Study Criminal Justice in Indiana
Right in the heartland of the U.S., Indiana offers a low cost of living, easy access to urban centers, and a slower pace of life than many areas of the country. It also offers an excellent higher education system with an extensive network of public colleges and universities.
Many of these schools offer criminal justice programs, too. You can earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree from an Indiana program and begin your criminal justice career soon after graduating. Better still, you can get your degree entirely online, thanks to a large number of colleges and universities in the state offering distance learning options.
If you’re a student in Indiana (or elsewhere in the U.S.) and want to get your degree in this field, the following Indiana programs are among the most popular. Read up on each one, and decide which fits your needs the best.
Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Indiana
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online criminal justice degrees in Indiana:
- Indiana University
- Ball State University
- Indiana State University
- Liberty University
- University of Southern Indiana
- Anderson University
- Arizona State University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Maryville University
Indiana University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana University is ranked in the top 20 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. As such, it’s a popular option for students like you who wish to expand their education while enjoying the flexibility of online learning.
This 120-credit program offers a number of advantages. First, you can choose between traditional 16-week and accelerated 8-week classes. You can mix and match, too, to accommodate your work and life schedule. Second, you can choose from five start dates throughout the year, which enables you to work around busy times of your life without missing the opportunity to start your classes. And, of course, you can access course materials at any time and from anywhere, enabling you to study on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
The curriculum is wide-ranging and includes coursework in the following areas:
- General education courses
- General electives
- Criminal justice core courses
- Criminal justice electives
You must also take one class in each of the following fields:
- First-year seminar
- Ethics
- Information literacy
- Diversity
- Social work
The general education courses explore basic fields of study that give you a holistic set of knowledge and skills. These classes include subjects like English composition, communications, science, and math. It also includes studies in the arts, humanities, history, and social sciences. You must complete 30 credits of required general education courses. The number of general electives you need depends on the number of other credits you earn.
The criminal justice core coursework includes 27 credits of studies in areas such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Theories of Crime and Deviance, and Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Research. Each of these classes is a lower-division introductory course that helps you build a solid understanding of the criminal justice field and its development over time.
These classes are paired with upper-division courses that explore more specific topics. For example, you’ll take classes on Police in Contemporary Society, Courts and Criminal Justice, and Corrections and Criminal Justice. Furthermore, you’ll study Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Management, and complete a Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice.
You’ll complete nine criminal justice elective credits in addition to the core criminal justice classes discussed above. Indiana University offers more than a dozen elective classes to choose from, ranging from Criminal Justice Ethics to Crime in the Mass Media to Wrongful Conviction.
Other criminal justice options you might consider include the following:
- Foundations of Criminal Investigation
- American Juvenile Justice System
- Seminar on White-Collar Crime
- Procedural Criminal Law
- Evidence
You can also elect to participate in a research internship. This is a unique opportunity to work with criminal justice professionals to investigate key questions in the modern criminal justice world. For example, you might assist with research on new theories of policing, community corrections, or sentencing proposals for convicted offenders.
You can apply to Indiana University online at any time. You must meet the following requirements to apply as a first-year student:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Ball State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology
Ball State University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology combines the study of the criminal justice system with the study of why crime occurs in the first place. As such, this program is ideal for existing criminal justice professionals who want to supplement their current knowledge with expanded studies in criminology.
Whatever type of student you might be, this program offers you the utmost flexibility. All courses are entirely online and asynchronous. This means there are no set class times that you have to attend online. Instead, you can work on your assignments on your own schedule, provided you submit your assignments by their deadlines.
As far as the curriculum goes, this program is a little different from most. Ball State has reduced the number of required courses to allow you to tailor the remaining courses to your specific career goals. In other words, you are allowed to take more criminal justice and criminology electives to satisfy the 120-credit requirement to graduate, giving you the power to complete your degree with the job-specific knowledge and skills that will be most helpful in jump-starting your desired career after graduation.
Yet, one thing about this program sticks to tradition – you’re required to complete a sequence of general education classes to build your academic skills. As discussed earlier, these classes are very broad and introduce you to topics ranging from math and science to social sciences and English composition. More specifically, you’re required to take classes such as:
- Rhetoric and Writing
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Fine Arts, Design, and Humanities (e.g., Computer Applications for Design Solutions)
- Natural and Social Sciences (e.g., Family Relations)
You’re also required to complete a capstone course or experience within the criminal justice major as well as a writing emphasis course, such as Human Behavior and the Social Environment.
Within the criminal justice major, you’ll complete 24 credits of foundational courses and 24 elective courses. The foundational classes are standard fare for criminal justice undergraduate degrees. For example, you’ll take Introduction to Criminal Justice, which is a survey of essential topics in this field, ranging from the history of criminal justice to modern correctional techniques to criminal court proceedings and sentencing.
You’ll also take an Introduction to Criminology class, which explores theories about the nature of crime. This class seeks to answer questions like, “Why does crime occur?”, “Why are some people more prone to committing crime?”, and “What social factors make the committal of crime more likely?”
