Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice

Pursue a career in creating a safer, fairer society.

Whether you are striving for a career in law enforcement, corrections, forensics or another avenue of justice work, our bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will equip you with the knowledge to help keep people and neighborhoods safe. By studying a mix of sociology and law, students can explore the impact of crime, how information is collected, why crime and delinquency occur and effective strategies to help reduce them.

Why Study Criminal Justice at TESU?

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Criminal Justice at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) prepares you for career advancement or a career change. It's designed for adults looking to deepen their knowledge of law enforcement, corrections, forensics or other areas of criminal justice work, while also gaining the skills offered by a traditional liberal arts education.

Our fully online program allows you to earn your degree on a schedule that works for you, all while receiving high-quality instruction.

Our curriculum is consistent with the criteria established by the Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences (ACJS). Some of the areas you'll study include:

• Administration of justice
• Corrections
• Criminological theory
• Law adjudication
• Law enforcement

What You'll Learn

You'll take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system. You'll develop critical analytical skills and knowledge of the research findings and methods used in the field.

In the program you'll learn to:

• Communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a clear and professional manner.
• Critically analyze and evaluate social science and criminal justice research, theories and policies.
• Employ ethical perspectives and judgment and apply principles of diversity in criminal justice practices.

You'll build a strong liberal arts foundation in your core general education courses. Then you'll take computer science courses and electives such as:

• Criminology
• Introduction to Law Enforcement
• Courts and Criminal Procedures
• Forensic Science
• Public Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice

See Full Curriculum

Turn Your Experience Into Credits

As an adult learner, you bring a wealth of experience and training that can’t be found in a classroom. We believe that many of these experiences have given you college-level knowledge that may translate into college credit. Whether you served in the military or worked in industry, learn how TESU can help put you on the path toward earning your college degree even faster with our flexible ways to earn credit.

Discover Ways to Earn Credit

Transfer Credits to TESU

Have you earned college credit from high school or another higher education institution? TESU helps make sure your hard work counts. Our generous credit transfer options can help you move your education goals forward, saving valuable time and money. Learn more about transferring credit.

Tuition & Financial Aid

TESU is dedicated to your success and can help put your goals of earning your college degree within reach with our academic excellence, flexible online structure, multiple start dates and exceptional value. We offer financial aid assistance and scholarship opportunities to help ease your out-of-pocket expenses and make earning your degree accessible.

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Take the Next Steps

Are you ready to advance your career with a college degree?

Enroll with our online application process and take the next step toward achieving your goals at TESU.

Apply Now