Criminal Justice (Online)
Degree-Completion Program
Ready to get started?
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
Course Length: 8 weeks
Program Duration: 2 years
Next Start: March 2026
Ready to get started?
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES
Course Length: 8 weeks
Program Duration: 2 years
Next Start: March 2026
Why Lees-McRae College?
Our online Criminal Justice program is designed for currently employed students who want a program that offers quality education and career preparation while also providing flexibility and convenience. Throughout the program, you will learn from Criminal Justice professionals who have experience working in police departments, in sheriff’s offices, and for the courts.
The Criminal Justice program is completed in just four semesters and qualified applicants might be eligible for a life experience credit based on employment position and/or duties and years of service.
While a bachelor’s degree isn’t required for all Criminal Justice professions, earning a four-year degree greatly improves your lifetime earning potential, your opportunities for leadership positions, and your ability to successfully perform your job.
Some police departments, for example, offer bonuses or higher starting pay based on the applicant’s education level. Although most departments don’t require a four-year degree, police officers earn bachelor’s degrees at a higher rate than Americans in general, meaning that a bachelor’s degree might be necessary to be competitive.
Whether you are seeking an entry-level position or want to advance your career in law enforcement, earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can help you achieve your goals.
While a bachelor’s degree isn’t required for all Criminal Justice professions, earning a four-year degree greatly improves your lifetime earning potential, your opportunities for leadership positions, and your ability to successfully perform your job.
Some police departments, for example, offer bonuses or higher starting pay based on the applicant’s education level. Although most departments don’t require a four-year degree, police officers earn bachelor’s degrees at a higher rate than Americans in general, meaning that a bachelor’s degree might be necessary to be competitive.
Whether you are seeking an entry-level position or want to advance your career in law enforcement, earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can help you achieve your goals.
Students will complete academic core requirements as well as advanced coursework in criminal justice that complements the vocational, technical, or professional area of the associate degree.
While pursuing your degree, you will take online classes on wide-ranging topics such as terrorism, drug addiction, white-collar crime, juvenile justice, and more.
Students will complete academic core requirements as well as advanced coursework in criminal justice that complements the vocational, technical, or professional area of the associate degree.
While pursuing your degree, you will take online classes on wide-ranging topics such as terrorism, drug addiction, white-collar crime, juvenile justice, and more.
Course Map
The degree program can be completed in eight sessions, or four semesters. Each session lasts eight weeks. One of the benefits of this program is that you can start with any session—you don’t need to wait until August. Regardless of when they enter the program, every student follows the same course schedule.
Courses offered each session (all courses are 3 credit hours)
Fall Session 1 (August–September)- Drug Addiction and Crime (CRI 354)
- Environmental Biology (BIO 102)
- Juvenile Justice (CRI 302)
- History of the Southern Appalachian Region (HIS 210)
- Social Problems (SOC 251)
- Probation, Parole, and Community-Based Corrections (CRI 352)
- Appreciation of Modern Performing Arts (THEA 206)
- Terrorism (CRI 463)
- The Forgotten Victim (CRI 343)
Courses offered each session (all courses are 3 credit hours)
Fall Session 1 (August–September)- Criminal Law (CRI 450)
- Science Applications (SCI 214)
- Criminal Justice Internship (CRI 471) OR Criminal Justice Work Experience (CRI 472)*
- Statistics and Research Methods (CRI 362)
- Global Justice Systems (CRI 461)
- Criminal Justice Internship (CRI 471) OR Criminal Justice Work Experience (CRI 472)*
- Criminological Theory (CRI 332)
- Senior Research Seminar (CRI 499)
- White Collar Crime (CRI 404)
- Math and Science Concepts (SCI 241)
*Courses can be taken in Fall Session 1 or Fall Session 2
"While I was attending Lees-McRae I was working full time, sometimes 40+ hours a week. This program makes a degree possible for people in my situation because otherwise, I don't know that I would've been able to get a bachelor's degree."
Lanna Evans ’21
Community College Partners
We set up our programs to make coming to Lees-McRae for a bachelor’s degree as straightforward as possible. For students who earned an associate degree at one of our partner colleges, getting here is even easier. Graduates from these colleges receive guaranteed admission to Lees-McRae, are eligible for tuition discounts, and are considered to have finished their general education requirements.
Didn’t attend a partner college? Set up a free transcript review to identify which college credits will carry over. Contact us at onlineadmissions@lmc.edu.
Lees-McRae students may join Alpha Phi Sigma, the only Criminal Justice Honor Society accredited by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in Alpha Phi Sigma qualifies individuals for Superior Academic Achievement status when applying to federal jobs.
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree in Criminal Justice prepares you for leadership in the criminal justice system and the private sector. Graduates of the program work locally and at state and federal levels.
With your degree, you will be eligible to work in the following fields:
Sheriff’s Office
State Highway Patrol
DMV License & Theft
Missing Persons
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
State Alcohol Law Enforcement
Victim Services
Probation and Parole
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
Private Investigations
Transportation Security
Emergency Management
Fraud Prevention
Private Security
Domestic Violence Advocates
Secret Service
County Clerk Offices
Victim Advocacy
Evidence Analysis
Crime Analysis
Contact
Eric R. Watters
Program Coordinator