Become a Leader in the
Criminal Justice Field
Criminal Justice
Gain a better understanding of the complex systems of law enforcement and corrections, and increase your career potential with a bachelor’s degree.
We offer two pathways to a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice:
- The Bachelor of Arts or Science is for students who have at least two years of criminal justice related experience or an associate degree.
- The Bachelor of Applied Science is for students who have completed an associates degree in criminal justice, forensic science or security and asset protection.
Bachelor of Art or Science
Become a leader in the criminal justice field. Gain a better understanding of the complex systems of law enforcement and corrections, and increase your career potential with a bachelor’s degree. This program is for students who have at least two years of criminal justice related work experience or an associate degree.
Admission Requirements
The online criminal justice major is for adult nontraditional learners who need the flexibility of an online program but want the quality and reputation of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh!
This program is delivered in an accelerated format, and students will be required to rely on previous experience and education.
Applicants must hold a two-year associate degree from an accredited university. This associate degree must meet all or some of the general elective requirements necessary to complete the Bachelor of Applied Studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Ideally, an applicant will have completed an associate’s degree from a two-year University of Wisconsin campus.
Get a free transfer credit evaluation!
Students with an approved applied associate degree transfer in a 45 credit block plus any applicable general education courses. Most students transfer between 60 and 90 credits.
For questions regarding program requirements, transfer credits, enrollment and registration, contact an advisor at (920) 424-0234 or toll-free (800) 633-1442. For questions regarding the criminal justice program or department, please contact Dr. Victoria Beck, director of the online criminal justice program, at beckv@uwosh.edu.
Visit our Admissions page for more information on how to apply to the University.
Coursework
Coursework focuses on writing & critical thinking skills, a theoretical understanding of crime, data analysis, policy formulation & analysis, and legal, ethical, administrative & behavioral aspects of criminal justice.
Students begin the program with general education requirements. Students with prior education experience may be exempt from these requirements. If you have previous college credits, including a full associate or bachelor’s degree, contact an advisor for personalized assessment.
The online program provides the same courses and learning experiences as the on-campus degree.
Courses
The Criminal Justice program has three degree options. Students can choose a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Applied Studies. Students in the Bachelor of Science program take science and math courses in addition to the required University Studies degree requirements. Students in the Bachelor of Arts program take foreign language courses in addition to the required University Studies degree requirements. The Bachelor of Applied Studies program is designed for students who hold an Associate of Applied Studies degree.
Download the Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice Planner
Download the Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice Planner
Download the Bachelor of Applied Studies Criminal Justice Planner
Students in either Criminal Justice program must complete University Studies Program (general education) and core course requirements. Students with transfer credits may have some of the requirements waived due to transfer credit.
Previous credits and prior work experience may count for some requirements. Contact the program advisor for a credit transfer estimate!
Bachelor of Science University Studies Program Requirements
- Quest I (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Quest II (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Quest III (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Transition Year Experience (for students who transfer 16–59 credits)
- Quest Writing (3 credits)
- Quest Speaking (3 credits)
- Math (3 credits)
- Laboratory Science (8 credits)
- Culture Electives (9 credits)
- Society Electives (9 credits)
- Advanced Writing (3 credits)
Criminal Justice Major Course Sequence
Full-time and part-time students have the same course options. Two or three courses are offered during each session. For a detailed schedule description, contact the program director, Dr. Victoria Beck, at beckv@uwosh.edu.
Course Block 1 • fall first 7-week session
- CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice Process
- CJ 270 Introduction to Criminal Law
Course Block 2 • fall second 7-week session
- CJ 212 Management of CJ Organizations or PA 221 Introduction to Public Administration
- CJ 218 Adjudication Process in Criminal Justice
- CJ 244 Correctional Process
Course Block 3 • winter interim
- CJ 288 Police in Modern Society
- CJ Elective
Course Block 4 • spring 14-week session
- CJ 281 Elementary Statistics in Criminal Justice Research
- CJ 343 Quantitative Research Design
Course Block 4 • spring first 7-week session
- CJ Elective
Course Block 5 • spring second 7-week session
- CJ 351 Theories of Crime
Course Block 6 • spring interim
- CJ Elective
- CJ Elective
Course Block 7 • summer first 4-week session
- CJ Elective
- CJ 358 Major Issues in Criminal Justice
Career and Post-graduate Opportunities
Students in the program often pursue careers in the criminal justice field, while others use it to earn promotions within the field they currently work.
The program also prepares students for graduate programs or law school. The online Criminal Justice program offers an academically oriented criminal justice major that is designed to prepare students for employment in a variety of fields associated with the criminal justice profession and to prepare students for graduate school.
Careers and Further Education
Prepare for a career or continue your education!
While each student’s goals are different and complex, the most common post-graduation activity for graduates from the online Criminal Justice degree program is a career in the criminal justice field or to continue their education in post-graduate work.
Career Opportunities
Law Enforcement: Graduates from the UW Oshkosh criminal justice program are now working in local police or sheriff’s departments, state agencies and federal agencies. Many students also find careers in private security. The State of Wisconsin requires certification before one can serve as a law enforcement officer. Our graduates receive this training from various Wisconsin Technical Colleges.
