Study Criminal Justice in Tennessee
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is a great option for opening many different career paths. You can work in law enforcement, for the courts as a bailiff, or in the correctional system, to name but a few. And getting your undergraduate degree in Tennessee has never been more simple, given the numerous online options you can pursue to complete a program.
You can also get a master’s degree online in criminal justice. A graduate degree in this field offers many more avenues for advancing your career in this field or switching to this field after working elsewhere.
Whatever level of degree you’re looking for, you’ll find some excellent options below. In fact, we’ve identified some of the popular bachelor’s and master’s program in criminal justice, all of which are offered entirely online from Tennessee schools.
Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Tennessee
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online criminal justice degrees in Tennessee:
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- Tennessee Wesleyan University
- South College
- East Tennessee State University
- Grand Canyon University
- King University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- UMass Global
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from UT-Chattanooga blends on-demand coursework with online interactive components to give you the most flexibility for completing the degree while also getting live interaction with your professors and classmates. Each course is designed specifically for online delivery and taught by esteemed faculty who have extensive experience in this field.
The advantage of asynchronous coursework is that you can work on your assignments at any time of day or night – whatever works for you. Access to course materials is also available at any time and from anywhere, giving you the utmost flexibility for pursuing your degree.
You must complete 120 credits to earn this degree. Initially, your classes will be in the general education category. These courses explore essential academic fields like natural sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and mathematics. The skills you learn in these courses lay the foundation for a better understanding of the world around you and improved abilities to analyze, problem-solve, and think critically. Other general education courses fall under the following categories:
- Non-Western Culture
- Statistics
- Fine Arts and Humanities
- Rhetoric and Writing
All told, you’ll complete around 40 credits of general education coursework. You’ll add at least 39 more credits of electives in areas of your choice. You can fulfill this elective requirement by taking classes within the criminal justice major (as long as they aren’t already required) and outside the major, too. The only other caveat is that your elective classes must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
The remaining 48 credits needed to graduate focus on criminal justice studies. There are 30 credits of core courses you must complete, each of which offers insights into primary areas of inquiry and practice in this field. For example, you’ll take an Introduction to Criminal Law class that examines substantive and procedural law as they relate to the following:
- Criminal investigations
- Processing suspects
- Punishment for crimes
- Historical foundations of criminal law
- Purposes and functions of law
As another example, you’ll take a Policing course that analyzes how policing has evolved over the years. To do so, you’ll explore the historical foundations of police work and its philosophical evolution. You’ll discuss the role of police in society, subculture, police corruption, and community relations, among other important topics.
Yet another required course is Race, Class, Gender, and Crime. This course reviews the relationship between crime, society, and policing. You’ll learn about criminal behavior, victimization, and other criminal justice issues through the lens of the minority experience as well.
The remaining core courses needed to complete this program include the following:
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Criminology
- Corrections
- Courts
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Research Methodology
- Capstone in Criminal Justice Issues
A further 18 credits of criminal justice electives must also be completed.
The requirements for first-year admission are as follows:
- Complete the application for admission linked above.
- Pay a $30 application fee.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit official ACT or SAT scores.
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice administration, the Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership from Tennessee Wesleyan University is good preparation. This online program isn’t just flexible; it’s also specifically designed for non-traditional students.
For example, let’s assume you started your degree a few years ago but never finished. In the time since, you’ve worked in an entry-level position in criminal justice. To pursue better employment, you want to complete your degree. This degree completion program could be a good fit given the online format and flexible classes.
Since this is a degree completion program, you only need to complete 45 credits within the criminal justice major (assuming you have earned enough credits to fulfill the remaining requirements to earn a degree from Tennessee Wesleyan). Of those, 30 credits fall under the core coursework category.
This program requires you to complete typical criminal justice core classes, like Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. But, given its focus on criminal justice leadership, you are also required to take less common courses like Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership and Writing for the Criminal Justice Professional.
Additionally, you’ll take a class entitled Speech for the Criminal Justice Professional. This course focuses on helping you build the skills needed to be an effective oral communicator. You’ll learn how to deliver professional speeches, how to actively listen to others, and how to improve your interpersonal communication skills, too.
A further core requirement is a course on Constitutional Law and Criminal Process. Even if you don’t intend to work as a law enforcement officer or attorney in the field, it’s still necessary for criminal justice leaders to understand the primary tenets of the U.S. Constitution and what it stipulates regarding the criminal process.
The remaining 15 credits within the major come in one of two concentrations: Administration of Justice or Behavioral Science. Both concentrations offer numerous benefits for working in a leadership position in this field.
