Criminal Justice, BS

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is to provide educational and training experiences to students interested in careers in the criminal justice field, including policing, private security, private investigations, parole officers, probation officers, and crime analysts. Students in this program have the option to complete the program online or via a combination of onground and online. Students are required to earn a minimum grade of “C” in all major courses.

Goals/Learning Outcomes

Students pursuing this program will have several choices in future pursuits and the goals of the program reflect these possibilities:

1. The program seeks to prepare students to be successful candidates for admission into professional training programs in the criminal justice field, such as the federal, state, and local police academies.
2. The program seeks to prepare students not seeking admission into professional training programs to be successful candidates for entry-level positions with private and government employers in the criminal justice field.

Students wishing to pursue employment might seek positions with job titles including Police Officer, FBI Agent, Crime Analyst, Private Investigator, and Probation Officer.

Students completing this program will:

1. Develop an understanding of fundamental theoretical criminal justice concepts necessary for employment in the criminal justice field.
2. Develop analytical and reasoning skills that promote independent thinking.
3. Demonstrate knowledge regarding the significance of historical, cultural, and political diversity as it relates to the field of criminal justice and the administration of justice.
4. Develop effective communication skills.
5. Gain knowledge of commonly held professional and ethical principles and practices utilized in the field of criminal justice.

Admission

All students must minimally meet the requirements for general admission to South College. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the program. Program admission is not granted until a student has successfully completed 60 hours of the required curriculum at South College, earning the minimum grades required by the program.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program is currently offered at the Knoxville, Asheville, and Nashville campuses (Hybrid), as well as Online. Major courses may only be available in online format.