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Degree Title

Bachelor of Science

Spring 2025 Start Date:

January 6, 2025

Summer A 2025 Start Date:

May 5, 2025

Overview

The growing emphasis on homeland security has created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals. To help meet the demand for degreed professionals, FIU Online has a fully online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. FIU’s Department of Criminal Justice is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of criminal justice education.

Whether you are interested in a career in law enforcement, private security or corrections, your B.S. in Criminal Justice will provide you with a solid foundation in core issues related to crime and justice. There are numerous career paths to use your newfound knowledge and skills in a variety of local, state and federal agencies, all with excellent job outlooks.

Take the next step. 

FIU provides comprehensive student support to ensure that your online learning experience is the best it can be. You’ll learn from world-renowned faculty and engage with other students through collaborative and interactive technology. You’ll even have your own success coach to provide guidance every step of the way.

  • Why Apply?

    FIU’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice online program prepares students to learn about the procedures of the criminal justice system. Particularly, the Criminal Justice online program reviews criminological theory, the criminal justice system, the constitution, terrorism and public policy. The degree prepares students to work for agencies like the local police departments, CIA, FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Marshals. The Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree is also a perfect start for those interested in advanced studies in law and legal studies and those interested in attending law school. This program provides theoretical and practical knowledge in the following areas:

    • Procedures in the criminal justice system

    • Criminological theory

    • The constitution

    • Terrorism

    • Public policy


    Industry Statistics

    The field of criminal justice can open up many career paths that include forensic science, private investigations, corrections management, law enforcement and the legal profession. Continual demand for public safety and heightened security concerns will lead to employment opportunities for police officers and detectives (median annual salary of $65,170) probation officers ($54,290), private detectives ($50,510) and paralegals ($51,740). ( All salaries are from May, 2019; Occupational Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics).

  • Courses

    A total of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Students must complete all University Core Curriculum, University, and College of Arts, Sciences & Education requirements.  For specific course requirements, visit the Courses tab on this program page.  Students must earn a "C" or better in all Gordon Rule University Core Curriculum courses, College of Arts, Sciences & Education Foreign Language requirement courses and major prerequisites and requirement courses. Students may earn a D- in the rest of their coursework (non-Gordon Rule UCC and electives).

    In addition to the above requirements, students pursuing a B.S. in Criminal Justice must complete the following:


    Core Courses (18 total credits)


    Students must obtain a grade of C or better in these courses.

    Introduction to Criminal Justice CCJ 2020

    An examination of the history, organization, and function of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections.

    Criminological Theory CCJ 4014

    Advanced study and critical appraisal of various theories of crime causation, including an examination and sociological perspective on the etiology of crime.

    Research Methods and Analyses in Criminal Justice CCJ 4700

    A study of basic methods used in criminal justice research. Emphasis on research designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and evaluation research. Measurement, sampling, questionnaire construction, and survey research are also covered.

    Professional Development in Criminal Justice CJE 3001

    An overview and exploration of development of the criminal justice profession.

    Criminal Justice and the Constitution CJL 4064

    A case law study of constitutional issues related to the administration of criminal justice.

    Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice CCJ 4497

    (Pre-requisites: CCJ 2020, CCJ 4014, CCJ 4700, CJL 4064)

    This senior capstone course provides in-depth analysis of crime and the efforts to control crime through public policy.


    Criminal Justice Upper Division Electives (18 credits total)

    Criminal Justice majors are also required to take 6 additional Criminal Justice courses (a total of 18 credit hours).  These courses must be in the 3000/4000 levels. A list of approved electives can be found on each student’s Panther Degree Audit. Please consult your assigned academic advisor for more information regarding these electives.

    General Electives

    The number of general electives may vary and it may be used to complete a minor, second major, or certificate. Please see advisor for total number of credits that may be used for general electives.

  • Requirements

    To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.



    FIU Admission Requirements

    Applications are accepted for Spring, Fall and Summer terms.


    Steps to Apply

    First Year Students

    Please submit the following:

    • Online application
    • $30 application fee.
    • Official SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores.
    • Official high school transcripts.

    Transfer Students

    Please submit the following:

    • Online application
    • $30 application fee.
    • Official college transcripts.
    • If you have less than 60 transferable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts and SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores in addition to any transcripts from postsecondary schools to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

     

    Returning Students

    Returning students must meet the current university and degree-specific requirements to be admitted. FIU has policies for students who left FIU, please click here for more details.

       Please submit the following:

    • Online application
    • $30 application fee
    • Updated official transcripts

    International Students

    In addition to the above requirements, international applicants should submit:

    • Official English Language Proficiency exam scores (TOEFL or IELTS).
    • Official translations of any transcripts, if not in English.
    • If you have less than 60 transferrable college credits, you must also submit official high school transcripts with translation.

    Program Admission Requirements

    • Candidates must first be accepted into the university. Students admitted to Florida International University are admitted directly to their chosen major.

    • Program Completion Requirements

    A total of 120 credits are required to complete the fully online undergraduate degree.  Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) students must show mastery at, or complete a second semester sequence (at the college level) foreign language course or one advanced foreign language course with a minimum grade of C. Credits earned through AP, IB, CLEP, and other testing methods for earning accelerated credit satisfy this requirement. Discuss options for satisfying this requirement with your Academic Advisor.


    Admission Documents

    To complete the online undergraduate programs admissions form, select your program from the   application form. You may complete the online application and submit it, even before taking any entrance exams.   All supporting admission documents may be sent to:

    
Florida International University
    
Office of Undergraduate Admissions

    P.O. Box 659003

    Miami, FL 33265-9003

    USA



    FIU also accepts transcripts electronically via:

    • Faster (All FL public institutions)

    • Naviance (Typically used by private high schools)

    • SMART/Joint Service Transcript – Military records

    *Meeting the university minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

  • Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree

    To be considered for admission to the combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program, students must have completed at least 75-90 credits in the bachelor’s degree program and meet the admissions criteria for the graduate degree program. Students need only apply once to the combined degree program, but the application must be submitted to Graduate Admissions before the student starts the last 30 credits of the bachelor’s degree program.

    A student admitted to the combined degree program will be considered to have undergraduate status until the student applies for graduation from their bachelor’s degree program. Upon conferral of the bachelor’s degree, the student will be granted graduate status and be eligible for graduate assistantships. Only 5000-level or higher courses, and no more than 12 credits may be applied toward both degrees.

  • Tuition

    We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.

  • Top Faculty

    Rosa Chang
    Dr. Chang’s current research interests include criminalization of immigrants, immigration policies affecting the criminal justice system and immigrants and crime. Additionally, she is presently working on examining methods and strategies to teach the present-day digital students.

    Ryan Meldrum
    Dr. Meldrum’s research interests involve testing and refining theories of juvenile delinquency, with particular attention given to peer associations and self-control during adolescence. His research has appeared in such journals as Criminology, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Journal of Criminal Justice and Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice. His most recent research focuses upon the extent to which adolescents provide truthful responses in survey research focusing on delinquency and substance use.

fiuonline.fiu.edu

120 Credits Required

fiuonline.fiu.edu

235.57 Per Credit Hour (In-State) + Fees

fiuonline.fiu.edu

648.87 Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State) + Fees

* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.

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