From Our Faculty
Lori Ronan-Khessali, Ph.D.
Criminal Justice
"South University offers me the sense of community of a small school and stimulation of a growing and innovative university.I love teaching, writing and researching. I always tell my students you must have a passion for what you do, or you never will feel fulfilled. I believe that we can do anything we set out to accomplish if we are dedicated and motivated."
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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Overview

Thanks to the influence of technology, the face of crime is constantly changing. As a result, the need for criminal justice specialists continues to grow at a steady rate. Our Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice online program can enable you to meet this need and propel your career in the broad field of criminal justice.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is for law enforcement practitioners seeking to advance their careers, for those in other occupations looking to make a change, and for high school graduates preparing for a future in the criminal justice field. The program curriculum offers a comprehensive, relevant, practitioner-oriented preparation for this dynamic, rapidly growing profession.

Students may choose one of five specializations:

  • Corrections — Study the correctional systems designed to protect the public from convicted offenders, as well as ways to rehabilitate and integrate this group back into society.
  • Crime Scene Investigation — Learn about the cornerstones of crime solving. Focus on collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene, understanding the functions of a crime laboratory, and reconstructing crime scenes.
  • Cyber Crime — Become familiar with one of the fastest-growing areas of criminal justice, which focuses on the recovery of digital information that has been used to commit crimes ranging from identity theft and embezzlement to cyber stalking and homicide.
  • Law Enforcement — Prepare to protect the public and serve on the front lines of homeland security by learning about law enforcement operations, criminal law and investigation, and terrorism and homeland security.
  • Juvenile Justice — Learn the triggers to juvenile justice problems while you focus on juvenile protection, rehabilitation and incarceration.
Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions or to apply their understanding of law enforcement, criminology, the judicial process, juvenile justice, corrections, and criminal law to their current job.


Employment Outlook for Criminal Justice
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Overall opportunities in local police departments will be excellent for individuals who meet the psychological, personal, and physical qualifications. " "There will be more competition for jobs in Federal and State law enforcement agencies than for jobs in local agencies. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. " "Applicants with a bachelor's degree and several years of law enforcement or military experience, especially investigative experience, will have the best opportunities in Federal agencies. "
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Police and Detectives, on the internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm.