B.S. in Criminal Justice FAQs

This program has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academic licensure requirements, and continuing education (CE) credits toward annual licensure requirements.

To apply for CSP’s online B.S. in Criminal Justice, you need a completed online application and official transcripts from all previously attended institutions with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.  CSP accepts up to 90 transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, making the program accessible for community college graduates. Review the admissions page for all requirements for this program. 

Yes, CSP accepts up to 90 transfer credits from regionally accredited community colleges and four-year institutions toward the 120-credit bachelor’s degree. An Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree typically transfers as 60 credits, covering most general education requirements. 

Your first step is to complete the online application, and then prepare your high school or college transcripts, if applicable. See the How to Apply page for more information.

This program includes both Minnesota POST licensure and non-POST licensure tracks.

This degree prepares you for diverse careers in law enforcement.  This includes a police officer, deputy sherriff, corrections counselor, state trooper, homeland security officer, probation officer, court bailiff, paralegal, criminologist, customs inspector, loss prevention specialist, and more.   The degree is increasingly preferred for promotional opportunities in law enforcement and corrections agencies, and most federal law enforcement positions require bachelor’s degrees. Learn more about growth in this field and potential options on the program careers page.  

Yes, a Criminal Justice degree meets the FBI’s educational requirement for Special Agent positions. The FBI requires all applicants to hold bachelor’s degrees from accredited institutions, and Criminal Justice is an acceptable major. 

Yes, the degree provides excellent preparation for corporate security management, loss prevention, private investigation, security consulting, and leadership roles in security firms. The criminal justice curriculum covers relevant topics including criminal law, investigation techniques, ethics, risk assessment, and organizational management that apply directly to private security.

Yes, this program includes both Minnesota POST licensure and non-POST licensure tracks.

The program’s capstone course offers flexible options: students can complete an internship, develop a portfolio, or complete a capstone project. An internship is not mandatory but is one of three culminating experience options. If you choose the internship route, you’ll gain hands-on experience in law enforcement agencies, corrections facilities, courts, federal agencies, victim advocacy organizations, or related settings. Students currently working in criminal justice fields may be able to fulfill capstone requirements through workplace-based projects.  

CSP’s Criminal Justice program includes coursework in Forensic Science and Technology, which explores crime scene management, forensic investigations, evidence collection and analysis, and courtroom admissibility. This program, however, does not include specialization tracks.  While the program provides foundational knowledge in these specialized areas, careers in forensic science or cybercrime often require additional technical training, certifications, or advanced degrees beyond a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  

Absolutely. CSP’s online criminal justice degree is designed for working professionals, including police officers, corrections officers, and security personnel. The fully online, asynchronous format allows you to complete coursework around shift work, rotating schedules, and the unpredictable nature of law enforcement careers. Most students work full-time while pursuing their degrees.  

The program’s 44 core credit hours can be completed in just over five semesters. However, your transfer credits and general education credits will vary the time it takes you to complete the degree.

Completion time depends on transfer credits and enrollment pace. The program requires 120 total credits, with 30 core credit hours that can be completed in just over five semesters. Starting with zero college credits, full-time students (12-15 credits per semester) typically finish in approximately 4 years, while part-time students (6 credits per semester) may take 6-8 years. Transfer students with associate degrees (60 credits) typically complete the remaining credits in 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. Students transferring  90 credits can finish in as little as 1 year full-time. 

This program costs $420 per credit hour. The complete 120-credit degree totals $50,400 in tuition. This does not include additional costs related to loan fees, textbooks, or course supplies . Transfer credits can significantly reduce the cost to complete the online criminal justice degree at CSP.   Financial aid options include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, institutional scholarships, state grants, and external scholarships. Many students in law enforcement receive tuition assistance from employers. Learn more about payment options on the tuition and financial aid page.