
Criminal Justice
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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Gain insight into the criminal justice system with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. South University’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice program is designed to build a foundation of skills in this field of study, preparing you for entry-level positions. In South University’s criminal justice courses, topics include response by police, courts and corrections, crime and violence, ethical concerns, theoretical and applied criminal justice, causes of crime, and the process of adjudicating criminal cases. If you want to learn how to serve justice, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice may be right for you*.
Please note: While you may be able to take some general education courses at this campus, all other courses, including specialized courses, will be taken online.
*South University does not promise or guarantee employment.
Admission Requirements
General Undergraduate Admission Requirements
To be admitted to any of the undergraduate programs at South University, the prospective student must provide proof of high school graduation as recognized by the state of residence on the date the degree was earned, or the equivalent (e.g. GED with no single test score below 145 or numeric score equivalent to 2.0 on old version or state-issued certificate designated as the equivalent of a High School Diploma) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The prospective student must also complete the university administered placement tests prior to the start of the first quarter for campus students and during the first session of attendance for online students. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation. Credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service. Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.
Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may meet admissions requirements by submitting a minimum combined SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) score of 700 or 900 on the old SAT, a combined ACT score of 18, or a satisfactory score on the university-administered admissions examination (see the Admissions Office) or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.
Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 CGPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.
To facilitate the admissions process, unofficial documentation, such as copies of transcripts or grade reports, may be used to determine admission status. Transfer status cannot be designated, however, without some verifying documentation. Admissions test scores on university administered entrance exams will not be accepted from other universities. Prospective students must take a University administered admission exam, like the Accuplacer, at South University.
A student's failure to provide acceptable verification of proof of high school graduation within 5*/10 weeks of his or her start date will result in the following
- Removal from class
- Cancellation of enrollment
- No final course grades
- No transcript
NOTES: Students who do not provide proof of high school graduation within the 5*/10-week period will not be responsible for any tuition and related fees.
South University may grant exceptions to the 5*/10-week period for unusual situations or circumstances. All exceptions must be submitted to the office of the University Registrar for approval.
Please see the policy on GPA Calculation for Admission for additional information
*Effective March 22, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Montgomery campus or High Point Off Campus Instructional Site will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective April 1, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Richmond and West Palm Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective May 31, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Tampa and Orlando campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective July 12, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Austin and Columbia campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective August 16, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Savannah and Virginia Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.
Course Requirements
Transfer students may transfer any course to help fulfill the elective pool requirements, provided the course meets the standards of the Credit for Transcripted and Non-Transcripted Work policy found in the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.
Non-transfer students, with their advisor's consultation and approval may choose courses from any department recommended and listed course or more broadly from any course offered by South University. Work from other fields must include any required prerequisite courses in the elective field.
A course can be used to meet only one requirement in Area I, Area II, or Area III, but not simultaneously in two areas. Students should work with their academic advisor or counselor to be sure they are making appropriate course choices.
Courses may be seleted from this list to apply to Area II Foundation Requirements
(campus-based only)
(campus-based only)
(campus-based only)
Acceptance into a South University Criminal Justice program or its completion does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain employment in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole or related fields. The student should contact the national, state or local agency/institution in which the student intends to gain employment for specific requirements and the application process.
Outcomes
Offered at Austin, Columbia, Montgomery, Online Programs, Richmond, Savannah, Tampa, Virginia Beach, and West Palm Beach.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree program is designed to give students broad perspectives on the causes of crime and critical insights to the functions of the components of the criminal justice system.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of skills in the areas of theoretical and applied criminal justice as well as in principles and practices to effectively solve a variety of field-based problems.
- Understand the causes of crime and delinquency, the process of adjudicating criminal cases, and the major components of the criminal justice system.
- Demonstrate effective communication and ethical skills as applied to the discipline.
- Develop the techniques to effectively interpret and make use of research methodology and to apply scientific reasoning to the study of crime and justice.
Courses in the program deal with crime, violence, and other forms of deviance and the responses to these problems by police, courts, and corrections; contemporary criminal justice issues; and ethical concerns and research. Students in the criminal justice program have the opportunity to receive preparation for further study in graduate or professional schools as well as to seek entry-level positions in the criminal justice system upon graduation.
Career Outlook
Students in the criminal justice program receive excellent preparation for further study in graduate or professional schools as well as for entry-level careers in the criminal justice system.What's New
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Campuses offer flexible learning formats including:
on-campus, virtual instructions and online courses.
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Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers
We're committed to helping our graduates make an impact in their professional and personal lives. We applaud our alumni and the difference they make. Check out what some of our Criminal Justice & Legal Studies graduates have to say.