Study Criminal Justice in Missouri
If you live in Missouri, you know that it’s a richly diverse state. This is true in terms of its culture, climate, and demographics. It’s also true of the state’s higher education system! With public and private colleges and universities around the state offering higher education opportunities, it’s easy to find the program that’s just right for you.
And since criminal justice is a popular major, you can choose from many different options, including those offered entirely online. In fact, you can get an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, or both in this field without ever stepping foot on campus.
The most difficult part of the process is often deciding where to go to school. This guide will help you narrow your choices by highlighting some of the popular online criminal justice programs in the Show Me State.
Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Missouri
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online criminal justice degrees in Missouri:
- University of Central Missouri
- Missouri Baptist University
- William Woods University
- Penn State University World Campus
- Missouri State University
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Maryville University
- Liberty University
- UMass Global
University of Central Missouri
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology
You can advance your education on your own terms by enrolling in the flexible online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology program at the University of Central Missouri. Your learning will be guided by expert faculty members who have real-life experience working in this field. This includes studying federal law enforcement policies with a former U.S. Marshal, learning about the prison system from a former corrections officer, and examining the court system with instruction from a Missouri municipal judge.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This program explores many other areas of criminal justice and criminology, so you graduate with a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills applicable to many different career paths. For example, you might use this degree to become a sheriff’s deputy, a courtroom bailiff, or a patrol officer. Likewise, you might also use this degree to kickstart your education in social research with an eye on completing a master’s degree.
The curriculum is divided into three parts: General education requirements, free electives, and major requirements. The general education requirements are typically completed during your first two years of college and include studies in areas such as:
- Rhetoric and writing
- Quantitative reasoning
- Arts and humanities
- Natural science
- Social science
You’re required to complete 39 semester hours of coursework in these and other general education fields. Beyond that, you’ll complete 39 credits of free electives, which you can choose from any undergraduate field of study, including criminal justice and criminology. The only caveat is that you cannot use criminal justice or criminology classes for free electives if they are required for the major or count as electives within the major.
Within the major, you’ll complete 42 credits – 27 credits of required coursework and 15 credits of criminal justice electives. As far as the required courses go, you’ll find standard fare like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Ethics in Criminal Justice, and Introduction to Juvenile Justice. But you’ll also take upper-division classes that focus on other areas of this field.
For example, you’ll take a 3000-level Corrections class that examines the theories upon which correctional systems are based. You’ll look at how correctional systems are organized, the tools and techniques used to keep prisons as safe as possible, and common problems that exist behind prison walls.
Likewise, you’ll take a course on Policing in a Democratic Society that examines how law enforcement and society at large are interrelated. You’ll focus on community relations, the police subculture, and constitutional procedures law enforcement officers must follow as part of their daily jobs.
The other required criminal justice classes include the following:
- Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
- Research in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Crime, Justice, and Social Diversity
- Criminology
As noted earlier, 15 elective credits are also required. The elective component is your opportunity to customize your program of study to your career goals. For example, if you want to become a law enforcement officer, you might take classes focusing on policing, the rights of the accused, and interrogation methods. Conversely, if a carer in corrections interests you, classes focusing on correctional theories, policies, and administrative procedures would be important to take.
The admissions requirements for first-year students are as follows:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
If you have a 2.75 high school GPA or higher, you do not have to submit ACT or SAT scores. However, all students, regardless of high school GPA, are encouraged to submit supplementary application materials, including a personal statement, academic letters of recommendation, and a list of academic achievements, community service experience, and leadership experience.
Missouri Baptist University
Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The online Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Missouri Baptist University offers the advantage of a cutting-edge curriculum. The university and its experienced criminal justice faculty consistently review the program’s curriculum to ensure you graduate with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. What’s more, this program focuses on more than just classroom learning; you’ll also have an opportunity to gain real-world experience prior to graduation.
As is required for all undergraduate degrees, you must complete a sequence of general education courses that help you develop essential academic skills. Courses like English Composition I and II enhance your written communication skills. Classes like Speech Communications help you develop improved oral communication skills.
Moreover, you’ll have opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in classes like Survey of Biology, Contemporary College Mathematics, and Precalculus. You’ll also gain an appreciation of the arts and humanities by taking classes like Appreciation of Music, World Religions, and Appreciation of Film. Additionally, you’re required to take courses in the following categories:
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Religion
- Technology and Information Literacy
- Interdisciplinary Studies
The criminal justice major requirements include classes in three different categories: criminal justice courses, major courses, and electives. The criminal justice courses give you insights into the essential foundations of the criminal justice system. For example, you’ll take Correctional Institutions to learn about the nature, structure, and function of corrections in the U.S. criminal justice system. As another example, you’ll take a Criminology class that examines the causes of crime and society’s role in defining what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.
Other required coursework focuses on the legal aspects of criminal justice. You’ll take Criminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Courts, Probation, and Parole, all of which give you insights into criminal law, the processes of charging and trying suspects, and rehabilitation components of the criminal justice system as well.
