Named an “Apple Distinguished School” for 2021-2024
Ranked a “Best National University” for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Program Guide
Superior law enforcement begins with a robust, practical knowledge base. Maryville University’s online bachelor’s in criminal justice offers an interdisciplinary approach to help you apply theory to real-world scenarios.
Our online criminal justice degree can help you emerge ready for police academy training — which can prepare you to work in law enforcement, corrections, community service, and a variety of other settings.
Start your journey
At a glance
Apply with no application fee or entrance exams
Choose from two tracks: police academy or non-police academy
100% online curriculum
Explore financial aid and transfer credit friendly admission
Choose to start in fall, spring, or summer
Eligible for Early Access — get a head start on your graduate degree
Curriculum
Maryville’s 128-credit hour program is designed to develop a student’s understanding and appreciation of the dynamics related to criminality, the law, and its enforcement. The interdisciplinary approach examines crime as a social phenomenon by combining theoretical learning with professional field-based education. Choose between two tracks: police academy or non-police academy.
Criminal Justice/Criminology Core Courses
- CRIM 102 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRIM 210 Multicultural Policing
- CRIM 220 Corrections in Society
- CRIM 311 Criminal Law and Procedure
- PSCI 319 Civil Liberties/Rights
- CRIM 322 Criminological Theory
- CRIM 326 Criminal Behavior
Social Science Research Sequence
- SOSC 240 Critical Thinking in Social Science
- SOSC 242 Research Methods
- SOSC 245 Research Design
- SOSC 341 Understanding Statistical Inference
- SOSC 480 Senior Seminar
- SOSC 485 Senior Project
Police Academy Training
- CRIM 494 Police Academy Training Program
Criminal Justice/Criminology Electives
- CRIM 211 Introduction to Criminal Investigations
- CRIM 305 Family Violence Through the Lifespan
- CRIM 405 Domestic and International Terrorism
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry demands. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Admission requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (high school) / 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (college)*
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
- Official high school transcript (required for applicants with fewer than 60 transfer hours from a regionally accredited school)
- Eligible transfer credits accepted; associate degree completion may satisfy general education requirements
- Click to view our transfer credit policy
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University
- No standardized tests required
*Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered for provisional admission
Explore our additional resources to help guide your admission journey.
Accreditation and Rankings
Why Maryville Online?
We’ve been progressively challenging the norms of higher education for nearly 150 years. We started as one of the first universities to educate women. Today, we continue to push the boundaries and prepare students like you for a digital world. At Maryville, we understand what it takes to step beyond your comfort zone.
Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success — both online and on campus. We’re located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.
Enhance your skills. Broaden your career.
Top 5 skills you can develop:
- Applying ethical standards to criminal justice issues
- Doing effective research and investigation
- Knowing how to rely on technology
- Being aware of all the functions of the criminal justice system
- Approaching complex problems from diverse perspectives
Top 5 careers you can pursue:
- Police officer
- Computer forensics investigator
- Air marshall
- Corrections officer
- Border protection officer
Early Access Program
Did you know that Maryville undergraduates can qualify for graduate level credits? Once you are accepted — and as long as you have not yet completed your elective requirements — we invite you to explore Early Access as an option. Through Early Access, you can get a head start on earning a graduate degree by taking master’s-level courses that count toward your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate-level Early Access courses are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate — so you can save time and money.
You can learn more at our Early Access page.
Faculty spotlight
Meet Geriann Brandt
Director of the Criminal Justice/Criminology Program, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Criminology
A leading educator in criminology, Geriann Brandt has been helping Maryville criminal justice students hone investigative skills for more than 15 years.
- MA, University of Missouri-St. Louis
- BA, Maryville University
Professor Brandt began teaching criminal justice courses at Maryville University in 2002, after more than 13 years working in law enforcement. As an officer, she positively impacted her community, and now as an educator, she inspires students to cultivate sharp investigative skills so they can do the same.
Today she leads our online criminal justice degree program by combining firsthand experience with more than a decade of success teaching students to connect theory to real-life work. It’s why her expertise is in demand as a reviewer of academic texts, including the 2016 edition of Criminal Violence: Patterns, Explanations, and Interventions.
Professor Brandt provides expert career guidance to help you consider what career is best suited for you. She also shares insights from her connections in law enforcement, exemplifying the expert guidance you can receive as a Maryville criminal justice student.
Start your journey today
Learn more about the Maryville University online bachelor’s in criminal justice.