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On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.
Get a Head Start on Your Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
You can get transfer credits reviewed in one business day (on average) and transfer your credits to save time and money. Take advantage of our online Criminal Justice degree Bachelor Completer entrance pathway to save time and money by transferring in your Associate's degree or conferred credits.
With your Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science degree, you can pursue work throughout the justice and corrections systems—which means a wide variety of paths are open to you.1 Common career paths for graduates with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice include:
Crime victims advocate
Security manager
Corporate security supervisor
Why Pursue a Career in Criminal Justice at Rasmussen University?
We’re here to help you protect and serve your community at a higher level.
Our online criminal justice courses are built to help you balance work and life while you learn and advance in our programs.
You’ll work with instructors who bring years of criminal justice experience and are committed to your success.
This program was designed and reviewed by industry experts with experience at organizations such as the FBI, DEA, United States Secret Services and Homeland Security.2
The Criminal Justice program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any states. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional license.1
What Do Criminal Justice Courses Look Like?
You’ll learn through live interactive sessions with faculty and peers, authentic assessments of what you know, and real-world projects like analyzing a real interrogation video.
Examines the true picture and statistics of minority representation at every point in the criminal justice process, from point of contact with the police to incarceration and the death penalty.
Includes a comprehensive examination of unbiased racial and ethnic theories, and research and practice of behavior and victimization affecting the criminal justice system.
Examine unique responses from the perspective of law enforcement and the courts, as well as corrections as the importance of collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches is studied.
Analyze emerging trends and challenges to addressing mental health and substance abuse issues in the criminal justice system.
What Skills Will I Gain?
Serve with integrity
Understand and appropriately act based on your knowledge of ethical challenges, the use of power, the discretion and responsibility to act and the role of personal character in service professions.
Understand crime and its impacts
Our criminal justice programs will give you the skills needed for recognizing and addressing criminal behavior, crime prevention, complex ethical situations, criminal theories, relationships with diverse populations and the behavior and victimization affecting the criminal justice system.
Apply criminal justice best practices
Apply an advanced knowledge of the criminal justice field and an understanding of the theory and practice of criminal justice procedures and research methods.
Know the impact of mental health and substance abuse
Evaluate and analyze the intersection of mental health and substance abuse and how together they impact the criminal justice system.
Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree
Rasmussen University courses are fully online and rich in interactive learning—to give you more control and balance in your life. Plus, we offer support on the ground at 23 campuses.
Speed and Cost Savings
Earn your Bachelor’s in as few as 18 months when transferring in your Associate's degree or previous college credits.3 Self-directed assessments can save even more time and money.
Plus, transferable skills that take you farther.
Along with gaining justice-related expertise, you’ll grow in critical thinking, digital fluency, information literacy, communication and ethics and professional responsibility.
9 Careers in Criminal Justice for Degree Holders to Consider
Not sure what you can do with a Criminal Justice degree? The field goes further than roles as a police officer and we’ve done the research to compile the wide variety of careers available to those with the right education.
Show that you have already achieved the skills for a course and don't need to take it. Your potential savings could be around $8,500!4
Transfer Credits
No matter your education background, you can transfer your conferred Associate’s degree or 91 credits to finish your Bachelor’s in as few as 18 months.3
Education Built for Working Adults
Help Paying for College
An admissions representative can help you go over options including military grants, corporate grants, loans and other grants, and scholarship opportunities.
Fully Online
You really don’t need to go very far to learn. Do it at your pace, where you work best.
Affordable Education
Tuition & Savings
Do the Math:
Full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months for as low as an estimated $35,505.3
$332 tuition per full-time credit x 90 total credits _______________________ $29,880 total full-time tuition + $5,625 total fees _______________________ $35,505 full-time estimated total tuition and fees
Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions representative and learn how our online Criminal Justice program is designed to be more affordable with Knowledge Credit® through transfer credits, self-directed assessments, and military training or professional certification. Plus, save more with grants, scholarship opportunities, and military grants for those who qualify. Find more about:
To be considered for admission, students must hold a conferred Associate’s degree from an accredited institution as recognized by the Department of Education, or students must have successfully completed 60 quarter or 40 semester credits with a grade of C- or higher.
You can complete the program in as few as 36 months with no previous experience or credits—or in as few as 18 months when transferring in your Associate’s degree or previous college credits.3
The online courses are designed and taught by experts in the field ready to share their knowledge. They’re available to help with questions you have—and there’s also other online support, including library and learning services, and 24/7 technical support.
Our online programs are available nationally, and we offer on-the-ground support at 20 campuses in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
The Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree and Criminal Justice Associate’s degree programs have not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and the programs do not lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. Additional education, training, experience, and/or other eligibility criteria may apply.
In Minnesota, the Criminal Justice Associate’s degree program does not meet the standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for persons who seek employment as a peace officer.
2019 Criminal Justice Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees Curriculum Summit included industry experts from various organizations who designed and reviewed the curriculum, collected February, 2020.
Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term. Program availability varies by state. Please see Rasmussen University catalog for details.
24 credits in self-directed assessments at $332 per credit = $7,968. Save an additional $300 on books (6 classes x $50 per class in books). Save $1,200 in course technology and resource fees (6 classes x $200 per class). Pay $149 for each of six self-directed assessments (6 classes x $149). Savings cost breakdown: $7,968 + $300 + $1,200 - $894 = $8,574 potential estimated total savings.
