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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 

Learn to change lives, make communities safer, and gain a better financial footing for your family. 

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SNU Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice Student

Program Overview

Working in criminal justice is more than a career. It’s a calling. Those employed in any capacity of law enforcement take on the vital job of serving others and keeping their communities safe. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can prepare you for a variety of roles. While most people outside of the field may expect graduates to pursue careers as police officers, there are a wide variety of career options available. 

Whether you want to follow in your hero’s footsteps or build an exciting, active career, SNU can help set you on the right path. Earn a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at SNU by attending class completely online or only one night a week in Tulsa on a schedule designed for working adults. Classes are taught by experts in the field, and you’ll learn about the societal implications of law enforcement, writing, evidence, investigations, and more. Plus, at SNU, you can earn up to 30 hours of college credit for what you already know, completely free, expediting your path to graduation.

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5
week course format
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2
start dates per year
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Graduate in as few as
17 months
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36
total credit hours
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$450
per credit hour
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Learn entirely online

How it Works

Earning a degree while working full time or raising a family has never been more possible. Here’s why adult students are thriving and reaching their goals at SNU:

  • Classes take place  entirely online.
  • Students focus on one class at a time to ensure true mastery and prevent overwhelm.
  • You can earn up to 30 hours of college credit for what you already know.
  • Earn up to 9 hours of college credit from field-specific credentials, certifications, or other professional development
  • Students study alongside other adults in similar stages of life.
  • Instructors with vast amounts of industry experience guide students through courses.
  • Textbooks are delivered directly to your door at the beginning of each class.
  • A dedicated student success advisor guides students through the duration of your studies.
colleagues
  • "Because of my degree, I can continue my education to earn a Master’s. This is al in an effort to be prepared to start a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That is my dream! And SNU has made it possible!"
    Wenella Johnson
    B.S. Criminal Justice
  • "I have multiple paths I can take with my degree whether it be the civilian sector or in my military career."
    Arielle Jackson
    B.S. Criminal Justice
    graduation-hats-ty-page-inqury

    Courses

    This degree prepares students for more than the practical duties of their future career—it prepares them to enter the field as an insightful, well-rounded individual ready to make a difference. For an in depth understanding of learning outcomes, review the courses and descriptions below. 

    PHILOSOPHIES AND FOUNDATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Credit hours: 3
    Participants will explore their personal life philosophies in relation to public service and law enforcement. In addition, foundational and historical concepts of law enforcement will be learned and compared with contemporary concepts. Historical and developing trends in a global context will be discussed and contrasted by learners in this course.

    PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Credit hours: 3
    This course examines adult life experiences as a foundation for experiential learning. By reflecting on the concepts of adult development theories and an individual’s personal life experiences, the course will explore how those factors influence and help individuals to interpret life situations and circumstances in terms of relationships, personal decision-making and future applications. The purpose of this module is to give learners the opportunity to learn how to critically evaluate life-learning experiences. The evaluation of life learning experiences through critical reflection is foundational to the process of adult learning. As adult learners understand their life experiences objectively, they will be able to gain clarity about their past and be able to know how to apply their learning to present and future learning experiences.

    MENTAL HEALTH & SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Credit hours: 3
    This course examines the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Learners will explore the prevalence of mental health issues and the interactions with criminal justice practice. They will also examine the role of law enforcement professionals within American society, emphasizing history, public perceptions, administration, organizational culture, and ethics. This course includes exploration of on-the-job experiences that can affect the mental health of criminal justice personnel, victims, victim families, and perpetrators of crime. Included also is a survey of stress management techniques as well as consideration of the effects of trauma and compassion fatigue. Work on the Comprehensive Paper will begin in this course and continue through to program conclusion.

    BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES IN WESTERN CULTURE

    Credit hours: 3
    This course reflects the mission statement and the goals of Southern Nazarene University. It is committed to fostering increased awareness of the Bible which is foundational to understanding Western culture and history. The three major western faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – are rooted within the Holy Scriptures. The course content and format are not designated to intimidate, indoctrinate, or to evangelize. The course is designed to set the Bible in its historical and literary context. The Biblical heritage will then provide you with rich resources to creatively understand your faith in the contemporary world.

    DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE

    Credit hours: 3
    This course examines how cultural and individual human differences intersect with the criminal justice system. The course will explore the interaction of the criminal justice system with issues of race, gender, age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, physical and mental disabilities, culture, religion, and other human differences. The focus will be on diversity, inclusion, equity and justice, and how human differences and diverse intersections of identities impact all people within the criminal justice system, including victims, offenders, and service providers and how the criminal justice system responds to and/or should respond to human differences, with an emphasis on providing cultural responsiveness and restorative hope and equity for social justice within the criminal justice systems and structures.

    CRIMINAL LAW AND UNITED STATES COURT SYSTEM

    Credit hours: 3
    An important component of law enforcement professional development is knowledge of the complex tenets of criminal law and the court system in this country. This course will delve into the historical and contextual aspects of criminal law, criminal procedures, and contemporary statutory codes. Learners will not only acquire knowledge, but will apply concepts in many areas such as legal procedures, judicial policymaking, legal expressions, due process, and court testimony. Roles of law enforcement, district attorneys, attorneys, court system operations, and other aspects of the criminal justice process will be.

