justice system
  • Ability to follow and implement the role of law enforcement, courts, correctional and juvenile agencies
  • Perform sociological research on crime, theories of criminal behavior and trends in criminal law and correction
  • Analyze criminal and social justice issues, including the role of the criminal justice system in relation to other societal institutions

Careers in Criminal Justice

  • FBI Agent
  • Customs Officer
  • U.S. Marshals Service
  • Probation Officer
  • Loss Prevention Manager
  • Victim Advocate
  • Insurance Claims Representative
  • Law School
  • FBI Agent
  • Customs Officer
  • U.S. Marshals Service
  • Probation Officer
  • Loss Prevention Manager
  • Victim Advocate
  • Insurance Claims Representative
  • Law School

Also available:

Southeastern offers a variety of specialized online program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.

Per Credit Hour $306*
Transfer Hours Up to 90 Hours
Credit Hours 124
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Need More Information?

Call 844-515-9100

Call 844-515-9100

Why choose a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice?

Learn both the theory and practice of criminal justice in this well-rounded program.

Tuition

Choosing our online degree is cost effective

Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers its students the opportunity to earn their online degree with affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition that includes fees.

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's Southeastern record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
SE-B-CJ

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour $306*

Calendar

Review these important dates

Our course schedule features multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to get started. View the full calendar chart below for upcoming start dates and important corresponding deadlines.

8 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineLast Class Day
Spring II3/4/242/19/242/19/243/1/244/17/244/28/24
Summer I5/6/244/22/244/22/245/3/245/28/246/23/24
Summer II6/24/246/10/246/10/246/21/247/26/248/11/24
Fall I8/19/248/5/248/5/248/16/249/27/2410/6/24
Fall II10/14/249/30/249/30/2410/11/2411/12/2412/8/24

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 4/22/24
Class Starts 5/6/24

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Follow our streamlined admission requirements for the online criminal justice degree

Let's start boosting your career! The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for this online program, along with information on required documentation.

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts
  • College Placement Test

To meet the admission requirements for the B.A. in Criminal Justice, applicants must submit a complete application, pay the $30 non-refundable application fee, and meet the following criteria:

Transfer Students: Students who have attempted seven or more semester hours of college credit. Remedial and activity courses are not counted.

  • Students are accepted as long as their cumulative GPA is a 2.0 or higher. If the student's cumulative GPA is less than a 2.0 but it does not indicate a suspension, they can enroll at SOSU for the upcoming semester; however, they would be placed on probation until that cumulative GPA reaches at least a 2.0. If their last semester does indicate a suspension, they would be required to sit out a semester before enrolling at SOSU. If a student has two suspensions, they must attend another school and raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher before being accepted to SOSU.
  • College placement testing: Students will be required to take a test in each of the three areas (English, Math and Reading) unless they have successfully completed a college course in that area or have provided ACT scores of at least a 19. Students who have not scored high enough in the Science area automatically have a deficiency until they clear the Math & Reading deficiencies. If they do not pass the placement test, they will be required to either complete a remedial course or will have an additional lab component. These deficiencies should be completed within the first 12 credit hours (typically one semester). Our Learning Center can provide more information if you have further questions.

Adult Freshmen: 21 or older and has earned no more than six hours of college credit after high school graduation. Concurrent work is excluded.

  • Provide a completed high school transcript or GED
  • College placement testing is required if the student does not provide ACT or SAT scores. See testing information above.

New Freshmen: A student who has earned no more than six hours of college credit after high school graduation. Concurrent work is excluded.

  • Minimum ACT of 20 (or SAT equivalent) or 2.7 overall high school GPA and top 50% of graduating class OR 2.7 GPA in the 15-unit core curriculum (four English, three Math, three History, three Science and two Electives)
  • College placement testing: There are three tests (English, Math and Reading) that are given to students who do not score at least a 19 on the ACT or equivalent SAT scores in that area. Students who have not scored high enough in the Science area automatically have a deficiency until they clear the Math & Reading deficiency.

