Online Criminal Justice Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Associate & Minor Available
Credits
120
Avg. Completion Time
3 - 3 ½ years for a full-time student with no transfer credits.
Delivery Method
Online
Study Criminal Justice at LBC
If you have a passion for bringing restorative justice into the world through your career and relationship with Christ, this just might be the major for you.
When you study criminal justice at Lancaster Bible College, you’ll gain the value of getting a Christian college education while learning the basic concepts of the legal system from three perspectives: police, courts and corrections. Designed to give students an overview of the criminal justice system by broadly studying the different aspects of the law enforcement, judicial and correctional systems, students will graduate prepared to enter the field of criminal justice. Plus, through this flexible program that’s created specifically for adults looking to start or complete their degrees, students can choose to study criminal justice completely online, hybrid or even do a combination of both!
This bachelor’s degree is part of LBC’s online undergraduate program, which is designed for busy people as they balance working full time, family responsibilities, serving in ministry and more. Each course is taught in an 8-week subterm that can be taken in either an online or hybrid format. Refer to the catalog link below for the engaging courses that are part of this bachelor’s degree program. Students can customize the sequence of their classes based on which courses are being offered and their prerequisites. This way, with the help of their LBC Student Success Coach, students can chart a class schedule that fits their stage in life. To be considered a “full-time student,” students must take four 3-credit courses in a semester (16-week term).
Course Length
8 weeks
When Can I Start?
As soon as you are ready! LBC has multiple enrollment points per year, meaning that you are only ever a few weeks away from the next course starting.
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Can I Transfer Credits?
Yes! If you have completed courses in other regionally accredited colleges or in the military, you may be able to transfer in credits. Read our transfer policy.
Get Credit for Life Experience
You may be able to start our degree path at LBC with some college credits! Life Experience Credit is college credit a student can earn based on prior learning. Read more.
Other Program Options
Associate of Arts (AACJ) – 60 credits
Minor – 15 credits
See bottom of this page for more information
Program Plan for Bachelor's
Criminal Justice (BA) (120 Credits)
Bible & Theology Courses 18 Credits
Arts & Sciences Courses 37 Credits
Criminal Justice 36 Credits
Electives 29 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and program details.
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this degree or the online undergraduate program? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning an undergraduate degree.
Program Distinctives - What makes this program at LBC unique?
- Fast & Flexible Schedule: The fast-paced schedule allows you to concentrate on one or two 8-week courses at a time.
- Life Experience Credit: Earn college credits from our evaluation of your life experiences.
- Accredited: Earn your degree from a top-ranked, accredited Bible college in PA.
- Experienced Faculty: Our program is taught by professors who have a passion to teach from their years of hands-on experience in the field.
- Integrate your Christian faith and calling with your professional skills and acumen.
Career Paths
The Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree prepares students for a wide range of technical and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree affords:
- Corrections Officer
- Criminal Investigator*
- Police Officer*
- Paralegal
- Private Security Officer
*Requires additional schooling or training
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Excel as a criminal justice professional to make a difference.
- Develop and integrate a biblical worldview into the system of criminal justice.
- Evaluate how the three major components of the criminal justice system – law enforcement, courts and corrections – ensure equal justice and humane treatment.
- Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
- Synthesize practical experience within the criminal justice program curriculum.
- Apply ethical principles of criminal justice to guide professional practice in pursuit of restorative justice.
How Do I Determine Which Courses to Take?
Each student’s path to degree completion is unique, depending on the courses you transfer into the program. The curriculum plan gives a broad picture of the required credits. If your transfer credits come from mostly one of those areas, you will need to take credits in the other areas. The remaining courses you need for graduation can best be determined after reviewing your transcripts. With flexible electives, Bible & Theology requirements and Arts & Sciences requirements, most students are able to transfer to LBC the maximum number of credits.
Credits for Prior Learning. Students can earn up to 17 Life Experience Credits, through the Credits for Prior Learning evaluation process, which will often reduce the time to complete a degree. The Life Experience Credit evaluation process is done after a student begins a program.
Our Admissions Counselors are here to help guide you in planning your course of study.
Other Criminal Justice Programs Options
Associate Degree Program Plan
| Credits | |
| Biblical Studies | 18 |
| General Education | 18 |
| Criminal Justice | 18 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 60 |
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and program details.
Minoring in the Program
Required Courses for a Minor in Criminal Justice (15 credits)
- CRJ 101 Intro to Criminal Justice (3)
- CRJ 203 American Judicial System (3)
- CRJ 211 Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (3)
- CRJ ____ Criminal Justice Elective (3)
- CRJ ____ Criminal Justice Elective (3)
View the Academic Catalog for details.
Why Should Christians Be Involved in Criminal Justice?
Criminal Justice Instructor John Churchville, JD, shares his perspective on why Christians should be involved in criminal justice.
Watch Video
A Graduate Shares His Experience
Hear from Carroll Briggs (’17) about his experience earning his undergraduate degree online.
Watch Video