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BA in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Criminal Justice prepares law enforcement officials and adult learners for career change, advancement or graduate education.

Students in the BA in Criminal Justice program focus on the interdisciplinary study of crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system, and develop critical analytical skills, and knowledge of the research findings and methods used in the field.  In addition, students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge in criminal justice.

Learning Outcomes

  • Verbally communicate in a clear professional manner and produce reports and policy papers that are organized, focused and make sound critical arguments
  • Display logical and critical evaluation and analysis of social and criminal justice research literature as well as prevailing criminal justice theories and policies
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic criminal justice process, its structure and the context of the interrelationships between each component of the criminal justice system
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the legal aspects of policing in the United States including the concepts of due process, equal protection and the rules of criminal procedure

BA in Criminal Justice Credit Distribution

Subject Category Credits
I. General Education Requirements 60
A. Intellectual and Practical Skills 15
  • Written Communication
 (6)
  • Oral Communication
 (3)
  • Quantitative Literacy
 (3)
  • Information Literacy
    SOS-110: Living in the Information Age
 (3)
B. Civic and Global Learning 9
  • Diversity
 (3)
  • Ethics
 (3)
  • Civic Engagement
 (3)
C. Knowledge of Human Cultures 12
D. Understanding the Physical and Natural World 4-7
E. General Education Electives 17-20
II. Area of Study: Criminal Justice 33
A. Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
B. Criminology 3
C. Law Enforcement 3
D. Procedures 3
E. Corrections 3
F. Juvenile Justice 3
G. Research Methods 3
H. Ethics in the Justice System 3
I. Criminal Justice Electives*
  • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Gangs
  • White Collar Crime
  • Forensic Science
  • Terrorism
  • Critical Thinking for Homeland Security
  • Counterterrorism
  • Homeland Security: Preparedness, Prevention, and Deterrence
  • Protecting the Homeland: Response and Deterrence
 6
J. Liberal Arts Capstone 3
K. Electives 27
O. Requirements
  • Courses transferred to Thomas Edison State University are equated to the following levels: 100, 200, 300 or 400. A minimum of 18 credits equating to 300 or 400 are required.
Total Credits 120

*This list is a guide. Other criminal justice courses may be appropriate for this area of study.

Transfer Your Credit

Have you attended college before? If so, you may be able to transfer credits earned at other regionally accredited colleges or universities. The University also offers a variety of other ways to earn credit – all designed around the needs of adult learners, like you.

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Vietthi Nguyen, BSAST

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