Criminal Justice
Degree level:
Bachelor's
Have you always had a strong belief in justice?
If so, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will prepare you with the skills you’ll need to put your beliefs into action. In this program, you’ll develop social awareness, a strong knowledge base and the technological skills required to succeed in an entry-level position in today’s criminal justice environment. Your practical, experience-based education will cover topics that include criminology, criminal procedure, criminal investigation, juvenile justice, victimology and ethics in criminal justice—giving you a well-rounded understanding of criminal justice methods, techniques and technologies. Your coursework also includes an internship program that will give you the real-world experience you’ll need to enter the job force. Busy schedule? Consider earning a criminal justice online degree from Westwood College and you'll be able to set your own schedule. Once you graduate, you will be fully prepared to begin your career as an investigator, corrections officer, children’s advocate or youth care counselor.¹ And with your help, justice will prevail.
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Our graduates receive hands-on, career-focused training. Don't wait another day; start transforming your life into the one you've always wanted.
Did You Know?
- Our accelerated approach can help you earn your bachelor’s degree in as little as 3 years.
¹State and local restrictions may apply. Additional training may be required.
Westwood's flexible learning options
Earn your degree on your schedule!
This program is just one of the many offered at our online campus. Click here to see a complete list of online degree programs.
Criminal Justice Course Information
A criminal justice degree opens up a world of possibilities. Course topics include:
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Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of current issues, concepts, philosophies and theories in the field of criminal justice
- Explain and discuss various theories of crime causation and societal response, and the techniques of prevention and treatment of crime
- Apply constitutional principles that protect the rights of citizens and regulate criminal justice agencies
- Identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish a lawful arrest and search, proper judicial procedures and the admissibility of evidence
- Explain principles of effective law enforcement and security administration
- Articulate the role of corrections in the criminal justice system
- Apply the knowledge of ethical principles with the high standards expected of criminal justice practitioners
Locations offering the bachelor's degree in
Criminal Justice
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Online California Colorado |
Georgia Illinois Virginia
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Request More Information
Our graduates receive hands-on, career-focused training. Don't wait another day; start transforming your life into the one you've always wanted.
Did You Know?
- Our accelerated approach can help you earn your bachelor’s degree in as little as 3 years.
Where could your Criminal Justice degree take you?
Take a look at a few of the career paths that might be yours with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westwood College.¹
Corrections Officer²
- Oversee individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial orwho have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory or penitentiary
- Maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults and escapes
Children’s Advocate
- Work with families, center staff and center directors to identify all needs of assigned children and families, including special needs of children
- Work as a team with center director, home visitor(s), staff and community resources to plan and implement all required screenings and evaluations of children, including health and disabilities
Youth Care Counselor
- Work with children to provide supervision, observation and interaction in order to observe and affect changes in their social behavior
- Act as a role model and demonstrate pro-social behaviors and attitudes while providing guidance and instruction to students who are working to develop healthier decision-making, emotion management and relationship skills
Request More Information
Our graduates receive hands-on, career-focused training. Don't wait another day; start transforming your life into the one you've always wanted.
Did You Know?
- Our accelerated approach can help you earn your bachelor’s degree in as little as 3 years.
¹State and local restrictions may apply. Additional training may be required.
²Westwood does not certify graduates in this field. Graduates wishing to attain certification must take and pass any applicable exams/tests.
Westwood has prepared our criminal justice graduates for careers with employers such as:
CALIFORNIA REGION*
| Aiming High Treatment Center | Guardsmark, Inc. |
| Anaheim School District | Honda Center |
| Andrews International Security | Los Angeles County Superior Court |
| Behavioral Systems Southwest | Los Angeles Sheriff's Department |
| Brinks | Optimist Children and Family Services |
| Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters | Orange County Probation Department |
| Children's Home Society of California | Orange County Probation Department |
| Community Service Programs, Inc. | Securitas Security Services |
| Federal Bureau of Prisons | Store Detective Association |
| Gangs Alternatives Program | Transportation Security Administration |
COLORADO REGION*
| AlliedBarton Security | Intervention Community Corrections Services |
| Avalon Correctional Services | Jefferson County Juvenile Assessment Center |
| City and County of Denver | Securitas Security Services |
| Denver Public Schools | Colorado Marvin W. Foote Youth Services |
| Department of Social Services | Tennyson Center for Children |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Twentieth Judicial District Probation Department |
ILLINOIS REGION*
| ACS Child Support | Diamond Detective Agency |
| Addison Police | Illinois Department of Corrections |
| Allied Barton Security Services | Kane County Sheriff's Department |
| AON Corporation | Metropolitan Family Services |
| Chicago Crime Commission | Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court |
| Chicago Transit Authority | Safer Foundation |
| Consider It Done Investigation Services | Securitas Security Services |
| Covenant Aviation Security |
ONLINE CAMPUS*
| Arbor Education and Training | Houston Policy Academy |
| DCF - Child Protective Investigations | Target Corporation |
| Department of Homeland Security (CA) | Thornton Police Department (CO) |
| Harrah's Casino | Training, Employment and Community Help, Inc. |
*Westwood College must track the initial employers of its graduates for regulatory and accreditation purposes. This list is taken from a compilation of employers of Westwood College graduates from each region from June 2007 to June 2008. This is not intended to represent an endorsement of Westwood College by the listed employers.
Donette Gordon
Faculty - School of Justice and School of Technology
Annandale Satellite Campus
Ken Howard
Faculty - School of Business and School of Technology
Annandale Satellite Campus
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