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Why Study Criminal Justice Online at AMU?
1. Acquire Specialized Knowledge of Digital Forensics
In forensic investigations, technicians collect and analyze evidence to piece together details of a suspected crime: how the crime was committed, the extent to which a criminal—or group of criminals—violated the law, and the identity (or identities) of said criminal or criminals. As the title suggests, a forensic digital investigator similarly carries out these duties by analyzing digital assets and data to investigate cybercrimes.
Perhaps a consequence of the seemingly omnipresent computers, tablets, and smartphones that have permeated our modern society, cybercrime poses a constant threat to individuals, corporations, and government entities. Data can be accessed at the push of a button, and with this newfound accessibility comes the potential for malicious activity that may take the form of hacks, fraud, theft, espionage, blackmail, ransomware, and more.
Cybercriminals grow increasingly sophisticated with each new advancement in technology. Public safety professionals, therefore, must stay apprised of the vulnerabilities, risks, and security threats we all face by simply living in the digital age.
AMU’s online program is designed to help prepare criminal justice students with the advanced critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills often essential for crime prevention, forensic investigations, and the ongoing fight for justice.
Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the complex ways in which digital crime and criminal law continue to evolve. The criminal justice process has been dramatically impacted by the rise of digital technology over the last several decades—and, subsequently, the number of cases concerning digital evidence. So, you will come to understand how the roles of today’s forensic science technician, detective, and investigator are constantly changing in order to keep up with the many nuances of modern-day crime.
You will gain a comprehensive overview of digital forensic investigation processes and procedures with courses that cover everything from digital evidence collection methods to data presentation, cybercrime prosecution, ethical issues that arise within forensic investigations, and the latest technologies being used to combat computer crimes.
2. Learn at an Accredited Institution
When comparing undergraduate academic programs, it is imperative to select an accredited university. Accreditation sets the bar for standards of quality against which all schools are measured.
Accreditation should therefore be important to you because it also determines a school’s eligibility for financial aid including federal student aid, military tuition assistance, and unique benefits for veterans. Accreditation may also influence admission to accredited graduate schools after completing this bachelor of science in criminal justice degree.
American Military University is part of American Public University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
3. Classes Have No Set Login Times
As a military-friendly institution, AMU is committed to providing remote learning opportunities for those whose lifestyles and responsibilities may prevent them from attending weekly classes in person.
This online undergraduate program enables students to access coursework 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection. Classes start monthly and run mostly 8 weeks long, providing the flexibility and convenience to earn your bachelor’s degree—even if you’re employed full-time or serving on active duty.
4. Affordable Tuition Puts Your Bachelor’s Degree Within Reach
One of the defining aspects of AMU’s BS in criminal justice is, in fact, the affordable cost per credit hour. AMU also offers emergency services professionals its Everyday Heroes Grant, a 10% tuition savings for any undergraduate or master’s-level program. Police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and their families are eligible. AMU students also may transfer up to 90 credits toward this 120-credit degree program. Furthermore, the University provides $0 ebooks to all undergraduate students.
5. Learn From Faculty Who’ve Served Within the Criminal Justice System
Many AMU faculty members’ teachings draw from their own criminal justice careers to help prepare students for the realities of this field.
From federal agents to police officers, judges, and probation officers, every criminal justice professional impacts the public as a whole, contributing to quality of life within communities both near and far.
The duties, responsibilities, and actions of those who serve within the criminal justice field are powerful enough to create a ripple effect that can be seen and felt well beyond our own lifetime. For this reason, criminal justice majors at AMU are encouraged to sharpen their leadership skills, use sound judgment, and, above all, learn how to remain calm and collected, even when dealing with high-stress situations.
Curriculum Highlights for This Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice (BS)
The criminal justice curriculum at AMU challenges students to step into the mind of a forensic investigator. In addition to general education courses, students will round out their studies with classes on the fundamentals of criminal justice and digital forensics.
Criminal justice major courses are led by highly credentialed faculty—many of whom have served in the military and have prior experience working as police chiefs, sheriffs, and homeland security leaders. Emphasizing practical knowledge, AMU’s criminal justice courses are carefully structured to bridge the gap between academic theories and real scenarios professionals encounter routinely in the criminal justice field.
