Criminal Justice (BA) |Online
天涯海角社区鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is a Christ-centered program that equips students with a biblical worldview alongside practical knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, and restorative justice. Designed for aspiring police officers, probation officers, victim advocates, and ministry-focused professionals, the curriculum combines rigorous coursework, and ethical training rooted in Scripture. Earn your BA in Criminal Justice at 天涯海角社区 and prepare to serve with integrity in today鈥檚 complex justice system while integrating faith and vocation.
Why Criminal Justice BA?
This program addresses the processes of law enforcement, the legal system, and the penal/correctional system, and allows the student to select courses from related fields to deepen their studies in a particular area of interest. It also pointedly addresses issues of diversity, ethics, and biblical anthropology as they relate to the complexities of criminal justice.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to enter the world of law enforcement, as well as to pursue further academic study at the graduate level.
Why the BA in Criminal Justice from 天涯海角社区?
Biblical Integration
天涯海角社区 is committed to the centrality of Christ and the Word of God and is reflected in the curriculum and instruction.
Ready to Serve
The Cairn mission statement begins with education and ends with character, because we believe that education should change not only what you know, but who you are and what you do.
Experienced Faculty
Students don鈥檛 just have professors, they have mentors who invest in them throughout the program and often remain connected long after graduation.
Flexibility
Complete coursework anywhere through our asynchronous course design, reinforced by substantive faculty engagement.
Affordable Education
$272 per credit with financial aid options with 18-credit load; NC-SARA approved meeting nationwide standards and matching the quality of the on-campus program.
Authentic Christian Community
Community is about more than simply taking classes together. It is more than having a similar experience.
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Get an inside look at our Criminal Justice Program
The BA in Criminal Justice program has been designed with input from our expert faculty in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ensuring you graduate with the in-demand skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. The program requires 60 credits from the core curriculum courses, 45 credits from the program requirements, and 15 credits from other electives.
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Required Credits:听120
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Program Specific Courses
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about the BA in Criminal Justice Program
Law school
Local, state and federal law enforcement
Adult and juvenile probation
Advocacy
Public policy and planning
Community organizing
All 天涯海角社区 students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University鈥檚 doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in the听Foundational Statements. Below are the admission requirements:
- Application:听Submit the听Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code faithmatters and we will waive the fee.听
- Transcripts: Order official transcripts for all conferred degrees to be sent to 天涯海角社区.听
天涯海角社区 is regionally accredited by听 (MSCHE).
天涯海角社区 participates in the听.
Additional Accreditation Information is available from this page.听
You may also be interested in the following programs:听
Connect With Us
An Affordable Education
天涯海角社区 strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by faculty not TAs. The tuition rates are posted on this page.听
天涯海角社区 also partners with many organizations and offers tuition discounts. Tuition discounts are also available for those working in Christian schools.听Please contact us to find out if your organization has a partnership with 天涯海角社区.听
Additional information on scholarships, grants, and loans is available from听this page.听
Featured Faculty
Chris Lloyd
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chris Lloyd served as the Director of the 天涯海角社区 Office of Safety and Security from 2009-2022. Prior to this position, Lloyd worked with his alma mater, Villanova University, and Bucks County Community College in various Safety and Security Administrative roles. In addition to his role of Safety and Security Director, Chris Lloyd teaches undergraduate Criminal Justice courses at Cairn, drawing on his education and vocational experience in the field.
Greg Schaller
Chair, Social Sciences Department, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
In addition to teaching politics courses at the University, Greg Shaller is the president of , a one year program that 鈥減repares principled leaders for faith-informed public service.鈥� Greg previously served as associate professor of politics at Colorado Christian University, where he taught from the fall of 2009 until May of 2017. At Colorado Christian, Greg developed a political science major in the fall of 2011, which now has over 45 students in it.
Additionally, Greg is a fellow at the Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University鈥檚 public policy think-tank. His work with the Centennial Institute includes writing for their blog and in their monthly policy review, The Centennial Review. He also assists with the planning and coordination of the Centennial Institute鈥檚 Western Conservative Summit, a summer conference which is attended by over 3,000 people annually.
Greg has also taught at Villanova University and St. Joseph鈥檚 University in Philadelphia. He is pursuing his PhD at the University of South Dakota.
Cairn Online Frequently Asked Questions鈥�
Our program is intentionally grounded in God鈥檚 Word. Courses are thoughtfully designed by Cairn faculty to promote deep learning and active engagement through instructor-led instruction, research-driven activities, active learning, and meaningful interactions with peers and faculty.听At Cairn, the students鈥� education and experience is designed to shape听Christian character, cultivate wisdom, and prepare them to think, live, and serve biblically in an ever-changing world.
All courses, except the research courses, are structured in seven units and delivered in accelerated 7-week terms.
Each unit contains 5鈥�7 modular activities, including:
- Assigned readings and reading reflections
- Instructional videos from Cairn faculty
- Active learning activities
- Weekly application projects
- A component of the ongoing course research project
Faculty also schedule a few optional Zoom sessions throughout the term to connect with students and address questions.
Faculty are actively involved throughout the week鈥攇uiding learning activities, leading asynchronous discussions, grading work, and delivering personalized feedback. Online students also receive priority technical support and have access to valuable resources from the Masland Library and the Writing Lab.
Except for the Hebrew and Greek language courses for the B.S. in Biblical Studies program, typically there are no required meeting times for the completing the course activities.听听
Cairn is approved to offer financial aid because of its regional accreditation. There are many options available and typically students qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Many students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degree even more affordable. Cairn offers a variety of scholarships and discounts in addition to options for loans and grants. Please refer to this page for details.听