Study Criminal Justice in Michigan

Whether you want to work as a probation officer, prepare for law school, or have your sights set on being a private investigator, a degree in criminal justice is a great place to start. This is especially true since criminal justice degrees are so popular – most colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in this field.

Due to this popularity, many institutions have online options for criminal justice studies to reach an even larger pool of students. Better still, you can continue your college education in an online master’s program in criminal justice and get a high-quality education without leaving your home.

This guide offers a look at some of the popular criminal justice programs – both undergraduate and  graduate options. In each case, you’ll learn from renowned professors who use their expertise to help you achieve your academic goals. Let’s explore each program in more detail!

Best Accredited Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Michigan - Criminal Justice Bachelor's, Master's and Associate's Programs in MI

Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Michigan

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online criminal justice degrees in Michigan:

  • Northern Michigan University
  • Baker College
  • Western Michigan University
  • Penn State University World Campus
  • Michigan State University
  • Calvin University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • UMass Global
  • The Chicago School
  • Walden University

Northern Michigan University

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University offers you the advantage of transferring up to 90 college credits. If you started your degree elsewhere and want a change of pace, began a program a few years ago and need to finish, or something in between, this program might be a great option for you.

Of course, this program is also a top choice if you’re a new college student fresh out of high school. If that’s the case, you’ll begin your studies by completing 30-40 general education credits. These classes are introductory in nature and help you develop essential skills for success in school, work, and life in general.

For example, general education coursework usually includes studies in the following areas:

  • Math and quantitative reasoning
  • Natural sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Communications and English

Additionally, you’re likely to take classes in the humanities, art, physical education, and a foreign language, to name a few.

The required criminal justice classes are divided into two segments: the criminal justice core and criminal justice electives. The core courses include foundational work in areas like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Policing, and Introduction to Corrections. In each case, you’ll learn the philosophies, theories, and practices of criminal justice, trends and issues in each field, and explore problems related to policing, corrections, and other areas of criminal justice.

Also required is an Introduction to Criminal Courts class that gives you insights into the criminal court system. You’ll learn about the processes of charging suspects with crimes, setting bail, and sentencing procedures. Likewise, you’ll examine the roles of important players in the process, including prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges.

Another interesting required course is Criminology. This class analyzes the causes of crime. You’ll examine strategies used to prevent crime, explore theories related to the causation of crime, and study crime as a social construct. Paired with a class on Criminal Procedure, which discusses the rules of evidence, arrest, search and seizure, and so forth, you’ll have a complete picture of crime from its inception to the point of arrest.

The final required core course is Professional Development and Assessment. As the name indicates, this class prepares you for competent and ethical work in this field. You’ll examine your personal values, beliefs, and skills and learn how to use those qualities to enhance your on-the-job performance.

The elective component of this degree requires you to take 20 credits of criminal justice courses. At least 16 of these credits must be in 300 or 400-level classes. Northern Michigan University offers a broad selection of classes that allow you to tailor your studies to your specific interests.

For example, let’s say you’re interested in becoming a police detective. In that case, you might take classes like Criminal Investigation, Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation, and Substantive Criminal Law. If, on the other hand, you envision a career in corrections, you might take courses like Community-Based Corrections, Institutional Corrections, and Legal Issues in Corrections.

Other potential electives explore other specific topics in criminal justice, such as:

  • Use of Force and Less Lethal Weapons
  • Drugs, Crime, and the Justice System
  • Environmental Conservation Criminology
  • Media and Crime
  • Forensic Photography

If this program sounds interesting, you can apply for admission to Northern Michigan online anytime you want. The university’s admission requirements for first-year students are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.25 or higher.
  • Provide official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Provide official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.

Baker College

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Baker College focuses specifically on criminal justice studies. This specialization readies you for immediate entry into the workforce in law enforcement and corrections. Paired with a graduate degree, you might also pursue policy-based or administrative roles in law enforcement or corrections. This degree is also good preparation for starting law school.

Whatever path you choose, you’ll learn essential features of the criminal justice system from experts in the field. In fact, the curriculum you’ll complete was designed using input from seasoned criminal justice professionals. This ensures you’ll have relevant and marketable skills upon graduating.