Degree concentration coursework covers forensic investigation best practices, as well as tools and technology used for identifying, preventing, and investigating computer crimes.
Students must also complete a specified number of credit hours’ worth of elective courses. Electives may consist of any undergraduate courses—including liberal arts, social sciences, foreign language, or any other disciplines of interest—that have not already been completed to satisfy general education, degree concentration, or major-specific curriculum requirements for this criminal justice major.
Which Criminal Justice Online Program is Right For You?
Criminal justice is a discipline drawing not only from decades of scholarly research, but also from everyday happenings within American society. From petty crime and misdemeanors to felonies and matters of homeland security, both of AMU’s baccalaureate criminal justice programs educate students on the many forms of crime—and the widespread impacts of each.
All students pursuing a criminal justice online degree at AMU will learn about the ways in which criminal justice agencies work together to defend and protect public safety. Students will analyze the relationship between law enforcement and the U.S. court system, legal system, and correctional system.
Criminal justice majors are also introduced to criminology, a branch of social and behavioral sciences used to better understand criminal behavior. Issues pertaining to juvenile delinquency, juvenile justice, and psychological/environmental factors believed to influence deviant behavior are examined as well in these programs.
Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
While AMU’s bachelor of arts in criminal justice program takes a humanities-focused approach to the discipline, the bachelor of science emphasizes the technology, research, and data that help guide criminal investigations. Furthermore, each online bachelor degree program in criminal justice includes a concentration to allow students to further focus their studies.
Many students pursuing criminal justice degrees as adult learners are drawn to AMU’s programs because they’ve already begun their own professional criminal justice careers. It is not uncommon for criminal justice majors to have prior experience as correctional officers or in law enforcement, military operations, homeland security, or other public safety roles.
If your professional or academic background includes any of the following, you may be eligible to apply transfer credits1 to your baccalaureate degree, based on transfer policies outlined on our University website:
- Previously earned college credit (including an associate degree)
- Military service, education, and/or training
- Professional training and certification
- Credit by examination
- Government training
- Public safety (i.e., police officer) training
- Relevant prior learning
- Community college agreements
There is a $0 transfer credit evaluation fee.
How to Pay For Your Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree at AMU
American Military University offers a number of ways students can finance their education, ranging from University-sponsored grants to guidance with seeking federal student aid.
Parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents of public safety professionals are also eligible to use the grant.
NOTE: The Preferred Military Rate supersedes all university grants and special promotions and cannot be combined with other special pricing.
This criminal justice program is often of interest to those with a military background. If you are a veteran, you may have the option to apply GI Bill® benefits toward tuition expenses as well. Learn more veteran benefits here.
NOTE: Tuition grants cannot be combined with other special University rates, promotions, or grants. Only one tuition grant can be applied per course registration.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
AMU accepts the following “out-of-pocket” payment methods:
- Automatic debit plan (with 8- and 16-week schedule options)
- Credit cards
- E-checks
- Digital payments
Networking Opportunities For Online Criminal Justice Students
As a criminal justice major, you will be part of AMU’s School of Security and Global Studies. Within this School are several student communities dedicated to public safety, human services, and, overall, making meaningful contributions to society.
Each group provides a unique opportunity to connect with your peers beyond the virtual classroom. As an active participant, you will be able to hone your skills in team-building, communication, project management, and critical thinking. AMU’s student organizations also empower members to take on leadership roles as club officers who are responsible for overseeing the operations and management of each group.
Open to AMU students, alumni, and faculty, the following communities host regular meetings online and may be of particular interest to criminal justice majors:
Criminology Club
Discuss research, findings, and career opportunities in the criminology and criminal justice field. Members participate in forums about criminal behavior, the justice system itself, issues relating to juvenile justice and juvenile delinquency, defining aspects of qualified professionals within the field, and more.
Fire Science Club
Discuss critical fire science issues, such as fire protection and prevention, fire analysis and investigations, safety-related regulations and laws, modern fire test standards and codes, firefighter health and safety precautions, and the latest findings in—and applications for—fire research.
