Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Loretto, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Key Summary
Earn a Respected Criminal Justice Degree from Saint Francis University
Our Criminal Justice Program prepares students for careers in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, juvenile and adult probation, community and residential reentry, loss prevention, cyber-security, forensics, and security. Students utilize evidence-based practices, technology, experiential learning, and classroom courses designed to provide them with a legal, correctional, ethical education.
The SFU Learning Experience
Students in our criminal justice programs will learn what it means to have the highest sense of Franciscan values related to respect and care for individual persons, as well a strong appreciation for social justice, equality, and diversity among citizens regardless of their economic standing in society.
- Choose on-campus courses or take the program 100% online
- Experience customizable course schedules and personal academic advising by Criminal Justice faculty.
- Gain experience through internships and earn credit at the same time.
Built-in criminal justice internships help you explore
A degree in Criminal Justice can open many doors and internships can help you find the right door. Whatever area of Criminal Justice interests you, we'll help you find a partner agency to gain experience and build your skills as a future Criminal Justice professional.
- Complete a for-credit internship as part of the major, earning credits and real-world experience at the same time.
- Multiple internships are encouraged, and up to 12 credits can be earned through internships.
- You will work with the faculty to find the most suitable opportunity.
- Students complete internships with Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, County Courts, Victim Advocacy Agencies, Probation and Parole Offices, and the State and Federal Bureaus of Prisons.
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program learn a variety of investigative skills and techniques and engage in courses across all aspects of the criminal justice discipline. Students also take social science courses in psychology, sociology, forensics, and criminology.
- Gain a more holistic understanding of the justice system.
- Prepare for promotions and changes in rank.
- Understand the origins of criminal behavior in society.
- Enhance problem-solving and decision-making.
- Demonstrate compassion and professionalism.
Year 1
Fall
- WRIT 102 Research Writing 3
- HIST 100-200 History Elective 100-200 level 3
- Language 102+ 3
- CSA 101 Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence 3 PSYC 101 Intro To Psychology 3
- CJ 206 Administration of CJ 3
- CORE 103 Fall Community Enrichment Series 0
Spring
- CORE 113 First-Year Seminar 3
- RLST 105 Franciscan Goals for Today 3
- MATH 101, 105+ Math Elective 101, 105 or higher 3
- Soc 101 Intro to Sociology 3
- CORE 104 Spring Community Enrichment Series 0
Year 2
Fall
- LIT 104, 201, 202, 204, 207, or 270 3
- CJ 209 Crime & Delinquency 3
- CJ 335 Law Enforcement 3
- STAT 101 Statistics 3
- Science Elective 3
Spring
- PHIL 205 Discovering Philosophy 3
- Fine Arts FNAR, ART, MUS, THTR (3 credits) 3
- PSYC 205 Abnormal Psychology 3
- CJ 325 American Courts System 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
Year 3
Fall
- CJ 330 Juvenile Justice and Treatment 3
- CJ 302 CJ Research Methods 3
- CJ 215 Dilemmas, Morality and Prof Resp in CJ 3
- Free Elective 3
- CJ XXX Elective 3
- EXAM 301 Writing Competency Examination (or ENGL 199 with a grade of C or higher) 0
Spring
- PHIL/RLST 300+ Philosophy/Religious Studies Elective 3
- CJ 340 Corrections 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
Year 4
Fall
- CJ 398 Internship Project 1
- CJ 399 Supervised Experience 2
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 2
Spring
- CJ 450 Advanced Research Seminor -Capstone 3
- SOC 402 Cultural Diversity - meets Gen Ed Div. Req 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
- Free Elective 3
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Understand, conceptualize, analyze, and theorize the nature of crime, order, security, and justice issues in U.S. society as well as the world.
- Acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and perspectives to prepare for a career in law, law enforcement and security, criminal justice administration, forensic investigation, and corrections.
- Develop the necessary higher-order competencies of successful practitioners in the Criminal Justice field by way of critical and analytical thinking, decision-making, communication capabilities, ethical behavior, compassion, and professional presence.
List of 20 Jobs You Can Get with a Criminal Justice Degree
- Probation Officer
- Forensic Science Technician
- Police Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Private Detective
- Fish and Game Warden
- Security Guard
- State Trooper
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Computer Forensics Specialist
- Fraud Investigator
- CIA Agent
- US Postal Inspector
- Immigration and Customs
- Enforcement Agent
- Blood Spatter Analyst
- Homicide Detective
- DEA Agent
- Secret Service Agent
- US Marshal