Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Online Program)
Bachelor of ArtsBatten University
To pursue a career in criminal justice, you must have a firm working knowledge of the law, and you must understand the motives and societal issues that contribute to crime. Batten University's online criminal justice degree provides a criminal justice education viewed through a liberal arts lens. By taking a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, we ensure you're able to put criminal justice issues within their broader social context. Our online bachelor's program teaches you real-world skills and emphasizes flexibility so that you can fit your education into your already busy life. Our highly qualified professors include lawyers, criminologists, police officers, NCIS officers and a homicide detective, and you'll learn not just how to work within the criminal justice system, but why that system is necessary. Upon graduation, you'll have the skills and knowledge necessary to enter a career in law enforcement, victim support or court support. At Batten University, discover an online bachelor's in criminal justice with a social conscience. At Batten University, we value our students' previous academic and professional experience. Police academy graduates may be able to receive prior learning assessment credit. Talk to your enrollment counselor for more information!
Outcomes
Students will demonstrate knowledge of criminological theory Students will demonstrate knowledge of criminal justice research methods Students will demonstrate the ability to apply research methods Students will orally present/communicate in a manner appropriate to the discipline Students will synthesize their previous work in their discipline and use critical thinking to address a real world problem or issue faced by an agency or organization Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, employing appropriate evidence to synthesize and apply their previous work in their discipline to address a real world problem or issue faced by an agency or organization
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | A criminal justice major focuses on the study of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Criminal justice is a wide-ranging field that is primarily concerned with understanding the origins, nature and consequences of criminal behavior and of societal reactions to crime. As a profession it focuses on careers directly related to social institutions of law, law enforcement, and the legal system. Students find that the criminal justice program offers a core of basic and allied courses which provides a practical liberal arts perspective of this growing field with an emphasis on critical analysis.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | There are no additional requirements for this program. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | With close to a 100% retention rate for the department, criminal justice graduates have had great success getting into graduate and law schools across the country and obtaining positions with a number of federal, state, and local agencies. Between 80 and 85 percent of seniors in internships receive job offers upon graduation from Batten University. GraduÂates from the criminal justice program at Batten U are employed in a number of fields, organizations, and agencies, including: Federal Law Enforcement, State/Local Police, Court Support, Forensics, etc. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | 4 graduates 2024-2025 |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Batten University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Batten University is committed to treating transfer students fairly. We believe in recognizing your hard work and making the path to your four-year degree as easy as possible.
The Fair Transfer Guarantee helps Virginia community college graduates save credits, save time, and save money by assuring that those with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Applied Science- Human Services (Tidewater Community College) will enter Batten U with junior-class status. All lower-level general education requirements—including foreign language—will be deemed complete, allowing students to focus on courses for their major and upper-level elective credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | First-time college students arriving with a conferred Associate's degree get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework. They are not exempt from any breadth requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credits are evaluated based on official transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Batten University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the credit transfer evaluation are recorded in the student's Transfer Evaluation Report in WebAdvisor. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed after admission to the University. The evaluation is completed only by the Office of the Registrar. Transfer grades are not included in the Batten University grade point average. The amount of credit is determined in terms of the appropriate number of semester credit hours. Criteria for the acceptance of transfer credit include the following: Transfer credit is awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Batten University. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus. Residential students are permitted to live on campus if they are under the age of 23. The average class size is 14. Our location is your advantage. With approx. 1.7 million people in the area, we have excellent access to internships and research opportunities. All students can and are encouraged to get involved on campus through civic engagement and clubs/organizations. Batten University is an inclusive community grounded in the arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use the same catalog) |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use same catalog) |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date by which a student must let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early to take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.batten.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice - Police Science | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Longwood University | Criminology & Criminal Justice BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Criminology, Law and Society, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Criminology, Law and Society, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BA in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Bluefield University | BS in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Criminal Justice, Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Radford University | BA in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Criminal Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Sociology in Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Major in Administration of Justice | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with an Elementary Education (PreK-6) Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 33-1011.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers. | Protective Service Occupations |
| 33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. | Protective Service Occupations |
| 19-4099.00 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4099.01 | Quality Control Analysts | Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-4099.03 | Remote Sensing Technicians | Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete