UPDATE: This program has been approved for financial aid.
Applications Are Now Open!
Fall 2021: Oct. 1-April 30
SDSU’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Online Degree Completion Program is designed to encourage thoughtful exploration of the ways that criminal justice systems provide “justice,” or fail to do so. The program also focuses on criminal justice from a social justice perspective, allowing for the examination of policy issues as diverse as genocide, institutionalized racism, organized crime, and environmental destruction, in addition to traditional criminal justice issues. This degree appeals to students who are interested in working in the fields of law, law enforcement, probation and parole, corrections, or other social service agencies. This degree also prepares students for law school or graduate school in either criminal justice or a related field.
Students who satisfy all eligibility requirements can graduate by completing between 54 and 60 units within 13 months (ten eight-week modules with breaks). Admitted students will complete two courses in each of the ten eight-week modules.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be awarded the same degree as on-campus students — the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The diploma and transcript will not distinguish that the program was completed online.
SDSU’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Online Degree Completion Program is designed to encourage thoughtful exploration of the ways that criminal justice systems provide “justice,” or fail to do so. The program also focuses on criminal justice from a social justice perspective, allowing for the examination of policy issues as diverse as genocide, institutionalized racism, organized crime, and environmental destruction, in addition to traditional criminal justice issues. This degree appeals to students who are interested in working in the fields of law, law enforcement, probation and parole, corrections, or other social service agencies. This degree also prepares students for law school or graduate school in either criminal justice or a related field.
Students who satisfy all eligibility requirements can graduate by completing between 54 and 60 units within 13 months (ten eight-week modules with breaks). Admitted students will complete two courses in each of the ten eight-week modules.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be awarded the same degree as on-campus students — the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The diploma and transcript will not distinguish that the program was completed online.
This degree also includes an optional minor in Public Administration. All courses are offered via distance education (online classes). Please note: Some exams may require the student to make arrangements for a proctor to administer the exam remotely.
Total Estimated CostTextbooks not included
Completion Time
Course Format“This program is perfect for students who are trying to balance a lot of competing interests. Students are getting an identical curriculum to students on campus at SDSU. They'll also get a big dose of Public Administration classes and leave with a minor in Public Administration.”
- Sherry Ryan, SDSU School of Public Affairs Director and SDSU Global Campus Program Sponsor
Admission Requirements
To be fully qualified for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, you must have at least 60 transferable semester units by the term prior to transfer. This includes 12 lower division preparation course units for the Criminal Justice major and at least 30 units of General Education. You must also have a 2.8+ GPA.
Students will also have the opportunity to apply for a Minor in Public Administration at the same time.
This program is designed for students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. If you already have a bachelor's degree, we will not be able accept your application for this program.
For more detailed admission requirements and other application information, please consult our Transfer Admissions Information.
Each Module may consist of 2-4 Courses. Each Course is 3 Units.
* - Denotes courses with a prerequisite of CJ 300
^ - Denotes courses with a prerequisite of PA 301
^^ - Denotes courses with a prerequisites of PA 301 and PA 460
| Module | Courses | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CJ 300: Crime, Law, & Justice PA 301: Concepts and Issues in Public Administration PA 340: Administrative Behavior |
8/30/20 – 10/24/20 (Fall 2020) |
| 2 | CJ 301: Law in Society* CJ 303: Criminal Justice and Social Control* PA 460: Administration and Policy Development |
10/25/20 – 12/19/20 (Fall 2020) |
| 3 | AFRAS 380: Blacks in the American Justice System CJ 302: Crime and Behavior* PA 350: Contemporary Urban Issues |
1/17/21 – 3/13/21 (Spring 2021) |
| 4 | AMIND 440: American Indian History CJ 321 Juvenile Justice* PA 450: Fiscal and Budgetary Policy^ RWS 305w: Based on Writing Placement Assessment - Completion of this course will fulfill the Writing Placement Assessment (WPA) requirement until the WPA is offered. |
3/14/21 – 5/8/21 (Spring 2021) |
| 5 | CJ 540: Research Methods and Evaluation* CJ 310: Law Enforcement* CJ 330: Corrections* |
5/23/21 – 7/3/21 (Summer 2021) |
| 6 | PA 310: Management of Urban Governments PA 330: Public Personnel Administration ANTH 360* |
7/4/21 – 8/14/21 (Summer 2021) |
| 7 | CJ 497: Investigation and Reporting, Senior Standing or Consent of Instructor PA 501: Nonprofit Organizations and Government^^ |
8/15/21 – 10/9/21 (Fall 2021) |
Dates and courses subject to change.
Admission requirements for this program? *
- 60 or more semester units (90 or more quarter units) completed
- 2.8+ GPA
- Completion of lower division GE with a grade of C- or higher
- Completion of the American Institutions requirement
- Completion of lower division preparation for the major requirements
- POL S 102 - Introduction to American/Californian Government and Politics
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 102 - Introduction to Social Problems
- SOC 201 - Elementary Social Statistics (or comparable three-unit course in elementary statistics, such as STAT 119, STAT 250, or PSY 280)
- For more information, please the SDSU General Catalog
*The full transfer admissions requirements can be found here: https://ces.sdsu.edu/admissions-information
Labor Analysis
Criminal Justice and Corrections Industry — Nationwide
Job Postings
Last 12 months
128,661
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
+7%
Salary Range
Average
$55,000-$75,000
For more information, please email criminaljustice.ces@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-2707.