Program Overview
Looking to get your start in criminal justice? At Peru State Online, we offer a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice 100% online with three concentration options:
- Administration
- Legal Studies
- Counseling
Our program will allow you to grow your leadership, critical thinking, and decision-making skills as you gain in-depth knowledge of law enforcement, corrections, courts, juvenile justice, criminology, victimology, research methods to study crime and criminal and abnormal behavior, and society’s response to these dynamics.
Whether you're looking to advance your career in law enforcement, pursue a career in the legal profession, or make a difference in the lives of individuals affected by the criminal justice system, Peru State Online is committed to providing you with the education and resources you need to achieve your goals. Explore our online degree programs today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in criminal justice.
Why Apply?
If you have a passion for justice and law, then a career in criminal justice can be a rewarding choice for you. Graduates of our bachelor’s in criminal justice program enjoy many benefits, including:
Diverse job opportunities. With a bachelor’s in criminal justice, you can pursue a wide range of careers in the criminal justice system, from law enforcement to corrections to the courts. Whether your interests lie in solving crimes, protecting property, providing social services or even creating or upholding laws, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help you start on your path. Exciting work. Criminal justice work is exciting. Occupations in this field involve working with all kinds of people and may take you to all sorts of interesting places, such as crime scenes, police stations, prisons and courtrooms, as you protect and serve the people in your communities.
Upward mobility. The criminal justice field offers ample opportunities for promotions and salary increases whether you wish to climb the ladder in a single discipline or leverage your skills to branch out into other roles. And if you think you might like to one day take your education further and pursue an advanced degree — for example, to qualify for senior leadership positions or roles in teaching or research — then a bachelor’s in criminal justice can be a solid foundation on which to build.
The ability to make a difference. A career in criminal justice is a great way to give back and help make the world a better place. The field is full of jobs that offer opportunities to protect people and property, help victims of crime, rehabilitate offenders and pursue justice for society.
Program Type: Major, Minor
Program Level: Undergraduate
Degree: Bachelor of Science
School: School of Professional Studies
Program Location: On-Campus, Online
Program Study Mode: Full-time, Online
Program Duration: 4 Years
Why Earn a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree?
In our Bachelor's in Criminal Justice program, you'll gain the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to launch a rewarding career in various sectors such as law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, social services, security, private police, courts, and beyond.
Throughout your studies, you'll delve into the intricacies of the criminal justice system, mastering essential functions and procedures crucial to your future role. From crafting detailed incident reports to conducting in-depth research on criminal justice topics, analyzing court cases, and devising effective solutions for emergency scenarios, you'll be equipped with a comprehensive skill set tailored for success in the field.
By the time you graduate from our program, you'll emerge as a competent and confident criminal justice professional prepared to safeguard communities, serve with integrity, and make a positive impact on the lives of those you encounter.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice 100% online
At Peru State College Online, the online criminal justice courses throughout the 120-credit-hour program are taught by renowned faculty, with real-world, criminal justice experience themselves.
Our faculty members have worked or work in policing, corrections, parole and probation, and make it their priority to stay on top of current criminal justice and administrative practices. Through our continually refreshed curriculum, you are ensured solid knowledge essential to launching or enhancing your career.
Rest assured, your instructors are experts in online teaching, as well, and strive for a smooth, interactive experience for you and your classmates. By keeping the online classroom smaller than you would typically find with a physical campus, the faculty is able to respond quicker, and focus on meaningful interaction with students one-on-one and as a group.
Our online testing practices are also quality-designed to help you perform at your best, with proctored exams giving way to a more personalized, less stressful experience.
Getting excited about your degree path with us? Our online criminal justice courses form the basis of a quality education designed for your ultimate success.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
If you have a passion for justice and law, then a career in criminal justice can be a rewarding choice for you. Graduates of our bachelor’s in criminal justice program enjoy many benefits, including:
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With a bachelor’s in criminal justice, you can pursue a wide range of careers in the criminal justice system, from law enforcement to corrections to the courts. Whether your interests lie in solving crimes, protecting property, providing social services or even creating or upholding laws, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help you start on your path.
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Criminal justice work is exciting. Occupations in this field involve working with all kinds of people and may take you to all sorts of interesting places, such as crime scenes, police stations, prisons and courtrooms, as you protect and serve the people in your communities.
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The criminal justice field offers ample opportunities for promotions and salary increases whether you wish to climb the ladder in a single discipline or leverage your skills to branch out into other roles. And if you think you might like to one day take your education further and pursue an advanced degree — for example, to qualify for senior leadership positions or roles in teaching or research — then a bachelor’s in criminal justice can be a solid foundation on which to build.
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A career in criminal justice is a great way to give back and help make the world a better place. The field is full of jobs that offer opportunities to protect people and property, help victims of crime, rehabilitate offenders and pursue justice for society.
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Careers
Students who complete a criminal justice degree at Peru State College are prepared to pursue careers such as:
- Police officer
- Deputy sheriff
- State trooper
- Probation/parole/division officer
- Correctional officer
- Border patrol officer
- Federal agent
- Investigator/Detective
- Private security officer
- Child abuse/neglect investigator
- Drug and alcohol specialist (PLADC)
- Case worker
- Advocate
- Dispatcher
- Court clerk
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Job Outlook
Employment of protective service operations is projected to grow 2% from 2021 to 2031, resulting in about 72,600 new jobs over the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite slower job growth, employment opportunities will remain high in this sector due to the need to replace workers who change occupations or retire. Altogether, growth and replacement needs are projected to result in a robust 421,500 total job openings each year.
Typical Salaries for Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Graduates
A bachelor’s in criminal justice degree from Peru State College can prepare you for a multitude of careers with median annual salaries like these:
| Corrections Officer $47,920* |
Private Investigator $59,380* |
Probation Officer $60,250* |
| Police Officer or Detective $66,020* |
Criminal Investigator $67,000** |
Federal Agent $93,970* |
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Frequently Asked Questions
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Completing your bachelor’s in criminal justice degree at Peru State College can help you qualify for roles in law enforcement, social services, corrections and probation, and more. Popular careers for our criminal justice graduates include:
- Police officer/detective
- Deputy sheriff
- Probation/parole officer
- Correctional officer
- Dispatcher
- Case worker
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The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from a U.S. higher education institution was about $63,000 as of February 2023, according to Payscale.
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Most students complete our bachelor’s in criminal justice program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner.
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The bachelor’s in criminal justice program at Peru State College offers a choice of three concentrations: Justice Administration, Justice Counseling and Legal Studies. Each concentration is uniquely designed to help you prepare for a range of potential careers, allowing you to maximize your personal and professional satisfaction as you make a lasting impact on people and communities.
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A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can be the credential you need to qualify for exciting and rewarding careers ranging from police work to private investigations to security, corrections and human services. These occupations frequently come with good salaries, benefits and job security, all while allowing you to make a difference in your communities through meaningful and fulfilling work.
