Make a difference in your community

Not every hero wears a cape. In fact, many of them simply hang a diploma on the wall, having graduated this program. It’s a degree that could take your career in a number of different directions. Every one of them aims to help you make sure the world becomes a safer place to live and work. So if you’re ready to be ever vigilant and true – and to unleash a positive force upon your community and the world – perhaps a career in criminal justice and public policy is just the right fit. (And no one will stop you from wearing a cape if that’s what you really want to do.)

Credits 120
Cost Per Credit $475
Scholarships

$1000s in new scholarships available for this program.

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Program Overview

If you are ready to have a positive impact in your community and the world—perhaps a degree in public service is the right fit. You emerge with analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and go on to practice in organizations fostering service and commitment to serve local, national and international organizations.

Your choice of concentrations:

Whichever concentration you choose, you will have the option to combine an internship or project in exploration of career opportunities in these fields. The internship will provide you an opportunity to exercise, in a practical manner, the skills, knowledge and responsibilities of a practitioner.

REQUIRED COURSES
  • Foundations of Leadership
  • Crisis and Emergency Management
  • Public Information and Community Relations
  • Stress Management
  • Public Finance and Budgeting
  • Career in Justice and Service - options of an internship or project in exploration of career opportunities in the field.
  • Ethics in Justice and Service
  • Leading in an Inclusive, Diverse and Equitable Organization
Criminal Justice CONCENTRATION COURSES

This concentration emphasizes skills needed to inform your interests and expertise needed to lead justice-related organizations, namely corrections, courts, justice administration, law enforcement, and probation/parole.

  • Criminal Justice Research Methods
  • Forensic Investigation
  • Management of Public Service Agencies
  • Criminal Justice Liability Law

If you’re going to be a defender of the law, it’s probably a good idea you study up on ethics. You’ll get plenty of that in this program, taking a look at ethical decision-making by criminal justice workers. You’ll also gain an introduction to a wide variety of other topics, like criminal psychology, as well as public policy and its effect on the American court and criminal justice system. You’ll have an opportunity to understand criminal investigation processes like interviewing, crime scene analysis, and collection of evidence. (Hint: CSI: Miami had it all wrong. Now, COPS, on the other hand …) You’ll study the law as it relates to arrests, searches, and seizures by law enforcement, probation and parole officers, and corrections officials. You’ll even study the rules of evidence and courtroom procedures.

What to Expect

There may not be a bat signal at the end of this program, but you’ll be thoroughly prepared for a career in court administration, security management, custodial and community-based corrections, intelligence operations, or investigations. Or maybe you’ll be more interested in municipal, state, or federal law enforcement. Or maybe state or federal probation and parole. Who knows? You could even use this degree as a good launching point for a bid at law school! Point is, you can expect this program to help you explore the incredibly exciting study of the courts, crime causation, criminal law, public policy, and the justice system.

Career Outlook

  • Public Service Manager
  • Attorney
  • Law Enforcement
  • Corrections
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Paralegal
  • Public Safety

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Locations
  • Online
  • Virtual

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