This program requires 120 credits to graduate, which most students accomplish in four years of full-time studies. These credits are divided equally among general education courses and major-area coursework.

As noted earlier, general education classes give you a broad education in critical fields like the natural sciences, math, English, and the social sciences, to name a few. Though Baker College requires you to complete classes in specific areas of study, it’s often up to you which classes you take to fulfill those requirements.

For example, to fulfill a natural sciences lab requirement, you might take Environmental Science, Introduction to Biology, or Introduction to Chemistry. As another example, to fulfill a social science requirement, you might take Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, or Introduction to Political Science.

Within the major, you’ll start with basic courses such as:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Introduction to Corrections
  • Diversity in Criminal Justice
  • Criminology

Broadly speaking, these classes explore essential features of criminal justice, including the nature of crime, current issues in corrections, and prevailing theories of crime and justice. Once you complete these classes, you’ll move on to more specific criminal justice studies.

For example, you’ll take a course in Principles of Policing that explores the evolution of policing in the United States. You’ll look at historical trends, modern methods of policing, and the tools and methods currently used to prevent and investigate crime.

Another specific course you might take is Drugs, Crime, and Society. As a student in this class, you’ll analyze how these three factors are interrelated and investigate current issues, such as the decriminalization of drugs. This includes an examination of U.S. drug policy, including the war on drugs.

Other required courses include the following:

  • Cybercrimes
  • Introduction to Forensic Science
  • Evidence-Based Practices
  • Introduction to Courts
  • Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice

Fifteen credits of criminal justice electives are additionally required. These classes allow you to specialize your studies to an extent. Options include Legal Issues in Corrections, Community Corrections, and Security Management. You might also take classes on Evidence Collection and Procedures, Organized Crime and Youth Gangs, or Organizational Leadership in Criminal Justice.

The final component of this program is a capstone experience. You can choose between two options. First, a work experience option is available in which you spend a minimum of 150 hours working in a criminal justice setting under the supervision of an experienced criminal justice official. These hours can be volunteer or paid.

Second, you can develop an experiential learning portfolio if you prefer. This option allows you to reflect on the hands-on experiences you’ve had working in criminal justice and examine what you’ve learned and how you’ll apply it in a future criminal justice career.

The requirements for admission as a first-year student are as follows:

  • Complete the online application linked above.
  • Pay a $30 application fee.
  • Send a copy of your high school diploma or equivalency certificate.

You can submit ACT or SAT scores along with the documents listed above, but this is not required.

Western Michigan University

Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies

At Western Michigan University, you can complete a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies that explores crime, justice, sociology, and other essential components of this field. It’s a flexible program with online options that allow you to get the education you want without impacting your ability to tend to work, family, and social obligations.

This program offers two concentrations. The first option is a criminal justice track that focuses specifically on the components of the criminal justice system and the processes of crime and punishment. You’ll explore crime as a result of social problems, how police agencies operate, and the process of adjudicating crimes in the court system.

The second option is a justice studies track that examines solutions to economic, political, and social problems. More specifically, you’ll learn about human rights, deviant behavior, and race and gender issues as it pertains to criminal justice.

Whichever track you choose, you’ll gain critical skills and competencies that allow you to pursue employment immediately upon graduation. This includes the ability to:

  • Analyze crime as a social problem.
  • Examine how crime and justice are intertwined with social control, power, and ideology.
  • Explore the impact of injustice on individuals, institutions, and communities.
  • Advocate for solutions to criminal justice inequalities.

You’ll learn these and other skills in a curriculum with an interdisciplinary focus. For example, you’re required to take three sociology prerequisite courses to prepare for your studies: Principles of Sociology, Modern Social Problems, and Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies. These classes are paired with English 1050, a writing-intensive course that helps you develop improved written communication skills.

Criminal justice-focused classes come next. Core coursework includes studies of Criminology, Critical Issues in Criminal Justice, and Advanced Criminology. You must also take courses in Methods of Data Collection and Methods of Data Analysis to become familiar with research methodologies in this field.

