Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Finish Your Degree at ECU

Bring Your Criminal Justice Career Into Focus

Criminal justice professionals don’t just work—they serve. At East Carolina University®, we prepare you to advance your career and your impact with a flexible online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice program that fits into your life.

We’re dedicated to helping you finish your degree with hands-on learning opportunities that tackle key issues such as injustice and inequity in the criminal justice system. You’ll gain the skills today’s employers need to cultivate a safer and stronger society for everyone, all while making a monumental leap in your own career.

Are you ready to complete your degree? It’s time to experience ECU.

What You’ll Learn

ECU’s online BS in Criminal Justice is designed to give you a real-world skill set that leads to employment. During your time in the program, you’ll engage with key topics such as:

Applying evidence-based research into practice
Crime and criminality
Correctional systems
Principles of criminal law
Race, gender, and special populations in the criminal justice system
Issues and problems in criminal justice

Career Outcomes With a Criminal Justice Degree

A BS in Criminal Justice can prepare you for various career outcomes and advancement opportunities. Our graduates go on to work in positions such as:*

Criminal Intelligence Analyst

Average Annual Salary: $77,345

Criminal Investigator

Average Annual Salary: $66,976

Police Officer

Average Annual Salary: $60,505

Criminologist

Average Annual Salary: $57,192

Paralegal

Average Annual Salary: $52,947

Crime Scene Investigator

Median Annual Salary: $52,245

Juvenile Court Counselor

First-Year Salary: $45,422

Probation Officer

First-Year Salary: $44,099

*Salary data provided by Payscale

"Our mission is to educate the next generation of criminal justice leaders. We look at the roles our students are pursuing, then give them the tools they need to be successful in the workforce."

‐ Dr Heidi S. Bonner, Criminal Justice and Criminology Department Chair

Tuition and Financial Aid

$375 PER CREDIT HOUR

120 CREDIT HOURS*

*Transfer credits may reduce number of hours

FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

ECU online program tuition for in-state students is just $375 per credit hour plus fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition is $450 per credit hour plus fees. Active military stationed in North Carolina may be eligible for a lower tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. With transfer credits and financial aid, your bachelor’s degree is within reach.

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EXPERIENCED FACULTY

Expert faculty with proven experience in the field pass on real-world knowledge that can be immediately applied in your career.

CREATE YOUR OWN PATH

Our highly customizable curriculum allows you to choose classes that pique your interest and align with your career goals.

TRANSFER-FRIENDLY

You can transfer credits from coursework you’ve already completed and fast-track your path to a criminal justice degree.

BEYOND ACADEMICS

Our focus on individualized attention, student support, and career services ensures that you leave not only with academic proficiency but the tools for advancement.

TOP RANKED

ECU was ranked in the top 10 of America’s Top Online Colleges 2023 by Newsweek, meaning that you’ll graduate with a degree respected by employers nationwide.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ECU is more than a university—it’s a community. Even as an online student, you’ll benefit from a powerful network of peers and faculty who truly care about your success.

The next class start date is approaching. Don’t wait to apply!

Optional Minors and Internships to Focus on Your Learning

The BS in Criminal Justice offers two optional minors, Criminal Law and Legal Process & Criminology, so you can tailor your degree to your career goals. Plus, you’ll have the option to engage in an internship or field experience of your choosing to earn credit and expand your resume.

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Admissions

Online undergraduate students are required to have a minimum of 24 hours of transferable credits for admission. Students are evaluated under the transfer applicant criteria below:

A minimum of 24 hours of transferable college-level coursework (complete or in progress).
- Only courses with a grade of “C” or higher from regionally accredited institutions are eligible to transfer and can be used to gain admission.
- Students under the age of 21 will also be expected to meet NC High School Minimum Course Requirements and are required to submit a final high school transcript.
A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college-level coursework attempted.

Undergraduate Students Application Materials

A completed online application .
All official transcripts from each college, technical institute, or university attended, if applicable. Send transcripts to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Mail Stop 517
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-435

We also accept electronic transcripts from most transcript services. Please request to have them sent directly to transfer@ecu.edu .

Residency Determination

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) has been established by the North Carolina State Legislature as the centralized service for determining residency for students. If you are a student applying for admission and claiming in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must visit NCresidency.org NCresidency.org to verify your residency.

If you’ve already completed the residency verification process and obtained your Residency Certification Number (RCN), you can enter your RCN when filling out our application. If you do not already have your RCN, you may submit your application and then come back and enter your RCN once you have it.

For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s Residency page , or contact RDS at 1-844-319-3640 or rdsinfo@ncresidency.org .

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About ECU Online

ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and was the first university in North Carolina to offer online degrees. We’ve continued to enhance the online experience ever since. As an established institution in North Carolina, we pride ourselves on offering a student-first, community-centric experience that empowers graduates to complete their online degrees from a reputable institution that employers recognize.

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