Skip to content

Online Bachelor of Criminology

Lawyers meeting in conference room

Gain Skills at the Intersection of Criminology and Social Justice

Online Courses

18 Months

39 Major Credit Hours

$450 per Semester Credit Hour

Request More Information

Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.

Advance in Law Enforcement and Beyond with Our Online Criminology Degree

Become a leader versed in a wide range of criminal justice topics with the online bachelor’s in criminology program from Benedictine University. You’ll complete theory-based courses that enable you to think critically about the root causes of crime as you prepare to confront challenges and make a meaningful difference in your community. Because we offer the coursework online, you’ll get the flexibility needed to succeed in your classes and career.

Program Highlights

Request Info

Program Details: Bachelor of Criminology Online

Curriculum

Learn the Causes of Crime and Prepare to Prevent It

13 Major Courses

Internship Opportunities

Pursue your bachelor’s degree in criminology online with Benedictine University to engage in a dynamic education that explores the complexities of crime and justice. While completing the online courses, you’ll expand your critical thinking skills and study social justice topics, developing knowledge for taking the lead as an agent of positive change in your community.

Benedictine’s expert faculty members have experience as researchers and practitioners throughout the criminology field. Learn from their professional perspectives as you take theory-based courses on the underlying causes of crime and recidivism. You can also tailor your B.A. in Criminology to your career goals by completing an array of criminology electives.

Students can gain hands-on experience through a 150-hour criminology internship in their current workplace or another relevant location.* With our faculty’s guidance, you can find an internship placement with nonprofits and law enforcement agencies at the local and federal levels. If you prefer to earn your bachelor’s in criminology entirely online, you can complete a senior thesis instead of an internship.

Course Highlights
  • SOCL 1100 Principles of Sociology
  • PLSC 2105 Law and Politics
  • CRIM 3356 Research Methods and Criminological Inquiry
  • CRIM 4420 Advanced Criminological Theory
Curriculum Details

Admissions Requirements

Apply to the Online Degree in Criminology Program at No Cost

Application Deadline August 25, 2025

Start Date August 25, 2025

Benedictine University offers a simple, supportive admissions process for the online B.A. in Criminology program. There is no application fee, and you can transfer your previously earned credits to earn your degree on a faster schedule. Eligible students can also receive credit for up to 12 semester hours for work/life experience.

Online Application FormApply Now
Degree and Minimum GPAAn associate degree is preferred but not required. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or better from all colleges and universities previously attended is required.
TranscriptsOfficial transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities.
Transfer Credits
  • Students can transfer previously earned credits to this online program.
  • Credits to be transferred from other institutions are evaluated on the basis of their equivalents at Benedictine University.
  • Students transferring to Benedictine University’s undergraduate programs must transfer at least 12 credit hours. Otherwise, freshman requirements apply.
Credit for Work/Life Experience
  • Students can submit Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) portfolios for a maximum of 12 general elective credit hours.
  • Students need to complete all requirements of the PLA program within one year of starting their degree program.
  • Only portfolios that demonstrate sufficient mastery of a course’s learning outcomes can earn credit.
International Students

Our online courses offer a flexible way for international students to continue their education. In addition to the standard admission requirements, international students must demonstrate they have met the English proficiency requirements for this online program. Additionally, students applying for traditional first-year or transfer programs must meet the following TOEFL or IELTS requirements:

  • TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 79
  • IELTS Exam: 6.5

Under certain circumstances, students may meet the English proficiency requirements without submitting official TOEFL or IELTS scores. Review all requirements for undergraduate students on our International Admission page.

Get Support for Your Journey to an Online Degree

At Benedictine University, we’re dedicated to assisting you throughout the admissions process. From the time you apply to your first week of class, an admissions counselor will work closely with you to aid your success. Visit our Admissions Hub to learn the steps you’ll complete to begin your online program, along with opportunities for students with transfer credits and military experience.

Admissions

Tuition & Aid

Invest in Your Future with an Online Degree in Criminology

Calculate your cost for attending BenU Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.  

Our online degree in criminology program delivers valuable skills and experiences that can pay dividends in your career. You’ll benefit from cost-effective tuition while engaging in a career-aligned education that opens doors to a variety of professional opportunities. When you request information, be sure to ask your admissions counselor about financial aid opportunities.

Cost per Semester Credit Hour$450
Total Number of Credit Hours (Major)39
Total Estimated Tuition (Major)$17,550
Additional FeesStudent services fee: $40 per semester credit hour
Other Costs to Budget ForThe estimated tuition cost does not include factors like textbooks or other expenses.

Proud to Support Our Military Students

Benedictine University is grateful for the service of the men and women of the U.S. military. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program and offer a Military Scholarship to active-duty and veteran service members. Additionally, our admissions team can help you make the most of the education benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Learn About Tuition and Financial Aid

We strive to provide valuable returns as you progress through your online program and career. To make your program cost-effective, we can help you explore financial aid options, scholarships, military benefits and more. Plus, learn how tuition reimbursement programs help you save money while earning a career-aligned degree.

Tuition Details

Criminologist reviewing documents in office

What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree?

Our online degree in criminology program illuminates the true causes of crime, preparing you to stop criminal behavior and make your community safe. The coursework aligns with skills needed in law enforcement, as our students have advanced into positions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). You can also build skills for roles in social work, public policy, academia and beyond.

Explore Careers

Career Paths for Online Bachelor’s in Criminology Students

Corrections Case Manager $95,195 average annual salary1

Criminal Intelligence Analyst $66,812 average annual salary2

What You’ll Learn

Pursue your B.A. in Criminology online with Benedictine to become part of a community of faith and scholarship. Throughout the program, you’ll explore theoretical and practical tools for engaging in and investigating the social world. The online courses impart a working knowledge of criminological concepts and an informed criminological perspective for evaluating programs and resolving social problems.

Program Outcomes

Follow Our Faculty to the Forefront of In-Demand Fields

Benedictine University’s faculty members bring tremendous professional experience to the classroom. As distinguished instructors and industry leaders, they commit to publishing new findings and pioneering new possibilities in their fields. Thanks to our small student-to-faculty ratio, you will receive personal support throughout your online program.

Julie Cowgill, Assistant Provost of Mesa Campus and Professor of Society, Justice and Politics

Faculty Spotlight: Julie Cowgill, Ph.D.

Dr. Cowgill balances her administrative responsibilities with teaching courses in Criminology. Her areas of interest include criminological theory, research methods, popular culture and justice, white-collar crime, and race, gender and crime. Her current research is an exploration of organized retail crime and its impact on retail sales and profit, law enforcement and communities.

Education

  • M.S. in Justice Studies, Arizona State University
  • Ph.D. in Justice Studies, Arizona State University

Flexible Online Courses That Foster Success

Benedictine University strives to provide a highly engaging experience to online students. We deliver courses via an easy-to-use learning management system that incorporates innovative instruction and helps students remain productive. Thanks to the asynchronous format of our courses, you can study when and where you prefer while getting the flexibility needed to meet your personal and professional responsibilities.

  • Take online courses of the same quality as our on-campus programs
  • Benefit from curricula rooted in the latest research and continuous improvement
  • Network with your instructors and classmates around the world
Discover Benedictine Online

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. Salary.com. “Corrections Case Manager Salary in the United States.” Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/hiring/corrections-case-manager-salary.
  2. Salary.com. “Crime Intelligence Analyst Salary in the United States.” Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/crime-intelligence-analyst-salary.

*Students can complete the internship at their current workplace. Depending on where students work and their assigned job roles, they might need to perform additional tasks outside of their daily responsibilities to fulfill the internship requirements.