As noted earlier, you’ll choose between the criminal justice or justice studies track. Each track requires you to take three courses, which you must choose from a slate of approved classes. For example, the criminal justice track offers four course options, of which you must choose three:

  • Policing and Society
  • Courts and Society
  • Punishment and Society
  • Juvenile Delinquency and Justice

The justice studies track offers eight possible courses, of which you must choose three. Your options vary from Sociology of Deviance to Drugs and Society to Family Violence. Other options include Women and Justice, Environmental Justice, and Corporate and Governmental Crime.

The final two components of this degree program are electives and special studies in investigation, discovery, and experience. Again, you have wide latitude regarding what courses you take. If you’re interested in studying crimes against children, you might take classes like Child Abuse, Victimology, and the Family as a Social Institution. Or, if you’re interested in technology’s role in criminal justice, you might take courses like Technology and Society, Surveillance and Society, and Technologies and Controversies in Criminal Justice.

The investigation, discovery, and experience requirement can be fulfilled by taking one of the following courses:

  • Law Enforcement Certification
  • Social Justice and Service Learning
  • Applied Research in Criminal Justice
  • Criminal Justice Studies Internship
  • Directed Individual Study

You must meet the following requirements to apply as a first-year student:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Provide official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Provide a list of awards and achievements.

You may provide ACT or SAT scores with your application if you wish, but you are not required to do so.

Penn State University World Campus

Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Penn State’s World Campus is a 120-credit degree typically completed in about four years of full-time study. This flexible program allows you to adjust your pace by either accelerating your studies or spreading them out to fit your personal schedule.

During this program, you’ll acquire vital skills in the field of criminal justice, including:

  • Tackling complex problems related to criminal justice.
  • Analyzing patterns of criminal behavior.
  • Evaluating the success of crime control strategies.
  • Explaining the legal principles underpinning the criminal justice system.
  • Assessing research within the criminal justice field.

Your studies will cover several key areas. First, you’ll complete general education courses in subjects such as writing, speaking, quantification, and natural sciences. Additionally, you’ll take introductory courses in arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and health and wellness.

The core curriculum for criminal justice includes 24 credits of essential courses that serve as the foundation of your education. These courses cover fundamental topics such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Policing in America.

You’ll also complete courses focused on Courts and the Prosecution Process, Corrections in America, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. Research-oriented courses, including a statistics class, will teach you how to gather, analyze, and interpret criminal justice data.

You’ll then choose 12 credits of specialized courses in areas like Public and Private Policing, Diversity in Criminal Justice, and Special Populations and the Law. Each concentration offers several courses, allowing you to either specialize in one area or select courses across different areas.

For instance, if you are interested in diversity issues, you might take:

  • Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
  • Border Security
  • Race, Crime, and Justice
  • Criminal Law and Procedure

If administrative issues are more your focus, your courses might include:

  • Police Administration
  • Border Security
  • Alternatives to Incarceration
  • The Juvenile Justice System

To complete your degree, you’ll also take elective courses. Penn State offers a wide range of electives in criminal justice, enabling you to tailor your studies to your interests. Possible focuses include security management, homeland security, and child welfare.

Furthermore, you can earn credits for police training. Penn State may accept up to 16.5 credits from ACT 120, Municipal Police Training, or Pennsylvania State Police training, applying them to courses such as:

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Courts and the Prosecution Process
  • Policing in America
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Physical Conditioning
  • First Aid and CPR

To be admitted, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Submit high school or GED transcripts.
  • Provide official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Michigan State University

Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to advance your education even further, Michigan State University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice that can be completed entirely online. This two-year program focuses on interdisciplinary studies that can lead to employment in a variety of settings, from criminal courts to correctional facilities to advocacy work.

This program requires you to complete ten courses to graduate, for a total of 30 credits. During that time, you’ll take core classes and electives that offer you a well-rounded criminal justice education.

The core coursework includes six classes on specific criminal justice topics. For example, you’ll take a Proseminar in Criminal Justice that allows you to study topics that most interest you. You’ll review academic articles, non-academic media and literature, and gain a better understanding of criminal justice through thorough research. You’re required to write a paper based on your research as the summative assessment for this class.

As another example, you’ll take a class on Criminal Justice Behavior and Ethics. On the one hand, you’ll discuss the theories of ethics and your moral and legal obligations as an employee within the criminal justice system. On the other hand, you’ll also learn about deviance and criminality and how your obligation to ethical practice requires you to remain objective, even in the face of grossly deviant criminal behavior.