The remaining foundational coursework prepares you for advanced studies in this field. These classes include the following:
- Race, Gender, and Crime
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Ethics and Decision-Making
- Criminal Law
- Evaluation Research in Criminal Justice
The electives you take must be selected from a list of nearly 20 university-approved options. These classes touch on a wide range of criminal justice topics, such as Victimology, Constitutional Issues, and Criminal Evidence and Procedure. Other options worth considering include Institutional Corrections, Introduction to Courts, and Introduction to Policing, to name a few.
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores (if you’re a first-year or continuing student with fewer than 24 college credits).
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher for all college coursework.
- Submit an optional one-page personal statement or resume.
- Submit ACT or SAT scores (this is optional as well).
Indiana State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Indiana State University focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of these fields as well as the applied components of practicing in these fields. In other words, you’ll participate in online studies that help you build relevant knowledge and skills and then have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in pre-professional settings.
This program is interdisciplinary. As such, you’ll explore criminology and criminal justice through multiple lenses. In fact, the faculty who teach the program’s courses have backgrounds in areas like psychology, law, sociology, and criminal justice. Some faculty members come from prosecutorial backgrounds, have experience as probation and parole officers, and have worked as correctional counselors and therapists.
You’ll begin the program by completing general education requirements. As discussed earlier, these classes serve as a foundation for building necessary academic and professional skills. These liberal arts courses in math, science, English, social sciences, and other fields help you build skills such as:
- Effective communication skills.
- Enhanced critical thinking abilities.
- Enhanced problem-solving skills.
- Effective analytical skills.
Of course, the required general education classes aren’t the only general courses you need to take. You’ll supplement the required coursework with electives from other undergraduate fields of study. For example, you might focus your elective coursework on related fields, like sociology, psychology, or social work, if you intend to work in an applied criminal justice career, such as a police officer or correctional officer.
Alternatively, let’s say you’re more interested in working in criminal justice research. That being the case, you might use the general elective component of this program to gain enhanced research skills. You might do so by taking classes like social research methods, statistics for social science, and experimental design.
In addition to the general education courses and electives, you’re also required to complete 42 credits of study in criminology and criminal justice. This includes 36 credits of lower-division and upper-division core coursework.
One of the first classes you’ll take is Criminology. This class examines criminal behavior, including the nature of crime, the development of criminal law, and the manners in which society reacts to crime. You’ll supplement this with a course in Introduction to Law Enforcement, which analyzes the philosophical and historical foundations of policing at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
The core coursework for this degree also requires you to take an Introduction to Corrections class. This course is a survey of the development of corrections in the U.S. You’ll study the philosophies that have guided that development as well as modern practices that guide offenders through rehabilitation.
The remaining five core courses include the following:
- Introduction to Court Systems
- Criminal Justice Report Writing
- Victimology
- Introduction to Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law and Procedure
You’ll add six credits of elective coursework to the required studies listed above.
This program is open to first-year students and transfer students. If you transfer to this program, you must complete at least 27 of the 42 required core and elective criminal justice and criminology credits at Indiana State.
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Have a high school diploma that adheres to the Indiana Core 40 curriculum (or an equivalent diploma if you graduate from a non-Indiana high school). Equivalency exam scores (e.g., GED) are also accepted.
- Have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. You must have a 2.0 college GPA or higher if you’re a transfer student.
Liberty University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
At Liberty University, you can achieve a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in a four-year period. During this time, you’ll need to earn 120 or more credits, covering a variety of subjects to prepare you for careers in the criminal justice sector. With this degree, you can pursue roles such as police officer, correctional officer, probation officer, as well as opportunities in victim advocacy, social research, and policy development within the field.
One unique aspect of this program is the choice between nine different degree tracks. If you are looking for a broad education, the Generalized Track might be suitable. If you have specific career goals, you could opt for tracks like Juvenile Justice, Crime Scene Investigation, or Corrections and Human Services. Other available tracks include:
- Business Administration and Management
- Criminal Psychology
- Homeland Security
- Public Administration
- Strategic Intelligence Studies
Each track is designed with 8-week accelerated courses, allowing you to manage a lighter course load while still completing your degree in four years.
Across all specializations, you’ll take foundational courses and major-area requirements. This includes broad studies in liberal arts such as communications, civics, social and scientific inquiry, and mathematics. Additionally, as a religious institution, Liberty requires courses in Christianity.
Before delving into criminal justice-specific courses, you must complete American Government and Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise. Following these, you’ll complete a 39-credit core sequence of major courses.
You’ll begin with lower-level courses like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Research and Writing, and Criminal Justice Report Writing. These courses establish basic skills essential for success in your studies and future career. For instance, Introduction to Criminal Justice covers key theories, techniques, and practices, while the other courses focus on enhancing research and writing skills.
Next, you’ll progress to upper-level courses, such as Judicial Process, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Criminal Procedure. Additionally, courses in Juvenile Justice, Corrections, and Criminology are required.
