Online Bachelor of Criminology
Gain Skills at the Intersection of Criminology and Social Justice
Online Courses
18 Months
39 Major Credit Hours
$450 per Credit Hour
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Criminology Experts Guide Your Growth in Careers That Matter
- Apply By: 01/11/2027
- Start Class: 01/11/2027
If you’re asking tough questions about what causes crime and how communities can heal from it, you’re poised to lead in criminology. Benedictine University’s online bachelor’s in criminology program guides your growth as a leader ready to address those issues in careers in law enforcement, corrections, public policy and beyond.
At Benedictine, you won’t be alone in becoming someone who helps make communities safer. You’ll connect with faculty and classmates who share that same purpose, from your first course through graduation. We offer eight-week terms designed to fit your life, with hands-on experiences for applying criminology concepts as you go.
Program Highlights
- Benefit from our successful job placement rate
- Seek internships with federal agencies and nonprofits
- You can get credit for work/life experience
- No application fee
- No ACT/SAT requirement
Program Details: Bachelor of Criminology Online
Curriculum
Learn the Causes of Crime and Prepare to Prevent It
13 Courses in the Major
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
Admissions Requirements
Apply to the Online Degree in Criminology Program at No Cost
Application Deadline January 11, 2027
Start Date January 11, 2027
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 Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | An 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. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. |
| Transfer Credits |
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| Credit for Work/Life Experience |
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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.
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 enrollment counselor about financial aid opportunities.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $450 |
|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours (Major) | 39 |
| Total Estimated Tuition (Major), Without Fees | $17,550 |
| Student Services Fee | $40 per credit hour |
| Other Costs to Budget For | The 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.
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
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 CareersCareer 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
- Demonstrate informational competence by formulating a research topic, conducting a literature search, selecting valid and appropriate sources and accurately summarizing selected literature.
- Demonstrate familiarity with criminal justice ideas by employing different criminological perspectives to explain the relationship of the individual to society and agencies of social control.
- Recognize the proper application of descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques and use computers to conduct and interpret data analyses.
- Recognize the inter-dependency of the criminal justice components and how they are situated in broader social, legal and political environments impacting operations and various constituencies (e.g., victims, offenders, professionals, etc.).
- Be able to identify and evaluate alternative modes of justice, including the goals such modes seek to fulfill beyond common purposes of criminal sanctions.
- Employ interpersonal skills and communication skills (e.g., listening) while engaging in real-life professional settings or classroom simulations.
Our Faculty Sees You, Believes in You and Guides Your Journey
Our faculty members teach in the spirit of a storied Benedictine tradition of accompanying people through change. You’ll learn from distinguished instructors and industry leaders who mentor with humility and hospitality, listen before lecturing, and draw on deep experience to guide your growth. From the first day of class, all of our faculty know your name and provide steady support as you become the person and professional you’re meant to be.
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
Sources and Disclaimer
- 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.
- 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.