Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice
Overview
Welcome to Kentucky State University’s online Criminal Justice program, where we prepare the next generation of professionals for success in law enforcement, corrections, and the judicial system. Our comprehensive curriculum equips students with the skills needed for roles in probation, victim advocacy, court administration, and more.
Criminal justice is more than a career—it’s a chance to make a difference. Graduates from our program become advocates for justice, fairness, and public safety, promoting positive change in their communities. Join us and embrace the opportunity to serve, protect, and contribute to a safer world.
Tuition and Fees:
$350
per credit hour
Efficient Completion:
1-4 years*
*depending on transfer credits
and your course load
Financial Aid
Kentucky State University's Office of Financial Aid coordinates federal, state, institutional, and external financial aid programs to ensure equitable and efficient use of available funding.
Our mission is to support and advocate for students, providing guidance on financial assistance to enhance their success in higher education.
Our vision is to remove financial barriers by offering resources with a focus on CARE, DIVERSITY, GUIDANCE, ACCESS, and EFFICIENCY. While financial aid helps cover educational costs, it typically does not fully fund tuition.
Financial Aid Services
FAFSA Help
Reviewing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and resolving any database matches or other criteria for participating in the student aid programs
Eligibility
Assessing eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other aid awards
Awards Management
Send award notifications and make awards adjustments based on additional resources
or due to enrollment status changes.
Advising
Advising on next step actions for application process, disbursement of aid, and other special circumstances via in-person, telephone, and email contacts.
Outreach
Participation in outreach activities: orientation, financial aid workshops, etc.
Financial Aid is available
We're here to help you through the process! Contact the Financial Aid office for more
information.
Contact KSU Financial Aid
Career Outlook
Preparation for Success with a Degree in Criminal Justice
A degree in Criminal Justice serves as a robust platform for students aiming to delve into various specialized fields within the criminal justice system. This educational path not only prepares graduates for immediate employment but also lays the groundwork for advanced studies, leading to a multitude of career opportunities and professional growth.
Unlocking Opportunities
Upon completing a Criminal Justice degree, graduates are well-equipped to pursue a range of job roles across different sectors. These include:
- Sworn law enforcement positions such as police officers at state, county, or local
levels, as well as roles within federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service,
US Marshals, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement, many of which have specialized
crime scene investigation units.
- Civilian roles in corrections, the legal system, juvenile justice, and academia, offering a variety of non-sworn career paths.
- Specialized positions such as Crime Scene Investigators, Criminal Investigators, Private Detectives, Fish and Game Wardens, Crime Victims Service Providers, Child Protective Services Officers, and Fraud Investigators - U.S. Postal Inspectors.
Furthermore, earning a degree in criminal justice provides an excellent foundation for furthering your education in Forensic Science or pursuing a career in law.
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Admissions
Already have college credits?
Transfer students who have earned 24 or more college-level transferable credit hours must:
- Have a minimum cumulative college level GPA of 2.0 from a regionally accredited institution.
- Submit official transcript(s) from each college or university that have been attended.
Transfer students who have earned less than 24 college-level transferable credit hours must:
- Meet the same requirements as the first-time freshman and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA on college level transferable coursework completed from a regionally accredited institution
Kentucky State University’s Excel Program is designed to provide First-time Freshman students with an opportunity to attend and matriculate through a four-year institution despite not meeting traditional admissions requirements.
Excel Students are afforded the opportunity to earn both their Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees by successfully completing 60 hours (two years) and receiving their Associate’s Degree and continuing to complete their remaining 60 hours (two years) and receive their Bachelor’s degree . Students admitted to the Excel Program have been identified as meeting the secondary minimum admissions standards for public four year institutions set forth by the Council on Postsecondary Education (Minimum unweighted GPA of 2.0 – 2.49 on a 4pt scale).
- Unweighted cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater
- Be eligible to return to the institution from which they are transferring, good academic standing.
- Submit an official transcript(s) from all the universities/colleges that have been attended.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with the graduation date posted.
Admission Process
1
Complete Application
2
Transcripts
3
Discover Funding
4
Enroll in Classes
Major Courses and Requirements
- Introduction to Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Introduction to Criminal Law - Credit Hours: 3
- Juvenile Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Law Enforcement - Credit Hours: 3
- Private Security - Credit Hours: 3
- Criminal Investigations - Credit Hours: 3
- Courts - Credit Hours: 3
- Corrections - Credit Hours: 3
- Communications Relations Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Theories Crime & Delinquency - Credit Hours: 3
- Principles of Victimology - Credit Hours: 3
- Comparative Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Criminal Justice Ethics - Credit Hours: 3
- Criminal Justice Administration - Credit Hours: 3
- Seminar in Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Criminal Justice Internship - Credit Hours: 3
- Criminal Justice Research Methods - Credit Hours: 3
- Statistics for Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3
- Special Topic in Criminal Justice - Credit Hours: 3