ECU Online: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Flight Path Program

Curriculum & Courses

Criminal justice is a widely applicable and important major that requires strong communication and people skills, which we foster in our curriculum. The BS degree requires 120 total credit hours, which includes 40 hours of general education courses, 18 hours of core courses, 33 hours of criminal justice electives, and 29 hours of minor or general elective courses.

At least 50% of core courses and 25% of the degree must be completed at ECU Online. Second-degree students are waived from General Education and Minor or General Elective requirements.

Keep in mind that as a degree completion program, we accept transfer credits, which may significantly reduce your required hours to graduate. The required criminal justice courses include the following: 

Core Criminal Justice Courses - 18 credit hours

CRIM 1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice Law enforcement, courts, and correctional systems.

CRIM 2004 – Crime and Criminality Examination of crime causation and crime policies.

CRIM 3700 – Special Populations in the Criminal Justice System Issues and problems related to varied communities within the criminal justice system.

CRIM 3800 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice Data collection and the techniques used in the process of criminal justice research.

CRIM 3900 – Introductory Statistics for Criminal Justice Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for criminal justice research.

CRIM 4500 – Issues and Problems in Criminal Justice In-depth examination of policy issues and ethical dilemmas confronting the different sectors of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections).

Criminal Justice Electives - 33 credit hours

Criminology (6 credit hours, choose two):

CRIM 3003 – Drugs and Crime Crime and criminality in relation to substance use and abuse.

CRIM 3400 – Introduction to Victimology Role of victims in crime and criminal justice.

CRIM 3605 – White-Collar Crime Nature and extent of white-collar crime, focusing on harmful and criminal acts by individuals and corporations.

CRIM 4005 – Organized Crime Comparison of organized criminal behavior around the world, including structural aspects, activities conducted, and criminal justice responses.

Justice Systems (6 credit hours, choose two):

CRIM 2009 – Corrections in the United States United States of America correctional system, including the history, development, and operations of correctional facilities, and the various types and purposes of criminal punishment.

CRIM 2012 – Police and Society Historical and contemporary role and function of law enforcement organizations in the U.S., including the influence of political, economic, and social conditions.

CRIM 3007 – Criminal Investigation Fundamentals of criminal investigation including the gathering of investigative information from victims and witnesses, the search and recording of crime scenes, and the principles of collecting and preserving physical evidence.

CRIM 3112 – Advanced Seminar in Law Enforcement In-depth examination of the role of police in United States society, with a focus on ethics and accountability.

CRIM 3200 – The Juvenile Justice System Juvenile court, juvenile delinquency, and delinquency prevention.

CRIM 3503 – Courts and Judicial Process History, structure, and functions of the United States of America court system. Detailed examination of the roles, responsibilities and discretionary authority of court actors, and of court processes including pretrial, trial, and post-trial procedures including plea bargaining and appellate procedures.

CRIM 3620 – Homeland Security Examination of homeland security in the United States, including apparatus, preparedness, and role of criminal justice.

CRIM 4006 – Community Corrections Recent developments, purposes, and effectiveness of community-based corrections programs, such as probation, parole, house arrest, electronic monitoring, and others.

Writing Intensive Course (3 credit hours):

CRIM 3501 – Criminal Procedure Rules and procedures governing criminal justice process from arrest through sentencing, including concepts of due process and rights given to prisoners.

CRIM 4300 – Criminal Justice Organizational Roles and Leadership Management principles, supervision, and leadership as applied to criminal justice organizations.

Criminal Justice courses above 2999 (18 credit hours):

Note: courses not chosen in Criminology or Justice Systems areas may be used to complete the requirement.

CRIM 3003 – Drugs and Crime Crime and criminality in relation to substance use and abuse.

CRIM 3007 – Criminal Investigation Fundamentals of criminal investigation including the gathering of investigative information from victims and witnesses, the search and recording of crime scenes, and the principles of collecting and preserving physical evidence.

CRIM 3112 – Advanced Seminar in Law Enforcement In-depth examination of the role of police in United States society, with a focus on ethics and accountability.

CRIM 3200 – The Juvenile Justice System Juvenile court, juvenile delinquency, and delinquency prevention.

CRIM 3400 – Introduction to Victimology Role of victims in crime and criminal justice.

CRIM 3500 – Principles of Criminal Law Nature, sources, and types of criminal law, as well as specific criminal offenses, liability, and defenses.

CRIM 3501 – Criminal Procedure Rules and procedures governing criminal justice process from arrest through sentencing, including concepts of due process and rights given to incarcerated individuals.

CRIM 3503 – Courts and Judicial Process History, structure, and functions of the United States of America court system. Detailed examination of the roles, responsibilities and discretionary authority of court actors, and of court processes including pretrial, trial, and post-trial procedures including plea bargaining and appellate procedures.

CRIM 3605 – White-Collar Crime Nature and extent of white-collar crime, focusing on harmful and criminal acts by individuals and corporations.

CRIM 3620 – Homeland Security Examination of homeland security in the United States, including apparatus, preparedness, and role of criminal justice.

CRIM 4005 – Organized Crime Comparison of organized criminal behavior around the world, including structural aspects, activities conducted, and criminal justice responses.

CRIM 4006 – Community Corrections Recent developments, purposes, and effectiveness of community-based corrections programs, such as probation, parole, house arrest, electronic monitoring, and others.

CRIM 4300 – Criminal Justice Organizational Roles and Leadership Management principles, supervision, and leadership as applied to criminal justice organizations.

CRIM 4602 – Gender-Based Violence Critical examination of the crimes of, and criminal justice response to, domestic violence and sexual assault.