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College of Psychology and Community Services:
BS in Criminal Justice

Walden University’s BS in Criminal Justice program is designed to help students gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in law enforcement, the justice system, corrections, homeland security, and social services. The program blends contemporary theory on the nature, extent, and cause of crime with the study of national and international criminal justice practices. Learning is supported through coursework and a final capstone project. The curriculum is based on the recommendations of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The program can help prepare students to become more effective social change agents in criminal justice organizations at the local, state, federal, or international levels.

Note: The BS in Criminal Justice program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

Note on Licensure

Walden’s BS in Criminal Justice program is not considered a Professional Peace Officer Education Program for the state of Minnesota and is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a peace officer, police officer, or other law enforcement officer in any state.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and trends in criminal justice.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to apply legal and ethical principles to the criminal justice system.
  3. Describe the structure, function, and interaction of key institutions in criminal justice.
  4. Discuss the patterns, typologies, and root causes of crime.
  5. Apply criminal justice concepts, processes, and practices to social justice and social change.

Course-Based Program

Degree Requirements

  • 181 total quarter credits
  • General education courses (46 credits)*
  • Core courses (45 credits)
  • Concentration courses (20 credits)
  • Elective courses (65 credits)
  • Capstone course (5 credits)

*Review the list of required general education courses by program.

Curriculum

General Education Courses (46 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either General Education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.

First Term Course

Core Courses (45 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Concentration Courses (20 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.

Electives (65 credits)

Choose 13 courses from General Education, BS in Criminal Justice, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Elective credits should total 65 to meet the program requirements. At least 10 credits must be at the 3000, 4000, or 5000 level. Students may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet your elective requirements.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Tempo Learning® Program

Tempo Learning® is Walden’s competency-based education modality, an alternative way of earning a Walden degree offered for some Walden programs. Instead of courses, the Walden Tempo Learning® program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the Tempo Learning® model by successfully passing competency assessments. A student must successfully achieve or master all competency assessments to graduate from the program.

Students earn the same Walden degree whether they choose the course-based or the competency-based modality.

Degree Requirements

  • 180 total quarter credits
  • General education courses (45 credits)
  • Core competencies (45 credits)
  • Concentration courses (20 credits)
  • Elective competencies (65 credits)
  • Capstone competencies (5 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (45 credits)

See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Note: A minimum of 60 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000- or 4000-level courses as either general education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.

Core Competencies (45 credits)

  • CJ1001 The Contemporary Criminal Justice System
    Analyze roles and responsibilities in an evolving criminal justice system.
  • CJ1002 Crime and Reporting
    Compare the perception of crime occurrence and crime reporting to address public misconceptions.
  • CJ1003 Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
    Differentiate between mental health issues and criminal behavior in criminal justice practice.
  • CJ1004 Diversion, Sentencing, and Corrections
    Distinguish between diversionary responses to crime, sentencing rationale, and corrections rationale.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • SG2001 Definitions and Typologies of Crime and Deviation
    Differentiate between crime and deviance.
  • SG2002 Social Control
    Analyze forms of social control and their relationships to society and criminal justice.
  • SG2003 Theory in Criminology
    Compare the application of the classical school and the positivist school of criminological theory in criminal justice practice.
  • SG2004 Community Approaches to Social Problems and Law Enforcement
    Develop a community-based law enforcement plan to address a community problem.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • JD2001 The Evolving Definition of Juvenile
    Analyze the qualifications for juvenile distinction in the criminal justice system.
  • JD2002 Factors That Influence Juvenile Delinquency
    Distinguish between biological, psychological, and sociological influences of juvenile delinquency.
  • JD2003 Working with Juvenile Offenders
    Apply strategies for working with juveniles based on adjudication decisions.
  • JD2004 The Criminal Courts and Juvenile Offenders
    Recommend an offender to either family and juvenile court or adult criminal court.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • LA2001 Criminal Responsibility Under Criminal Law
    Compare criminal responsibility in varied settings.
  • LA2002 Classifications of Defense
    Apply classifications of justification in criminal justice settings.
  • LA2003 Prosecutorial Roles
    Differentiate between prosecutorial roles and decisions in the criminal justice system.
  • LA2004 The Role of Jurisdiction and Precedent in Criminal Law
    Apply international, federal, state, or local law to criminal justice practice.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • CX3001 The History and Evolution of Corrections Systems
    Analyze the history and evolution of corrections systems.
  • CX3002 Corrections Philosophy and Theory
    Apply philosophical orientations, concepts, and theories of corrections practice.
  • CX3003 Corrections Practice in Institutions
    Apply corrections practice and policy recommendations in institutional corrections settings.
  • CX3004 Corrections Practice in Communities
    Develop a community-based corrections plan.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • JP3001 The Judicial System
    Analyze factors that contribute to choices and processes in the judicial system.
  • JP3002 Roles in the Judicial System
    Analyze factors that contribute to choices and processes in the judicial system.
  • JP3003 Professional Standards and Ethics
    Apply professional standards and ethics to criminal justice practice in the judicial system.
  • JP3004 Justice in a Changing Society
    Apply diversity and cultural awareness to criminal justice practice in the judicial system.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • LW3001 Law Enforcement History
    Compare historical aspects of law enforcement and policing to contemporary criminal justice practice.
  • LW3002 Law Enforcement Management and Organizational Structure
    Distinguish between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in criminal justice practice.
  • LW3003 The Use of Power in Law Enforcement
    Distinguish between the appropriate uses of power, discretion, and deception in law enforcement practice.
  • LW3004 Technology in Law Enforcement
    Evaluate the influence of technological innovations in law enforcement.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • DA3001 The Role of Research in Criminal Justice
    Analyze the application of data driven research and crime analysis.
  • DA3002 Foundational Research Methods
    Apply data analysis and foundational research methods in criminal justice settings and practice.
  • DA3003 Research Tools and Basic Computer Applications in Criminal Justice
    Apply tools for management and organization of criminal justice data, databases, and analyses.
  • DA3004 Crime Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    Apply mapping tools for crime analysis.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • VT4001 Crime and Victimization Theory
    Analyze how victimization theory affects criminal justice practice.
  • VT4002 Types of Victims
    Analyze how victim type affects crime reporting.
  • VT4003 Crime Reporting, Policy, and Victim Roles
    Relate methods of crime reporting to victimization policy changes in the criminal justice process.
  • VT4004 Resources for Victims
    Recommend appropriate resource guidance for crime victims.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Concentration Competencies (20 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.

Elective Competencies (65 credits)

Choose 13 courses from General Education, BS in Criminal Justice, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Elective credits should total 65 to meet the program requirements. At least 10 credits must be at the 3000, 4000, or 5000 level. Students may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet their elective requirements.

Capstone Competencies (5 credits)

  • DD4001 Ethics in Criminal Justice Issues
    Recommend ethical approaches for decision-making, behavior, and policies that address criminal justice issues.
  • DD4002 Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice
    Develop a diversity policy to address bias in the criminal justice system.