Further criminal justice courses are required in areas like Evidence, Organization and Administration, and Race, Ethnicity, and Crime. Combined with the courses outlined earlier, you can see how this curriculum offers a broad perspective on the U.S. criminal justice system.
The major coursework offers broad studies in a range of other criminal justice topics. For example, you’ll take Policing Institutions, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Juvenile Delinquency and the Justice System. These classes explore how police institutions are structured, how the criminal justice system is designed to work, and how the system is built to punish and rehabilitate youthful offenders.
Beyond these classes, you’re required to take 20-23 elective courses, of which six credits must be upper division. In all, you must earn at least 120 credits to graduate with this degree, which usually takes four years. However, accelerated options are available, so you might be able to finish this degree in 3.5 years or less.
You can apply to Missouri Baptist University online at any time. Once you complete your online application, an enrollment counselor will contact you to walk you through the rest of the admissions process. Though the exact admissions requirements vary from one program to the next, you’ll have to meet the following to be considered for admission as a first-year student:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
William Woods University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Studying criminal justice is simple at William Woods University, thanks to its online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Not only will you benefit from the flexibility of online learning, but you’ll also learn in classes taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. Those faculty members have experience in wide-ranging criminal justice fields, including law enforcement, law, and corrections.
The curriculum follows a traditional structure with general education courses, core criminal justice classes, and required criminal justice electives making up the majority of the 120 credits needed to graduate. The remaining credits are earned as free electives, which you can choose from any undergraduate field of study.
As for the general education requirements, they are similar to those outlined for the schools above. Broadly speaking, you’ll complete a liberal arts curriculum that introduces you to studies in the natural sciences, social sciences, math, and English. Other coursework is necessary in the arts, humanities, and communications, to name a few.
The core criminal justice courses comprise roughly half of the credits needed to graduate (54, to be exact). These classes represent a mix of lower-division and upper-division studies that give you unique insights into the modern criminal justice system.
You’ll start the program by taking Introduction to Criminal Justice, which offers basic explorations into crime in America and the roles of the police, the legal system, and correctional facilities within the criminal justice system. You’ll explore the fine balance between individual freedom and collective security while also examining the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. criminal justice system.
Another lower-division course you’ll take is Criminal Procedure. The course starts with the first point of contact between suspects and police and walks you through the various experiences of the accused, all the way to the appeal process. This includes an examination of topics like interrogations, confessions, and search and seizure. You’ll also learn about the formal proceedings of a criminal trial and what happens after the court hands down a conviction.
Other required core courses include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Criminal Justice and Cultural Revolution
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Foreign and Domestic Terrorism
- Criminal Law
- American Cults and Serial Killers
The remaining credits needed for this degree fall under the umbrella of required electives. You must take an ethics-focused elective and a capstone elective, which allows you to review what you’ve learned throughout the program and apply it to a real-world criminal justice situation. You’re also required to select four criminal justice courses to serve as additional elective credits.
William Woods University offers other learning opportunities outside of your online coursework. You can work side by side with faculty members who are conducting criminal justice research. You can also choose to attend national conferences on criminal justice topics. Another option is to join the university’s Criminal Justice Club to explore modern criminal justice issues with other students.
You must meet the following requirements to apply as a first-year student:
- Have a high school diploma.
- Have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Submit official ACT or SAT scores (this is optional, though).
Penn State University World Campus
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Penn State’s World Campus offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program. This 120-credit program usually takes about four years to complete if you study full-time. However, the flexible design allows you to choose your own pace, whether you want to take more classes to graduate sooner or fewer to fit a busy schedule.
In this program, you’ll develop key skills needed in the criminal justice field, such as:
- Solving complex problems related to criminal justice.
- Understanding and analyzing criminal behavior.
- Assessing the effectiveness of crime control measures.
- Explaining the legal basis of the criminal justice system.
- Critically evaluating research within the field of criminal justice.
Your education will begin with general education courses in areas like writing, speaking, quantification, and natural sciences. You’ll also take introductory courses in arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and health and wellness.
The core criminal justice curriculum includes 24 credits of required courses that provide a solid foundation. These courses cover essential topics like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Policing in America.
You’ll also take courses on Courts and the Prosecution Process, Corrections in America, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. Additionally, a statistics course will equip you with the skills to gather, analyze, and interpret criminal justice data.
You must complete another 12 credits in specialized areas such as Public and Private Policing, Diversity in Criminal Justice, and Special Populations and the Law. You can choose to focus on one of these areas or mix courses from different specializations.
For instance, if you are interested in diversity issues within criminal justice, your courses might include:
- Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
- Border Security
- Race, Crime, and Justice
- Criminal Law and Procedure
If you are more interested in administrative issues, your courses could be:
- Police Administration
- Border Security
- Alternatives to Incarceration
- The Juvenile Justice System
Elective courses allow you to further tailor your degree to your interests. Penn State offers a variety of electives in criminal justice, enabling you to explore areas such as security management, homeland security, or child welfare.