If the student does not pass the placement test, they will be required to either complete a remedial course or will have an additional lab component. These deficiencies are required to be completed within the first 24 credit hours (typically two semesters). Our Learning Center can provide more information if you have further questions.

Returning Students: Students who have not attended any other school since leaving SOSU are accepted under the following circumstances:

  • The student has a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0; or
  • If the student's cumulative GPA is under a 2.0 and their final semester with SOSU was on academic probation, they can return on probation. This status will stay in effect until the student raises their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0.
  • For students who have been suspended, university policy states that for the first suspension, a student must sit out at least one semester before returning. If a student has two suspensions, they must attend another school and raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher before being accepted to SOSU.

International Application and Admissions Requirements: Please note, unfortunately, students with an F-1 visa are ineligible for online programs.

  1. Complete the application.
  2. Academic Records:
    • Original final post-secondary transcript(s) and diploma(s) from each college or university attended. If your transcript is not issued in English, we require the original document as well as an English translation done by your school(s) or a professional translating company. Original = issued by a school or examination board with an official signature and school stamp or seal.
    • Post-secondary records from outside the U.S. must be analyzed by a NACES (www.NACES.org) educational credential evaluation service such as IERF or WES or ECE. For IERF, students need to choose the "detailed report" option and select Southeastern Oklahoma State University from the menu. IERF will send the evaluation of your records to our International Student Services office.
  3. English Proficiency: Internet-based TOEFL score of 61 or an IELTS Academic score of 5.5; taken within 2 years of enrollment.
    • For TOEFL, let us know your registration number and have your score report sent to Southeastern (institution code: 6657).
    • For IELTS, let us know your TRF number.
    • You do not need TOEFL or IELTS scores if you meet one of the following:
      • English is your first language
      • You graduated from a U.S. high school with 4 years of English
      • You have a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university
      • You have 24 hours of college or university credit in the U.S. with a grade point average of 3.0 or better (including English Composition I and II)

Official sealed transcripts from all previous institutions should be sent to Southeastern Oklahoma State University:

Southeastern Oklahoma State University/Registrar
425 W. University Blvd.
Durant, OK 74701-3347

Email: [email protected]

What can I do with a degree in Criminal Justice?

Graduates of this program are prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in both state and federal agencies.

Courses

View the degree plan for our Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice online program

For the B.A. in Criminal Justice online, students must complete a minimum of 124 credit hours. The curriculum is comprised of 30 Core credit hours, 31 Organizational and Strategic Communication credit hours, 44 General Education credit hours, 18-24 credit hours in a minor, and 12 elective hours selected in consultation with an advisor to meet university requirements for graduation.

Students must complete 44 credit hours of General Education courses from the following categories.

Communications (9 hours)
English (ENG 1113 and ENG 1213)
Speech Communication (COMM 1233 or COMM 2213)

Social Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)
Political Science (POSC 1513)
American History (HIST 1513 or 1523)
Social Science (ECON 2113, SOC 1113, or GEOG 2723)
Mental and Physical Health (KIN 1113)

Science and Mathematics (14 hours)
Biological Sciences (BIOL 1114)
Physical Sciences (PSCI 1114 or 1414)
Mathematics (MATH 1303, 1483or 1513)
Computer Proficiency Requirement (BIM 1553 or CIS 1003)

Humanities (9 hours)
Humanities, Philosophy, and Lit (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113, 2223; or PHIL 2113)
Fine Arts (ART 1003, 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 1123, 3133; or THTR 1143, 1183, 2183, 3183)
Foreign Language (SPAN 1113, CHTW 1513 or NS 1213)