Homeland Security Network
Participate in forums with your peers and discuss topics such as homeland defense, intelligence, customs and border patrol, emergency management, and other ongoing efforts to protect and defend our nation.
Additional Organizations, Clubs, and Networking Opportunities at AMU
Whatever your passions or interests may be, AMU’s varied student organizations make it possible to connect with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm. Choose from clubs and communities dedicated to:
- Learning foreign languages
- Career and pre-professional education
- Social and political causes
- Shared cultural backgrounds
- Faith and spirituality
- Volunteer work and community service
- Academic and honor societies
- Shared experiences of servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses at AMU
Frequently Asked Questions
In the U.S. military, computer forensics specialists play a major role in counterintelligence operations. Military forensic investigators analyze digital devices and digital media to identify and prevent cyber threats.
Throughout the U.S. military, forensics plays a role in countless operations. For instance, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations routinely conducts forensic examinations. The Air Force also established the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) in 1998, which actively works on matters of digital forensics and cybersecurity to this day. Additionally, the U.S. Navy’s own NCIS special agents apply forensic science to investigate felonies, combat terrorists, and protect confidential information. Still, it’s worth noting that the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory is the DoD’s only full-service criminal forensic lab, according to the department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Military police serve as both soldiers and law enforcement officers, with a wide range of duties that include making arrests, investigating crimes, and even enforcing martial law. A military police officer may also serve as an advisor to the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.
A military corrections officer is an active-duty servicemember tasked with presiding over, transporting, and maintaining records of prisoners. Responsibilities may include overseeing prisoner funds, preventing and controlling riots, monitoring prison security systems, and more.
“We are essentially educating and training the next generation of criminal justice professionals, so we want to equip them with the knowledge of the challenges that continue to plague the criminal justice system and debate some of the proposed solutions to those challenges. When I was an undergraduate student, we focused almost entirely on criminal offenders, but rarely on criminal justice professionals. For example, one of my research interests and areas of expertise is in physical and mental wellness among first responders. For example, corrections officers have an average life expectancy of age 59, are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and often suffer from several debilitating physical ailments including cardiovascular disease. This is the reality of our profession. We have high rates of burnout, depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicide, alcoholism, and other physical/mental disorders, all of which can be controlled with proper training. There’s no denying that we definitely address the elephant in the room, and our students sincerely appreciate that because it shows that we care about their physical and mental well-being. I like to think that we’re not just preparing our students for a successful career, but we also want them to aspire to be the next generation of criminal justice leaders who will continue tackling the challenges discussed in our criminal justice courses.”—Michael Pittaro, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Security and Global Studies
“Digital forensics” refers to the practice of analyzing and collecting evidence, drawing conclusions about the nature and perpetrator(s) of a crime based on that evidence, and, finally, presenting the same evidence in court in order to bring criminals to justice—whether said criminals are suspected of committing a cybercrime or digital evidence is used to solve a case extending beyond the realm of cyberspace.
A typical criminal justice degree takes a liberal arts approach to the discipline, providing a vast overview of the field that encompasses law enforcement, U.S. courts, and correctional institutions. Students will usually gain a high-level understanding of the ecosystem in which police officers, federal agents, court officials, judges, corrections officers, and parole officers work together to mitigate crime. Additionally, students can expect to discuss influences of criminal behavior and the psychology behind those who commit crimes.
Yes, both the bachelor of science and the bachelor of arts in criminal justice can be earned online at AMU. Criminal justice majors attend classes virtually and submit weekly assignments online while participating in discussion threads with classmates and faculty. Classes start monthly and there are no set login times. Students can access their coursework 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection, making AMU a practical choice for those who may be employed full-time, raising a young family, or juggling other responsibilities while pursuing a degree.
This online criminal justice degree program consists of 120 credits, and students may be eligible to transfer up to 90 credits toward AMU’s BS or BA degrees, based on transfer policies outlined on our University website.
A bachelor degree can typically be completed within four years if a student is enrolled full-time and receives satisfactory grades in all courses. The time to completion may be reduced to less than four years for full-time students transferring credits to their bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree. Speed to completion depends upon transfer credits accepted and the number of courses taken each session.