Other core courses include the following:

  • Crime Causation, Prevention, and Control
  • Criminal Justice Management Seminar
  • Fundamentals of Basic and Translational Research
  • Policy Analysis Under Condition of Change Capstone

The elective component offers you a great deal of choice. You can choose to specialize in security management if you wish, or you can take 12 elective credits of your choice to satisfy this component of the degree.

Should you choose the security management specialization, you’ll take courses like Security Administration, Security Management, Criminal Justice Management Seminar, and Crime Causation, Prevention, and Control. However, if you choose 12 elective credits on your own, you have much more freedom to examine topics of interest to you.

For example, Michigan State offers nearly two dozen class options, of which you must select four. These classes run the gamut from Advanced Crime Analysis to Product Counterfeiting to Terrorism. Other options include Globalization of Crime, Comparative Criminal Justice, and Foundations of Homeland Security.

There is also a field experience option you can use to satisfy part of the elective credit requirement. You can complete a practicum or internship in either a domestic or foreign criminal justice system. This includes the opportunity to work directly with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit to provide assistance in investigating real cold cases.

To apply, you must first meet the following admission requirements:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation from previous professors, supervisors, or work colleagues.
  • Submit a personal statement.
  • Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.

What are the Career Opportunities for Criminal Justice Graduates in Michigan?

Michigan offers various roles across different sectors, each contributing to the effective functioning of the criminal justice system in Michigan.

Law Enforcement

In the law enforcement sector, you can work as a police officer or detective in major cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Lansing. These roles are crucial for maintaining public order and safety, investigating crimes, and fostering trust within the community. Police officers often engage in routine patrols, respond to emergency calls, and conduct traffic enforcement. Detectives specialize in investigating serious crimes, gathering evidence, and interviewing witnesses.

The Michigan State Police is another key employer, providing opportunities for roles in traffic regulation, criminal investigations, and specialized units such as narcotics or cybercrime. State troopers have the responsibility of enforcing laws across the state, conducting investigations, and collaborating with local law enforcement agencies.

Corrections

In the corrections sector, the Michigan Department of Corrections offers positions as correctional officers, probation officers, and parole officers. Correctional officers work in prisons and jails, ensuring the safety and security of inmates, managing daily operations, and preventing escapes. Probation officers supervise individuals who are serving probation instead of incarceration, monitoring their compliance with court-ordered conditions, and providing resources for rehabilitation.

Parole officers work with individuals who have been released from prison on parole, helping them reintegrate into society, ensuring they follow parole conditions, and providing support to prevent recidivism. These roles are vital for maintaining order within correctional facilities and supporting the successful reintegration of former inmates into society.

Social Services

Social services offer a range of roles for criminal justice graduates, including social workers and case managers. Social workers assist individuals and families affected by crime, providing counseling, advocacy, and connecting them with resources such as housing, employment, and mental health services. They work in various settings, including community organizations, government agencies, and non-profit groups.

Case managers often work with specific populations, such as victims of domestic violence, juvenile offenders, or individuals reentering society after incarceration. They develop case plans, coordinate services, and monitor progress to ensure clients receive the support they need to lead productive lives.

Cybersecurity

With the increasing prevalence of cybercrime, the field of cybersecurity offers new opportunities for criminal justice graduates. Cybersecurity professionals work to protect information systems, detect and respond to cyber threats, and investigate cybercrimes. They may work for private companies, government agencies, or cybersecurity firms.

Specializing in cybercrime prevention and investigation involves understanding the methods used by cybercriminals, implementing security measures to protect sensitive data, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to track and prosecute offenders.

Federal Agencies

Federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security offer specialized career paths. These positions often require additional training and education but provide opportunities to engage in national security efforts, counter-terrorism, and complex criminal investigations.

FBI agents investigate a wide range of federal crimes, including terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime. DEA agents focus on enforcing drug laws, conducting investigations, and working to dismantle drug trafficking organizations. Homeland Security agents work on protecting the country from various threats, including terrorism, human trafficking, and immigration violations.

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