Bachelor of Arts
Criminal Justice & Criminology
Program Overview
Develop your leadership skills and open up management opportunities with Austin’s only online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Criminology from Concordia University Texas. Our program provides you with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in criminology, and it all takes place in a convenient, accessible learning environment that connects you with your professor and peers.
The field of criminal justice spans several public service areas. Opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, security, the courts and more are rewarding options for giving back to your community. With the right knowledge and skills, you can pursue a future in protecting others and making a difference.
Pursue a faith-based approach to your education in the BA in Criminal Justice & Criminology program. You can earn your degree with the general track or in one of two special emphasis tracks: management of law enforcement or homeland security. To further customize your degree, choose a minor outside of your specialty track.
Benefits of the program include:
- Focused curriculum: The in-depth course of study includes coverage of criminology, law, ethics and more.
- A trusted education: Since 1926, we have provided students with a valuable degree that is rooted in the liberal arts.
- Convenience: Our online program allows you to balance your degree program with your work schedule and personal commitments. And you can earn your degree at a pace that works for you.
- Year-round support: Our online help desk is available 24/7/365.
- Next Start Date: May 7, 2018
- Credit Hours: 128
- Course Length: 8 Weeks
Career Outcomes
There are many career possibilities with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology. The lab, local and federal law enforcement, corrections, private and homeland security, the courts, crime scene investigation, probation — these are some of the roles you can pursue with your degree.
Possible career outcomes include:
- Parole Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist - Median salary: $48,190
- Fish and Game Warden - Median salary: $53,260
- Police or Sheriff Patrol Officer - Median salary: $55,270
- Security Manager - Median salary: $59,682
- FBI Special Agent - Median salary: $63,021
- Prison Warden - Median salary: $75,111
Admission Requirements
A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on all college-level coursework, or a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA if fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours, is required. Students who do not meet the requirements will be evaluated by the admissions committee and may still be eligible for provisional admission to the program.
click here to begin your application. If you need help, our supportive staff is here. Email us at onlineadmissions@concordia.edu or call 844-CTX-CTX1 (844-289-2891) for assistance or to learn more about the program.
Get StartedCourse List
To earn your BA in Criminal Justice & Criminology, 128 credit hours are required, and classes are offered all year. Up to 83 transfer credits are accepted, so you can finish your degree even faster.
In addition to the General Education Core Requirements, students must successfully complete the following for the major:
Choose one of the following courses:
ENG 2301 World Literature: Classicism
HIS 2321 History of Western Civilization to 1715
HIS 2322 Western Civilizations from 1715
HIS 3308 Asian History and Culture
HIS 3301 History of Mexico
HIS 3314 Traditions/Values of Classical Civilizations
HON 3311 Critical Thinking about Great Texts
PHL 3301 Survey of Western Philosophy
Complete two consecutive terms (at least six credit hours) of a non-English language.
CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice (Prerequisite for all CRIJ courses)
CRIJ 2313 Corrections, Probation, and Parole
CRIJ 2328 Police Systems and Practices
PSY 2341 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
PSY 2491 Research Methods and Scientific Writing for the Behavioral Sciences
CRIJ 3302 Criminal Law
CRIJ 3311 Criminology
CRIJ 3314 Ethics in Criminal Justice
CRIJ 3300 Faith and Justice
CRIJ 4350 Capstone Course (taken after completion of 37 SH within major)
CRIJ Choice of 12 SH Track – GT, HST, FCT, or MLET
For those students who wish for a career in the local, state or federal law enforcement communities or who desire to move onto graduate studies.
Any four (4) CRIJ classes.
One of these courses may consist of a 3000 or 4000 level POLS, SOC, or PSY course related to CRIJ, not otherwise required for the major, with approval from the Program Director.
For those students who wish for a career in the state or federal law enforcement or intelligence communities.
CRIJ 3320 Homeland Security
CRIJ 3330 Psychology / Sociology of Terrorism
CRIJ 3322 Roots of Terrorism
Choose one of the following courses:
CRIJ 3325 Transnational Crimes
CRIJ 3309 Gangs and Organized Crime
CRIJ 3303 Liability in Criminal Justice
CRIJ 3306 Management of Law Enforcement
BADM 3311 Principles of Managment
One other Junior or Senior level BADM or COM class must be chosen. Recommendations include the following:
BADM 3340 Human Resource Management
COM 3310 Public Relations
COM 3331 Organizational Communication
The CRIJ major has been designed without additional elective options. However, the CRIJ Department recommends, as a student’s overall studies allow it, that any CRIJ minor or CRIJ major, especially those desiring to pursue CRIJ-related graduate studies, take as many CRIJ courses as possible.
CRIJ 3303 Liability in Criminal Justice
CRIJ 3304 Criminal Investigation
CRIJ 3310 Juveniles in Criminal Justice
CRIJ 3312 Criminal Profiling
CRIJ 3313 Forensic Science and Criminalistics
CRIJ 3316 Victimology
CRIJ 3307 Defense and Prosecution Practice and Strategies
CRIJ 3301 The Faithful Lawyer
CRIJ 3313 White Collar Crime
CRIJ 3309 Gangs & Organized Crime
CRIJ 3320 Homeland Security
CRIJ 3330 Psychology / Sociology of Terrorism
CRIJ 3322 Roots of Terrorism
CRIJ 3325 Transnational Crimes
CRIJ 4305 Crime Mapping & Intelligence
CRIJ 3306 Management of Law Enforcement