Is a Justice Studies degree online right for you?
Today’s media excites us with portrayals of crime scene investigations, cybercrime, homeland security and high-profile detectives solving crimes. If a career in criminology, law enforcement, security systems, or the protection of people and property interests you, you may want to investigate the Justice Studies program at SNHU.
The Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree online at SNHU is professional online program for busy working adults that allows students to continue studying while satisfying their employment and family responsibilities.
Why a Justice Studies degree online at SNHU?
As a private, non-profit accredited university, SNHU focuses on ensuring you learn the necessary skills you need to succeed. Whether you enroll in the Justice Studies degree online program or the Justice Studies courses at any of our five regional campuses, you will benefit from an SNHU education:
- First-rate Justice Studies faculty that includes working professionals in the field of justice studies.
- Internship opportunities combine traditional research with local agency experience.
- The ability to earn an Associates (AS) in Justice Studies while studying for your bachelor’s degree, providing a chance to quickly update your resume.
- Quality education at one of the most affordable tuition rates available
- Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
- Ability to obtain optional concentrations or certificates in Policing & Law, Crime & Criminology, Law & Legal Process, and Terrorism & Homeland Security.
- Online students have 24/7/365 access to class- attend when it is most convenient for you.
What is the difference between Criminal Justice and Justice Studies?
Unlike traditional criminal justice programs, our interdisciplinary approach goes beyond courses in criminology and law enforcement. Our BS in Justice Studies degree online provides an overview of the justice system, criminal law, corrections systems, legal and social science research, and more. You’ll benefit from basic concepts and survey courses, and concentrations and certificates within the program that allow you to more deeply explore specific interests. This diverse approach to your studies translates into expanded employment opportunities for graduates.
Employment Opportunities for Justice Studies
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011, "Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow about 5 percent between 2010 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations” and the “Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 7 percent over the 2010–20 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations."
Graduates of the Justice Studies program are prepared for a number of careers in law, business security, policing and law enforcement, federal service agencies, terrorism prevention, the courts, corrections, dispute resolution, victim advocacy, the military and more.
Visit our Career Development Center online to learn more about career opportunities in Justice Studies.
Transfer of Credit
If you are a student who wants transfer to SNHU or simply want to finish what you’ve started, we try to make transferring as easy as possible. We will accept up to 90 transferred academic credits and we automatically complete an official credit evaluation as part of the application review process.
Request an unofficial preliminary transfer credit evaluation to see how many of your credits will transfer
BS in Justice Studies Curriculum
Through a carefully planned program of study, students will discover the inner workings and the broad scope of the American justice system. Unlike programs that focus on only one aspect of the justice model, such as law enforcement, the SNHU program provides a sweeping overview of the justice system, criminal law, corrections systems, legal and social science research, and more.
Students will tailor the program according to their career goals, complementing traditional justice studies courses with classes in such aligned areas as business, psychology, sociology, information technology and political science.
To earn your Bachelor's degree, you will need to successfully complete the following courses (which are three-credit hour courses unless otherwise noted):
Justice Studies (B.S.) Program Requirements
IT 210 Business Systems Analysis and Design
JUS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Or POL 306 The American Legal and Judicial Systems
JUS 103 Correctional Systems
JUS 375 Criminal Law
JUS 455 Legal Traditions
JUS 495 Legal and Justice Research Methods Or SCS 224 Research Methods Or PSY 224 Research Methods
Select three of the following:
ACC 421 Auditing and Forensic Accounting
COM 448 Media Ethics and Law
HOS 416 Legal Issues in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
INT 309 Legal Environment of International Business
JUS 400 Foreign Study in Criminal Justice
JUS 480 Independent Study in Law and Justice
JUS 498 Criminal Justice Internship
PHL 212 Introduction to Ethics
PHL 214 Formal Logic
SPT 307 Sport Law
Select three courses from each of the following categories:
Police and Law Enforcement
JUS 102 American Policing
JUS 104 Introduction to Security
JUS 201 Criminal Investigation
JUS 202 Industrial and Retail Security
JUS 345 Probation and Parole
JUS 351 Civil Liability of Criminal Justice Personnel
JUS 394 Problems in Policing
JUS 465 Police Organization and Management
JUS 466 Homeland Security
Crime and Criminology
JUS 211 Organized Crime
JUS 215 The Victim and the Justice System
JUS 305 International Criminal Justice
JUS 309 White Collar Crime
JUS 429 Terrorism
JUS 468 Crimes Against Children
PSY 205 Forensic Psychology
PSY 215 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
PSY 310 Criminal Psychology
SOC 213 Sociology of Social Problems
SOC 324 Sociology of Crime and Violence
SOC 326 Sociology of Deviance
Law and Legal Process
BUS 206 Business Law I
BUS 307 Business Law II
JUS 325 Law, Justice, and Family
JUS 331 Juvenile Justice System
JUS 335 Private Security Law
JUS 361 Judicial Administration
JUS 376 Criminal Procedure
JUS 395 The Death Penalty
JUS 485 Forensic Law
JUS 496 Administrative Law
JUS 497 Law and Evidence
POL 210 American Politics
POL 305 State and Local Government
POL 316 Civil Liberties, Civil Rights and Judicial Process
SNHU's Online degree programs meet the needs of today's students while at the same time ensuring educational quality and real-world applicability. Contact us to learn more about the SNHU difference.