For example, the Administration of Justice concentration is an ideal choice if you envision yourself working in law enforcement or the correctional system. To prepare for these types of careers, you’ll take courses like Corrections in America, Organizational Theory, and Drugs and Crime. Other options you might choose from include the following:
- The Juvenile Justice System
- Crime Scene Investigation and Prioritization
- Theory and Practice of Law Enforcement
- Terrorism and Homeland Security
On the other hand, if you intend to use this degree to study the psychological and sociological underpinnings of crime, the Behavioral Science concentration is a better option. This concentration also requires you to complete 15 credits, but you don’t get to choose what classes to take. Instead, you’re required to take each of the following:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Social Research Methods
- Social Psychology
- Race and Ethnicity
You can apply to Tennessee Wesleyan University online at any time. The following requirements must be met to be considered for admission:
- Be at least 23 years of age and meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Be at least one year removed from high school graduation.
- Attend college part-time.
- Work full-time.
- Be financially independent for financial aid purposes.
- Have dependents other than a spouse.
- Complete the application for admission linked above.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
South College
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
With campuses around the nation – including Nashville – and many degrees online, South College is a solid choice for getting your education. Its Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is available to you as a Tennessee resident and can be completed entirely online (or in a hybrid format, if you choose). Your studies will focus on developing critical skills in areas like corrections, investigative techniques, and law enforcement operations, to name a few.
You’ll begin this program by completing a core curriculum with coursework in communications, humanities, personal development, and written communication. You’re also required to take classes in computer literacy, humanities, math, and science. At least 13.5 credits of social science courses must also be completed.
The second component of this program is the major curriculum. This is by far the largest portion of the degree, with 125.5 quarter credits required. This includes basic studies in fields such as:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement Operations
- Criminology
- Substance Abuse
- Court Procedures and Evidence
Other lower-division courses focus on areas like Juvenile Justice, Corrections, and Investigative Techniques. Classes focusing on Organization and Administration, Criminal Investigations, and Criminal Justice Internship are further required.
You must complete a wide range of upper-division major courses as well. For example, you’ll take a course entitled Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice that analyzes gender, race, religion, and other diversity issues as they pertain to policing, the courts, and corrections. As another example, Ethics in Crime and Justice explores the dilemmas and problems you might face as a criminal justice professional. You’ll focus specifically on issues related to the conduct of correctional officers, police officers, and courtroom conduct.
Other required courses focus on highly specific applications of criminal justice. For example, you’ll take a Media and Crime class to explore the power of the media in shaping public opinion of crime. You’ll also take a course in Forensic Science, in which you’ll learn basic techniques used by forensic technicians for collecting and analyzing evidence.
Furthermore, you’re required to complete classes in the following areas:
- Criminal Justice Responses to Mental Illness
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Procedures
- Patterns of Criminal Behavior
- Community Corrections
An internship is also available. Completing an internship offers numerous advantages, from on-the-job experience to networking opportunities. What’s more, completing an internship allows you to apply what you learn in this program in the real world. And since you’ll work under the direction of a field supervisor, you’ll have an experienced professional to provide guidance for your growth as a criminal justice worker.
Beyond these required criminal justice classes, you must also take 13.5 credits of electives. These courses must be in the criminal justice field and must be different from the courses you’re required to take as part of the major core curriculum.
As a result of your studies in this program, you can pursue many different criminal justice careers. Past graduates have gone on to work in forensics, victim advocacy, and community corrections. Others have become law enforcement officers, juvenile probation agents, and criminal investigators.
The admissions requirements for first-year students are as follows:
- Complete the application for admission linked above.
- Pay a $50 application fee.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
East Tennessee State University
Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology
If it’s an advanced degree you’re after, the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology from East Tennessee State University might be a good fit. The program requires the completion of 36 credits, which typically requires two years of full-time studies to complete. However, you can take more time to finish the degree if you need to.
This program combines studies of criminal justice and criminology. As such, you’ll investigate the structure and function of the criminal justice system and explore theories that seek to explain why crime exists in the first place. These themes are consistent throughout the program and through all classes.
For example, you’ll take a Criminological Theory course that explores the primary theories of crime, including strain theory, social control theory, and social learning theory. You’ll also discuss modern theories that seek to explain the causation of crime, such as critical theory and life-course theory.
Another required course explores the American corrections system. On the one hand, you’ll examine the policies and goals of modern correctional systems. On the other hand, you’ll analyze the effectiveness of these systems in managing offender populations and facilitating rehabilitation of offenders.
The two courses discussed above are part of the program’s core requirements. Other core courses include the following:
- American Policing
- Seminar in Courts
- Research Design in Criminology
- Quantitative Methods in Criminology
Regarding the elective component of this program, you can choose between two options: thesis and non-thesis. The thesis option requires you to complete four elective courses, each of which must be approved by your advisor. The final three credits are fulfilled by the thesis, which is a detailed research paper that not only explores a key area of criminal justice but also demonstrates your ability to conduct research, develop original thoughts, and communicate your findings effectively.
The non-thesis option requires you to complete 18 elective credits. Again, you can choose what courses to take to fulfill this requirement, but each course must be approved by your advisor ahead of time. Around a dozen approved electives are available in areas such as:
- Crime and Public Policy
- Victimology
- Organized and White-Collar Crime
- Issues in Correctional Treatment
- Juvenile Justice
You can also participate in a three-credit criminal justice internship if you want to gain valuable on-the-job experience prior to graduating. An additional option is to enroll in an independent study class, which enables you to select a topic or problem in the criminal justice field and spend a semester studying it, researching it, and devising a detailed report of your findings.