Moreover, Penn State recognizes prior police training. The university may grant up to 16.5 credits from ACT 120, Municipal Police Training, or Pennsylvania State Police training, which can be applied to courses like:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Courts and the Prosecution Process
- Policing in America
- Interpersonal Communication
- Physical Conditioning
- First Aid and CPR
To be eligible for admission, you need to:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Submit high school or GED transcripts.
- Provide official transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve attended.
- Demonstrate English proficiency if English is not your first language.
Missouri State University
Online Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University offers many levels of flexibility to help you earn your degree. On the one hand, the program is entirely online, so you can work on your studies when you have time without interfering with your work schedule. On the other hand, you can pursue this degree as a 30-credit thesis option or a 36-credit non-thesis option. Again, this allows you to complete your studies in a way that best suits your needs.
No matter which track you select, you’ll need about two years to complete this degree. You can cut that to 1.5 years if you take summer courses. Though this means taking classes year-round, it gives you the opportunity to finish the degree faster and enter the workforce sooner.
The 30-credit thesis option includes 18 credits of core coursework and 12 elective credits. The core coursework focuses on the major tenets of criminal justice and criminological studies, such as:
- Applied Research in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Policy
- The Ethics of Justice
- Offender Thinking and Decision-Making
- Crime Theory and Policy
The thesis portion includes two three-credit thesis classes, though “class” isn’t the best way to describe it. Rather than a traditional class setting, you’ll use this time to conduct research, devise and write your thesis, collaborate with your faculty advisor, and defend your thesis to a committee. This is an intense process, but one that allows you to develop your research skills, which is extremely important if you intend to continue your studies in a Ph.D. program.
Meanwhile, the non-thesis option follows much of the same footprint. However, rather than completing 15 elective credits and six credits of thesis work, you must complete 21 elective credits. These classes must come from within the criminal justice field unless you gain approval from your advisor to take electives outside of criminal justice (e.g., you might take a course on psychology and the law from the psychology department).
Missouri State offers a combined bachelor’s and master’s in criminology, too. If you enroll in this option, you’ll complete both degrees simultaneously by using up to 12 credits for both degree requirements. Doing so allows you to earn both degrees in just five years. Admission to this program is highly competitive and reserved only for the highest-achieving students.
The admissions requirements are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher or a 3.0 GPA or higher for your final 60 credits of undergraduate work. You can also gain admission by having a combined 290 score on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a statement of intent in which you explain your reasoning for applying to this program. You must also explain your post-graduate plans.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from references who can speak to your academic potential.
If the accelerated master’s program is of interest, you must apply during your junior year of college. You need a 3.25 GPA or higher to qualify and must have at least 15 credits of criminal justice coursework complete with a 3.4 GPA or higher. Additionally, you’ll need to submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members and provide a written statement of purpose.
What is the Best Degree to Get for Criminal Justice?
Choosing the best degree for a career in criminal justice depends on your career goals and interests within the field. Here are some options to consider, each offering unique advantages:
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Provides a broad understanding of the criminal justice system.
- Covers law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
- Suitable for entry-level positions in various criminal justice fields.
- Courses may include criminology, criminal law, policing, corrections, and juvenile justice.
- Career options include police officer, probation officer, correctional officer, and private security.
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology
- Focuses on the study of crime, criminal behavior, and societal responses.
- Emphasizes research and analytical skills.
- Ideal for careers in research, policy analysis, and academic roles.
- Courses often cover the sociology of crime, criminal psychology, and crime prevention strategies.
- Career options include criminologist, policy advisor, research analyst, and academic researcher.
Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science
- Combines criminal justice with natural sciences.
- Prepares you for roles in crime scene investigation and forensic analysis.
- Involves laboratory work and evidence collection.
- Courses include forensic chemistry, biology, and toxicology.
- Career options include forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, and lab technician.
Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security
- Focuses on protecting the nation from threats.
- Includes topics like emergency management, terrorism, and cybersecurity.
- Suitable for careers in federal agencies, emergency services, and security firms.
- Courses cover risk assessment, disaster response, and intelligence analysis.
- Career options include homeland security officer, emergency management coordinator, and cybersecurity analyst.
Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Provides advanced knowledge and specialized skills.
- Opens opportunities for leadership roles and higher-level positions.
- Often preferred for positions in federal agencies, academia, and policy making.
- Courses include advanced criminology, justice administration, and policy analysis.
- Career options include criminal justice administrator, policy maker, and academic professor.
Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology
- Combines psychology with criminal justice.
- Prepares you for roles in criminal profiling, counseling for offenders, and working with victims.
- Suitable for positions in law enforcement, corrections, and mental health services.
- Courses cover psychological assessment, offender rehabilitation, and victimology.
- Career options include forensic psychologist, criminal profiler, and correctional counselor.
Ultimately, the best degree for you will depend on your career aspirations and interests within the criminal justice field.