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Survey of United States history from 1876 to present. Required to take (HIST 1513 or 1523)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of art from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures as both product and process. Aesthetic judgment making in evaluation of art from different times and places is stressed. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of the structures and functions of the United States federal government and the political process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A listening survey of popular styles in America, such as folk, jazz, rock, or country-western. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students perform a variety of speeches and learn organization, research, structure and delivery techniques. Students learn conference techniques and interviewing skills. Required to take COMM 2213 or COMM 1233
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the nature of market economies and the roles of private and public institutions and organizations in facilitating the efficient production, exchange, consumption, and accumulation of wealth. Overall performance concerns with inflation, unemployment, and growth are examined in the light of a variety of theoretical policy perspectives. May be taken before ECON 2213. Required to take one of three of these courses - Social Science (ECON 2113, SOC 1113, or GEOG 2723)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of philosophical thought as an approach to daily living and survey of major value systems. Required to take (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113; or PHIL 2113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a survey course in which music is studied within the context of culture. This will involve studying music from a global perspective, exploring music both as a phenomenon of sound and a phenomenon of culture. Students will examine representative examples of music in the Western and non-Western world and develop a vocabulary and deeper understanding to discuss the musical and social aspects of each culture. In addition, students will learn to identify style characteristics, structural components, instruments, ensemble types, and dance forms from each culture. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A survey of the subfields of psychology including physiological, perception, motivation, learning, personality, abnormal and social, to enable the student to recognize bases for behavior and to develop an understanding of human behavior and experience. Required to take (KIN 1113 or PSY 1113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the unifying principles of biology. The methods of science will be illustrated in the study of the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, energy, genetics, development, evolution, and ecology. With laboratory.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
(Second Half). Academic writing, with emphasis on technique and style. Includes a research component and refining of skills. (Prerequisite: ENG 1113; fulfills three hours of general education requirements in grammar and composition.)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of selected literary works, with emphasis on both understanding literary forms and grasping literature as commentary on life. (Same as HUM 2313) Required to take (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113; or PHIL 2113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students will explore basic and cultural trends through a close study of a variety of important films throughout the medium's history. The course will establish critical criteria for evaluating films and expose students to the basic technical elements of the film artist's process. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the issues of interpretation and evaluation in art by studying a variety of models of inquiry. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Intended for students who have had very little or no exposure to Spanish either in school or at home. Basic vocabulary, present tense, and cultural knowledge are covered. Required to take (SPAN 1113 or NS 1213).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study involving the integration of principles of health and wellness that expand one's potential to make informed choices about life styles. Lectures with corresponding laboratory experiences are designed to aid students in personal fitness and wellness development. Required to take (KIN 1113 or PSY 1113).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Survey of United States history from discovery to 1876. Required to take (HIST 1513 or 1523)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to physical science including physics, chemistry, geology, and meteorology; with laboratory. Required to take (PSCI 1114 or 1414)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This class explores Chickasaw culture, history, art, governance, language, and philosophy. Basic Chickasaw language instruction is also a significant component of this class. Required to take (SPAN 1113 or NS 1213)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory astronomy including early history, fundamentals of light and gravity, earth and the solar system, star fformation and death, galaxies and the cosmos. This course involes simple algebra to explain the methods and physical concepts which are used to provide an understanding of the modern view of the universe. Lab/observations included. (Prerequisite or corequisite: ACT Math of 19 or higher or MATH 1513 or MATH 1543). Required to take (PSCI 1114 or 1414).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Unity of philosophy and the arts in the ancient and medieval world. Emphasis on relevance to present life. Required to take (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113; or PHIL 2113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of selected works from the great authors of Greece, Rome, Spain, Russia, France, Germany, Asia, and Latin America. (Prerequisite: ENG 1213) Required to take (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113; or PHIL 2113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will explore the principles of film appreciation and analysis through lecture, readings, and viewing of films and film excerpts from the American experience in the medium. Students will also examine advanced film analysis, including the principles of montage, camera movement, lighting, sound, directing, acting and how these have been influenced by American artists and the Hollywood industry. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The study of functions, systems of equations, theory of equations, sequences and series, matrices and determinants, combinatorics. (Prerequisite: MATH ACT of at least 19 or a passing score on the departmental placement exam or MATH 0123.) Required to take (MATH 1303 or 1513).
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practice of the fundamentals of the writing process in personal and expository writing. Emphasis is on supporting a thesis with specific detail, writing for a particular audience, sentence structure. and revising and editing. (Fulfills three hours of general education requirement in grammar and composition.)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a survey of the sequential art forms of the comic book and graphic novel as cultural artifact, aesthetic objects, and contemporary narrative. The course will survey the history of these art expressions and analyze how artists use formal style, narrative structure and audience demographics to create sequential art. Required to take (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183)