In either case, you’ll gain valuable experience and hone your skills relating to written and verbal communications, problem-solving, and social research. You can also use your experiences in an internship or independent study course to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills for post-graduate jobs.
You must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Complete the application for admission linked above.
- Pay a $55 application fee.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from references who can attest to your academic potential.
- Provide a 3-5 page personal essay in which you discuss your academic training and career experiences, as well as the reasons you wish to pursue this degree.
Grand Canyon University
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice
When you enroll in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Grand Canyon University, you’ll focus on law enforcement. This includes studying trends in policing, crime analysis, and strategic planning. You’ll also examine risk management in policing, crime prevention programs, and current crime trends.
To complete this degree, you need to earn 38 credits. You have the option to transfer up to one-third of these credits from previous coursework, which can accelerate your completion of the degree.
The courses at Grand Canyon are eight weeks in duration. The fast-paced nature of the program means you take fewer courses concurrently, which helps manage your workload. In total, you’ll complete ten core courses.
For instance, in the Criminal Behavior Analysis course, you’ll analyze the relationship between psychology and criminal justice, discussing topics such as criminal profiling and crisis intervention.
You must also take Advanced Crime Analysis, where you’ll learn to identify crime patterns and enhance crime response and prevention strategies.
Not all courses are focused strictly on criminal behavior. In the Organizational Behavior and Leadership course, you’ll learn about leadership values in law enforcement, conflict management, and organizational development.
Additional courses include:
- Exploration of Law and Public Policy
- Ethics and Decision-Making
- Strategic Analysis and Organizational Planning
- Crime Prevention and Public Relations
Another requirement is the Research Methods course, where you’ll learn about social research methodologies, including how to conduct statistical analyses and design research programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
All coursework is available online through the university’s digital learning platform, allowing you to engage in studies from any location with internet access. You’ll interact with professors and peers in a dynamic online environment, participating in discussions and group projects.
If you find this graduate program aligns with your educational goals, you can apply online at Grand Canyon University without an application fee. The university processes applications quickly, providing a study plan within 24 business hours. Admission requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8.
- Submission of GMAT or GRE scores may be necessary if your GPA is below the requirement.
- Provision of official transcripts from all attended institutions.
Does a Criminal Justice Degree Require a Lot of Math?
A degree in criminal justice generally does not require an extensive amount of math. However, some mathematical proficiency is necessary, primarily in the following areas:
- Statistics: Most criminal justice programs include coursework in statistics. Understanding statistics is essential for analyzing crime data, understanding research findings, and making evidence-based decisions in the field.
- Research Methods: Courses on research methods often include elements of quantitative analysis, which involves some mathematical skills. This is important for conducting and evaluating criminal justice research.
- General Education Requirements: Like most bachelor’s degrees, a criminal justice program will include general education courses, which typically involve some level of math. These might include basic algebra or other foundational math courses.
- Specific Courses: Certain specializations or courses within the criminal justice field may require more math. For example, forensic science tracks might include more intensive math requirements related to the analysis of physical evidence.
In short, while a criminal justice degree does involve some math, it is not typically math-intensive. The primary focus is on statistics and quantitative analysis, essential for understanding and conducting research within the field.
Can You Do Cyber Security With a Criminal Justice Degree?
Yes, you can pursue a career in cybersecurity with a criminal justice degree, although additional education or certifications might be beneficial. A criminal justice degree provides a strong foundation in understanding laws, ethics, and investigative techniques, which are valuable in the cybersecurity field. Here are some ways to transition into cybersecurity:
Understanding the Connection
- Overlap in Skills: Both fields require skills in investigation, analysis, and understanding of legal and ethical issues.
- Focus on Cybercrime: Many criminal justice programs offer courses or specializations in cybercrime, which directly relate to cybersecurity.
Additional Education and Certifications
- Certifications: Obtaining certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or CompTIA Security+ can enhance your qualifications.
- Courses and Degrees: Enrolling in specific cybersecurity courses or pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity can provide the technical knowledge needed.
Career Pathways
- Cybercrime Investigator: With a background in criminal justice, you can specialize in investigating cybercrimes, such as hacking, fraud, and identity theft.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Roles in compliance ensure that organizations adhere to laws and regulations related to cybersecurity.
- Security Analyst: With additional technical training, you can work as a security analyst, focusing on protecting an organization’s computer systems and networks.
Gaining Experience
- Internships and Entry-Level Positions: Seek internships or entry-level positions in cybersecurity to gain practical experience.
- Networking: Join professional organizations and attend industry conferences to build connections and stay updated on the latest trends and opportunities in cybersecurity.
Combining Skills
Combining your knowledge of criminal justice with technical skills in cybersecurity can make you a valuable asset in fields such as law enforcement, corporate security, and government agencies.