Criminal Justice (AA) | Online
Earn your Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at 天涯海角社区 and launch a rewarding career in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, probation, or private security, all from a distinctly Christian worldview.
This fully accredited Criminal Justice AA program combines rigorous academic training with biblical principles of justice, ethics, and restoration. Designed for both recent high school graduates and working adults seeking career advancement, our 60-credit degree can be completed in as little as two years (full-time) and is available both on-campus in Langhorne, PA and 100% online.
Why a Degree in Criminal Justice?
This program addresses the processes of law enforcement, the legal system, and the penal/correctional system. It pointedly addresses issues of diversity, ethics, and biblical anthropology as they relate to the complexities of criminal justice.
Why the Associate of Arts Degree 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.
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.
Campus Community
Community is about more than simply taking classes together. It is more than having a similar experience.
Flexible and Convenient
Complete coursework anywhere through our asynchronous course design, reinforced by substantive faculty engagement.
Affordable
$425 per credit with financial aid options; SARA approved institution meeting nationwide standards and matching the quality of the on-campus program.
more Details
Get an inside look at our Criminal Justice Program
The AA in Criminal Justice program requires 33 credits from the University core courses, 18 credits from the program requirements, and 9 credits from course electives.听
Learn more:听
Required Credits:听60
Program Highlights:听
- 听Credits: 3
- or听听听Credits: 3
- 听Credits: 3
- 听Credits: 3
- 听Credits: 3
- 听Credits: 3
- 听Credits: 3
Graduates are prepared for immediate entry-level positions such as:
- Police officer / Law enforcement
- Corrections officer
- Probation and parole officer
- Security professional
- Youth services worker
- Victim advocate
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 strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by Cairn faculty and not TAs. Cairn Online programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 programs.听
The tuition rate for the 2026-2027 academic year is听$4,900 block rate for 12-18 credits per semester. Additional details on fees and part-time status are available 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
Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
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听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.
The course transfer depends on where you are transferring from, and what program you are transferring to. If you are coming to Cairn Online from another institution, it is very likely you will have some credits that will transfer. Because there are so many options, we encourage you to talk to an enrollment counselor. If you are transferring out, Cairn is a regionally accredited听school and some credits should transfer with relative ease. Each college sets their own transfer criteria, so be sure to check their policies for specifics.
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
The is a unique opportunity for prospective students to engage one-on-one with our dedicated enrollment advisors. This optional, low-pressure conversation is tailored to help you navigate your journey toward enrolling in Cairn鈥檚 programs with confidence. We understand you have busy schedules. It enables you to schedule a meeting for a time that is convenient for you.听
There are six entry points in the program: September, October, January, March, May, July.听
Provided you submit the enrollment materials, applications are typically processed within 2 weeks of submitting your application.听
天涯海角社区 delivers an intentionally biblical and Christ-centered education that upholds the authority of Scripture, the importance of truth, and the faithful following of Christ. Faculty and staff teach and serve biblically, personally invest in students, and cultivate an authentic Christian community marked by faithfulness, discipleship, and love. At Cairn, the students鈥� education, experience, and relationships shape Christian character, cultivate wisdom, and prepare them to think, live, and serve biblically in an ever-changing world.
天涯海角社区 Ranks #2 in Glanzer鈥檚 Guide to Christian Colleges and Universities. At 天涯海角社区, we work hard to ensure that everything we do inside and outside the classroom aligns with our commitment to Christian education, clearly articulated in our University mission statement.
All undergraduate programs integrate 30 credits of Bible and theology as part of the core curriculum. Except for those pursuing a BS in Bible, anyone who earns a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Cairn has a听听listed on their transcript.