    FORENSIC EVIDENCE AND CRIME SCENE PROCESSING

    Credit hours: 3
    Discovery and application of key forensics and evidence collection and security concepts are at the core of this course. Learners will experience best practices in evidence detection, collection, preservation, documentation, recording, and integrity along with holistic crime scene processing techniques. The learner will be able to identify key forensic definitions, terminology, and best practices as it pertains to securing any supporting evidence of an investigation; and ensuring an accurate and thorough forensic process for criminal and/or civil charges. The learner will also learn the best practices in management and leverage of resources to aid in the security of evidence at a crime scene and throughout the investigative process. Learners will explore constitutional and pertinent legal guides when handling and investigating cases. The methodology and strategy used to facilitate this course will come by way of professional dialogue, content expert speakers, lectures, and field experience to participants who wish to purse a career (or desire to have working knowledge) in forensic science, and to provide criminal justice majors with an education that applies forensic science to the criminal investigation.

    INVESTIGATIONS, INTERROGATIONS, AND INTERVIEW

    Credit hours: 3
    Discovery and application of key skills and best practices for investigations, interrogations, and interviews is at the core of this course. Learners will experience foundational best practices for managing, accepting, initiating and closing cases. The learner will be able to identify key case management and investigative definitions, terminology, and best practices as it pertains to ethically interviewing, interrogating, and listening for key data to support cases; and ensuring an accurate and thorough investigative process for criminal and/or civil charges. The learner will also learn the best practice in management and leverage of resources to aid in the identification and security of witnesses and other parties to the investigation process. Learners will explore constitutional and pertinent legal guides when handling and investigating cases. The methodology and strategy used to facilitate this course will become by way of professional dialogue, content experts speakers, lectures, and labs to participants who wish to pursue a career (or desire to have a working knowledge) in forensic science, and to provide criminal justice majors with an education that applies forensic science to the criminal investigation.

    TECHNICAL AND REPORT WRITING

    Credit hours: 3
    Writing clear, concise reports is one hallmark of any justice professional’s job. This course equips learners with the necessary skills to compose comprehensive reports that withstand review, court testimony, auditing, and supervisory scrutiny. Writing using inclusive language, justice terminology, and a variety of professional communications will be examined and implemented. Learners will practice concepts learned in a variety of simulated situations.

    CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES

    Credit hours: 3
    This course introduces Criminal Justice and law enforcement professionals to the availability and potential uses of technology to access geographic, demographic, and other investigative information. Cybercrime, aerial image interpretation, predictive analytics, and other crime analysis topics, will be examined through a variety of methods using various intelligence-gathering and data preservation tools. Learners will have the opportunity to experience technological tools and collect and analyze the evidence obtained.

    LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Credit hours: 3
    Individual leadership styles, organizational communications and behaviors, restorative justice, servant leadership, and ethical leadership in global perspectives are basic tenets of this course and learners will be able to explain and apply tenet components. Learners will also be able to describe best practices, professional growth, and career development constructs and choose appropriate situations in which to exercise.

    CAPSTONE: PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND VALUES

    Credit hours: 3
    This course encourages learners to reflect on learning, relationships, personal and professional growth, and goals. Human beings are not merely professional, biological, or psychological machines. What makes us human and distinguishes us from other creatures are our moral and spiritual qualities. This module focuses on character, personal transitions, and accomplishments. It focuses on reflection regarding personal values, commitments, and an insight into the meaning of life. As the Capstone course for the Criminal Justice degree, learners will present highlights of their Comprehensive Paper to colleagues, professor, and a panel of law enforcement professionals.

    Upcoming Start Dates

    Wednesday, March 27, 2024
    Online
    Wednesday, September 18, 2024
    Online

    Meet the Program Director

    Tyoto D. Wardlow, MS

    Criminal Justice
    Tyoto Wardlow (Ty), program director for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, has worked in the field of Criminal Justice since 1994. He obtained his B.S. in Criminal Justice from Morris Brown College and an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University. 
    Tyoto has worked in every component of the criminal justice system and has a deep love and passion for the field.  
    Read MoreDown Red Angle
    Greetings SNU Criminal Justice Students/Applicants.
    I want to take this time to welcome you to the SNU family. Because of my education in Criminal Justice, I have been able to travel the world. I have a deep love and passion for the field, and I look forward to passing this passion on to future members of the field. I look forward to meeting you and taking this journey to change the world with you. Feel free to contact me anytime, I will always make myself available to you.  
    Read LessUp Red Angle

    Admissions

    Enrolling at SNU is a simple process. With rolling start dates, there’s no need to wait months at a time to begin your educational journey. Plus, our generous transfer policy, enhanced advanced standing, and prior learning assessment can shorten your path to graduation. Once you are ready, take the following steps:

    Step 1. Apply online at degrees.snu.edu/apply

    Step 2. Complete your FAFSA at fafsa.gov using school code 003149

    Step 3. Send official transcripts from any colleges you have attended to SNU at pgsadmissions@snu.edu or ATTN: SNU PGS Admissions, Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008.

    You will be contacted regarding any supporting materials we may need. Upon acceptance, your student success advisor will help you enroll and prepare for success as an adult student at SNU.

    Locations

    Online

    Online classes are specially
    designed for professional &
    graduate studies.
    Phone: +1 (405) 491-6332
    pgs@snu.edu

    Program Resources

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