To tailor your degree to your career interests, you’ll complete a series of Cognate courses specific to your chosen track. Each track has distinct cognate requirements.
For example, the Strategic Intelligence Studies track includes:
- Introduction to Intelligence and National Security
- Intelligence Analyst
- Counter-Terrorism
- Military Operations and Intelligence
- Strategic Intelligence
In contrast, the Criminal Psychology track includes:
- Overview of Theory and Treatment of Substance Abuse
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavior Management
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior
To apply, you need to:
- Complete the online application.
- Pay a $50 application fee.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for admission in good standing.
University of Southern Indiana
Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want an advanced education in this field, the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Indiana might be for you. This online program requires you to complete 36 credits of coursework, which can be done in as little as 12 months.
As an entirely online program, this master’s degree enables you to get the education you need for career advancement without interfering with your ability to continue in your current position. The curriculum is evenly divided between core coursework and electives, so you’ll get the necessary foundational understanding of criminal justice while also being able to adapt the program to your interests through elective coursework.
The core courses examine advanced components of criminal justice study. On the one hand, you’ll develop key competencies and abilities for conducting research by taking classes like Research Methods and Quantitative Methods. These classes give you insights into the science of research, including experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
Furthermore, you’ll take classes focusing on administrative and policy concerns. For example, the Criminal Justice Policy and Practice class examines the process of developing criminal justice policies, the forces impacting policy development, and the real-world impacts that criminal justice policies have on law enforcement, the court system, and the correctional system.
As another example, you’ll take Criminal Justice Administration, which offers both a conceptual and theoretical overview of how to run criminal justice organizations. You’ll learn about effective organizational structures and the importance of communication with stakeholders, as well as gain important leadership skills.
The final two core courses are Criminological Theory and Synthesis. The Criminological Theory class surveys historical and modern explanations of crime and deviance and how those theories are used to devise criminal justice policies. Meanwhile, the Synthesis class focuses on helping you synthesize what you’ve learned throughout the program and write an academic paper on a topic of your choosing. You must also present your paper prior to graduation.
The other half of the credits needed to graduate are electives. The university gives you many different choices for earning the 18 needed credits. For example, you can take seminar classes in each of the main branches of criminal justice: Seminar in Corrections, Seminar in Policing, and Seminar in Criminal Courts. Each of these classes examines important issues and focuses on solving real-world problems within the criminal justice system.
Alternatively, you might take Ethics in Criminal Justice. This class examines ethical theories that drive professionalism in this field. You’ll also explore issues of morality and how they’re applied in criminal justice professional practice.
Other elective options focus on applying what you’ve learned. On the one hand, you can participate in an internship to gain real-world experience in this field. On the other hand, you can choose a thesis option, which requires you to conduct thorough research on an approved topic and defend your work to a committee.
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Submit an online application and pay a $40 application fee.
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Is It Better to Get a Degree in Criminology or Criminal Justice?
Both fields are closely related but differ in their approaches and potential career paths.
Criminology primarily focuses on the study of crime as a social phenomenon, emphasizing theoretical and research-oriented approaches. It involves understanding the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior through an interdisciplinary approach that includes sociology, psychology, anthropology, and other social sciences. The curriculum often emphasizes research methods, statistical analysis, and theory development.
Criminology graduates typically find career opportunities in academic and research roles, where they conduct research and teach at universities. They may also work in policy development within government or private organizations, analyzing and developing criminal justice policies.
Additionally, criminology degrees can lead to positions in social services, including rehabilitation, community services, and victim advocacy. This path is ideal for those interested in understanding the sociological and psychological aspects of crime, pursuing research or academic careers, and engaging in theoretical and analytical work.
In contrast, criminal justice focuses on the systems and institutions that respond to criminal behavior, such as law enforcement, courts, and corrections. It emphasizes practical and applied knowledge, with courses on law enforcement procedures, criminal law, corrections, and the judicial process. The curriculum often focuses on developing skills for immediate application in criminal justice careers, such as investigative techniques and legal knowledge.
Criminal justice graduates typically pursue careers in law enforcement, including positions as police officers, detectives, or federal agents. They may also find roles in corrections and probation, working within correctional facilities or in probation and parole services.
Additionally, there are opportunities within the legal and court systems, such as court administrators or legal assistants, and in the private sector, including private security, compliance, and investigative services. This path is suited for those interested in working directly within the criminal justice system, seeking a career in law enforcement, corrections, or legal settings, and preferring practical and applied learning over theoretical studies.
Some universities offer interdisciplinary programs that combine criminology and criminal justice, providing a broad understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of crime and justice.
When deciding between a degree in criminology or criminal justice, consider your career goals and the type of job you want after graduation. Criminology is more suited for research and policy-making, while criminal justice prepares you for operational roles within the justice system.
Reflect on whether you are more interested in the societal causes and implications of crime (criminology) or the functioning and management of the criminal justice system (criminal justice). Additionally, think about whether you prefer a more research-focused academic path or a hands-on, practical approach to learning.