University of Kentucky®
Bachelors Degree (BACJ / BSCJ) in
Criminal Justice
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 120
CREDENTIALS BACJ / BSCJ Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$624.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Bachelors Degrees
- Criminal Justice (BACJ / BSCJ)
About this Program
Reach your career goals by earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice 100% online from the University of Kentucky. Students complete all coursework asynchronously, providing maximum schedule flexibility. Select from the options of earning a BA or BS in Criminal Justice to best align with your career goals.
Our virtual classrooms foster diverse interactions among students from various backgrounds, enriching discussions and providing unique perspectives on criminal justice issues. The online format also allows students to maintain employment or gain practical experience in the field while pursuing their degree, potentially accelerating career advancement and creating a seamless integration between academic studies and real-world applications.
Designed For
This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the legal system, law enforcement, corrections, and criminology. It is suitable for individuals aspiring to careers as police officers, detectives, probation officers, or pursuing further studies in law or forensic psychology.
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Fill out this form to be sent information on the Bachelors (BACJ / BSCJ) in Criminal Justice program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
Our online program emphasizes transdisciplinary processes and problem solving to ensure that graduates develop job-ready, employability skills to address and implement best practices in criminal justice settings.
By completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Recognize the impact of policies and scientific inquiry on implementation of services and associated outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of systematic barriers in justice involved systems through identifying and addressing systemic injustices in the criminal justice system
- Articulate the importance of culturally relevant practice in criminal justice settings
- Critically examine knowledge to synthesize, convey, and articulate in a succinct, meaningful manner
Course Examples
- CJ 312 The American Criminal Justice System
- CJ 314 Experiential Learning in Criminal Justice
- CJ316 Culturally Relevant Practice in Criminal Justice Settings
- CJ 323 Criminal Justice Foundations
- CJ 328 Forensic Investigations
- CJ 419 Ethics in Criminal Justice
- CJ 421 Applied Data Analysis for Criminal Justice Practice
- CJ 429 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CJ 431 Application of Criminal Justice Theory
- Plus, an additional 12 credit hours of specifically targeted criminal justice related electives at the 300 level or above
- SPECIAL NOTE: Students seeking the BS must take 15 credit hours in a science discipline of their choosing. Students seeking the BA are not required to take the additional science related credit hours.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
There is no additional admission criteria for this program.
Application Requirements
- Essay
- Official high school transcripts or GED diploma
- Application fee
Transfer Students
Transferring to the University of Kentucky is made possible with any number of college credit hours, but the application requirements will differ. View transfer application criteria.
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025 Transfer Deadline
Spring 2025 Transfer Deadline
Summer 2025 Transfer Deadline
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Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program, curriculum and faculty
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
About
What's the difference between the BACJ and BSCJ degrees?
Students have the option to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice.
BACJ: Does not require additional science credits. To complete a BA in Criminal Justice, students must complete the following:
- UK Core Requirements
- Criminal Justice Major Coursework: 27 credit hours of core criminal justice courses Guided Electives: 12 credit hours of criminal justice specific guided electives
Minimum of 120 credit hours to complete a bachelor’s degree
BSCJ: Includes an additional 15 hours of science-oriented curriculum designed to prepare students for settings that may be science oriented such as forensic investigations. To attain a BS in Criminal Justice, students must complete the following:
- UK Core Requirements
- 15 credit hours of biological, physical, computer, or mathematical science course
- Criminal Justice Major Coursework: 27 credit hours of core criminal justice courses Guided Electives: 12 credit hours of criminal justice specific guided electives
Minimum of 120 credit hours to complete a bachelor’s degree
Guidance: The selection process is guided by the student's interests and professional goals. For example, students interested in positions such as victim advocate, probation and parole, or juvenile justice do not require any additional science background, so BACJ is a good fit. Whereas students interested in positions such as crime scene and accident reconstruction, cyber security, toxicology, and similar fields will need a science foundation and should pursue BSCJ.
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
How do I qualify for this completer program?
To qualify for this degree-completion program, students must have earned previous college credit and be applying to UK as a transfer student. There is no threshold on the amount of previous credit earned. Any amount of transfer credits will fulfill this need.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
Are scholarships or financial aid available for online students?
Yes! Online students enrolled in a degree-bearing program are eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships. Learn more at https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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