Students must complete the following courses for a total of 30 credit hours:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an analysis of differing criminal justice systems across nation-states. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a critical overview of policing and current issues that relate to law enforcement in the U.S. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the dynamics, etiology, prevention, and treatment of abnormal behavior, including the anxiety and psychosomatic disorders, depressive disorders, social and interpersonal disorders, psychoses, substance abuse disorders, and other abnormal personality patterns. (Prerequisites: PSY 1113 and three additional upper division hours of psychology)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A current review of scientific literature in one of the areas of criminal justice; policing, legal systems, corrections of juvenile justice. (Prerequisites: CJ 2533, SOC 4333, instructor permission) (Variable hours 1-4)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of drugs and their effects. This course examines physiological, psychological and societal effects of drug misuse and abuse in our society. In addition, the historical development of behavior-altering substances from the early Chinese to the modern drug culture is studied.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the empirical approaches and techniques in Sociology, including the study of both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of the historical development of the correctional system and a complete analysis of the system. Topics included are the prison community, effects of incarceration, rehabilitative efforts, and community treatment strategies. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is the study of administration and organization of the major components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and the courts. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 16 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the philosophy and methods related to sociological research. (Prerequisite: SOC 1113 and 3003)
Duration: 16 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an in-depth, comprehensive research project designed to provide students the accumulation of the criminal justice program. (Prerequisites: CJ 2533, SOC 4333, CJ 3113, CJ 3123, CJ 3133, SOC 3523, SOC 3033, SOC 3123, 9 elective hours)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive survey of contemporary and classical theories of personality, personality development, and concepts used in understanding personality. (Prerequisite: PSY 1113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the current legal system, both criminal and civil. The course will focus on the historical development of the U.S. legal system and introduce students to the legal requirements of our system of justice. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A historical and contemporary examination of crime and how victims are treated in contemporary society. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the historical development and contemporary practices related to the major components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an examination of statutory criminal law and its application to law enforcement and the criminal courts in the United States. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Criminal investigation procedures including case preparation, specific techniques for specific offenses, and crime science. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the laws governing the field of corrections from both the inmates’ and correctional employees’ points of view. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of research and theory related to the causes, extent, and correction of delinquency.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Summary of sociological research on crime, theories of criminal behavior, and trends in criminal law and correction.

Students must complete two of the following courses for a total of 6 credit hours: CJ 3333, CJ 3323, CJ 3343, CJ 3433, CJ 4283, CJ 4403, SFTY 3133
Students must complete one of the following courses for a total of 3 credit hours: PSY 3373, PSY 4313

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is the study of administration and organization of the major components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and the courts. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Criminal investigation procedures including case preparation, specific techniques for specific offenses, and crime science. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A historical and contemporary examination of crime and how victims are treated in contemporary society. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an examination of statutory criminal law and its application to law enforcement and the criminal courts in the United States. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the laws governing the field of corrections from both the inmates’ and correctional employees’ points of view. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an analysis of differing criminal justice systems across nation-states. (Prerequisite: CJ 2533)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of drugs and their effects. This course examines physiological, psychological and societal effects of drug misuse and abuse in our society. In addition, the historical development of behavior-altering substances from the early Chinese to the modern drug culture is studied.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive survey of contemporary and classical theories of personality, personality development, and concepts used in understanding personality. (Prerequisite: PSY 1113)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the dynamics, etiology, prevention and treatment of abnormal behavior, including the anxiety and psychosomatic disorders, depressive disorders, social and interpersonal disorders, psychoses, substance abuse disorders, and other abnormal personality patterns. (Prerequisites: PSY 1113 and three additional upper division hours of psychology.)

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