Institutional and Community Corrections: This is a rapidly growing area of employment. Students who choose corrections-related employment work in juvenile and adult institutions, juvenile and adult probation and parole, juvenile and adult residential treatment for offenders, and in programs for mentally ill offenders and substance abuse. Several victim/witness programs in Wisconsin employ our graduates, many of them in management positions. Other graduates work in forensic mental health, family counseling, therapeutic recreation, and youth mentoring programs.
Post-Graduate Educational Opportunities
Academia and Research: A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice can be your first step toward a professional career in academia and research in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, and/or other related disciplines. Our teaching and research internships also equip our students with the knowledge and ability to compete for graduate and research assistantships at your school of choice. Common graduate degrees that our students go on to pursue include:
- Criminal Justice
- Public Administration/Affairs
- Public Safety Administration
Law School: Recent graduates with a major in Criminal Justice have been admitted to such institutions as the University of Wisconsin Law School, Marquette University College of Law, Hamline University Law School, Drake University School of Law and the Ohio State University College of Law.
Online Program Delivery
The criminal justice major is offered completely online. Online delivery at UW Oshkosh combines the best of both worlds–students get the flexibility they need with the same academic quality of our on-campus programs.
Courses are delivered through Desire 2 Learn (D2L). Students interact with their professors and classmates through online discussion, class lectures, and a drop box for assignments. In online courses there is no scheduled meeting time, but there are deadlines and due dates for projects, assignments and discussions.
Students get a full orientation and introduction to online learning in D2L before class begins, and UW Oshkosh provides academic and technology resources for students, faculty and staff.
Bachelor of Applied Studies
Become a leader in the criminal justice field, and earn your Bachelor of Applied Studies in Criminal Justice. Gain a better understanding of the complex systems of law enforcement and corrections, and increase your career potential with a bachelor’s degree. This program is for students who have completed an associate degree.
Admission Requirements
The online criminal justice major is for adult nontraditional learners who need the flexibility of an online program but want the quality and reputation of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh!
This program is delivered in an accelerated format, and students will be required to rely on previous experience and education.
Applicants must hold a two-year associate degree from an accredited university. This associate degree must meet all or some of the general elective requirements necessary to complete the Bachelor of Applied Studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Ideally, an applicant will have completed an associate’s degree from a two-year University of Wisconsin campus.
Get a free transfer credit evaluation!
Students with an approved applied associate degree transfer in a 45 credit block plus any applicable general education courses. Most students transfer between 60 and 90 credits.
For questions regarding program requirements, transfer credits, enrollment and registration, contact an advisor at (920) 424-0234 or toll-free (800) 633-1442. For questions regarding the criminal justice program or department, please contact Dr. Victoria Beck, director of the online criminal justice program, at beckv@uwosh.edu.
Visit our Admissions page for more information on how to apply to the University.
Coursework
Coursework focuses on writing & critical thinking skills, a theoretical understanding of crime, data analysis, policy formulation & analysis, and legal, ethical, administrative & behavioral aspects of criminal justice.
The BAS Criminal Justice program is for students who have an associate’s degree in criminal justice, forensic science or security and asset protection. For full-time students with 60 or more transferable credits, the BAS Criminal Justice degree can be completed in as little as two years.
Courses
The Criminal Justice program has three degree options. Students can choose a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Applied Studies. Students in the Bachelor of Science program take science and math courses in addition to the required University Studies degree requirements. Students in the Bachelor of Arts program take foreign language courses in addition to the required University Studies degree requirements. The Bachelor of Applied Studies program is designed for students who hold an Associate of Applied Studies degree.
Download the Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice Planner
Download the Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice Planner
Download the Bachelor of Applied Studies Criminal Justice Planner
Students in either Criminal Justice program must complete University Studies Program (general education) and core course requirements. Students with transfer credits may have some of the requirements waived due to transfer credit.
Previous credits and prior work experience may count for some requirements. Contact the program advisor for a credit transfer estimate!
Bachelor of Science University Studies Program Requirements
- Quest I (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Quest II (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Quest III (for students who transfer 0-15 credits)
- Transition Year Experience (for students who transfer 16–59 credits)
- Quest Writing (3 credits)
- Quest Speaking (3 credits)
- Math (3 credits)
- Laboratory Science (8 credits)
- Culture Electives (9 credits)
- Society Electives (9 credits)
- Advanced Writing (3 credits)
Criminal Justice Major Course Sequence
Full-time and part-time students have the same course options. Two or three courses are offered during each session. For a detailed schedule description, contact the program director, Dr. Victoria Beck, at beckv@uwosh.edu.
Course Block 1 • fall first 7-week session
- CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice Process
- CJ 270 Introduction to Criminal Law
Course Block 2 • fall second 7-week session
- CJ 212 Management of CJ Organizations or PA 221 Introduction to Public Administration
- CJ 218 Adjudication Process in Criminal Justice
- CJ 244 Correctional Process
Course Block 3 • winter interim
- CJ 288 Police in Modern Society
- CJ Elective
Course Block 4 • spring 14-week session
- CJ 281 Elementary Statistics in Criminal Justice Research
- CJ 343 Quantitative Research Design
Course Block 4 • spring first 7-week session
- CJ Elective
Course Block 5 • spring second 7-week session
- CJ 351 Theories of Crime
Course Block 6 • spring interim
- CJ Elective
- CJ Elective
Course Block 7 • summer first 4-week session
- CJ Elective
- CJ 358 Major Issues in Criminal Justice
Online Degree Programs
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