Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice)
Study how law enforcement, courts, and corrections actually work — and prepare for a career in the field or for law school. Available on campus or fully online.
Program Overview
Shawnee State’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is designed for students interested in making a difference in their communities through careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation, and beyond. Whether you’re starting fresh or advancing your current role in the field, this program blends theory, practical application, and policy analysis to prepare you for the next step.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of criminology, justice systems, and investigative practices, while exploring the sociological, psychological, and gender-related dimensions of crime and punishment. Delivered by experienced faculty with real-world expertise, the curriculum emphasizes ethical decision-making, research skills, and field-based learning.
Offered both on campus and fully online, the program gives you the freedom to tailor your education to your lifestyle. You’ll graduate ready to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, juvenile justice, or continue your education in law school or graduate programs.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice)
Degree
B.A.
Length
Four years (full-time); part-time and transfer paths available
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus or online
Transfer Credits Accepted
90
Start Date
6 entry points; next start date October 19
Why Study Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice) at Shawnee University
Pick the format that fits your life. The B.A. is offered on campus and fully online — same degree, same faculty.
Hands-on experience matters here. Students intern with local police departments, sheriff's offices, courts, correctional facilities, and legal organizations. Strong preparation for law school or graduate study.
Coursework in legal processes, criminology, ethics, and research builds the skills LSAT and grad programs expect.
You learn from faculty who've worked in the field. Instructors use their experience in policing, corrections, courts, and applied research to teach — not just textbooks.
Affordable tuition with the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeping costs predictable across four years.
The B.A. covers the criminal justice system end to end — policing, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, and the social science behind why crime happens and how we respond. You'll work through:
- Introduction to criminal justice and criminology
- Policing and criminal procedure
- Corrections and community supervision
- Juvenile justice
- Criminal justice ethics
- Victimology and the social/psychological dimensions of crime
- Research methods and statistics for criminal justice
- Internships in the field
You apply classroom learning through internships and field experiences with local law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. Those placements are also where most students start building the professional network that gets them their first job.
By graduation, you'll be able to:
- Explain legal processes, criminal behavior, and how the parts of the justice system fit together
- Apply ethical reasoning to decisions in criminal justice work
- Conduct evidence-based research in criminology and criminal justice
- Communicate clearly in writing and speech for justice-related fields
Take classes on campus in Portsmouth, Ohio, or complete the degree fully online through Shawnee State Online.
Graduates work as:
- Police officers and sheriff's deputies
- Probation and parole officers
- Correctional officers and case managers
- Court personnel and victim advocates
- Federal agents (after agency-specific hiring processes)
- Juvenile justice and youth services staff
- Homeland security and intelligence analysts
Many graduates also use the degree as a stepping stone to law school or graduate programs in criminology, public administration, or social work.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice) Frequently Asked Questions
Students have interned with local police, sheriff's offices, courts, correctional facilities, victim advocacy groups, and legal organizations.
Yes. The coursework builds the legal, ethical, and analytical foundation many of our students use to move into law school.
Most students finish in four years of full-time study. Transfer credits and part-time enrollment will shift that timeline.
Online students get the same advising, tutoring, library, and career services as on-campus students.
International students may apply to Shawnee State University's online B.A. in Criminal Justice degree.
The program is administered all online, and the international student will maintain a full course of study. Students admitted to Shawnee State University Online Campus will not be issued an I-20 to enter the United States. International students will complete the online program while residing in their home country. Please refer to www.studyinthestates.dhs.gov for details about enrollment in an online program from your home country.
Program handbook
Curriculum and advising resources are available through the Academic Catalog or by contacting the program coordinator directly. Online students can also reach Shawnee State Online at 855-815-0323.
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
