Online Degree Program at Anderson University

About Anderson University Online

Anderson University Online's Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree builds upon the strong foundation provided by an associate's degree program in Criminal Justice. Anderson's program complements and furthers the skills already attained by persons working in a variety of positions in law enforcement, corrections, probation and other related fields. Students must transfer in at least 27-33 semester hours of Criminal Justice courses taken in an associate degree program, such as one taught in South Carolina 's Technical Colleges. Upper level courses in social and behavioral sciences, as well as advanced courses in Criminal Justice, strengthen graduates' abilities to relate to and interact with the people they serve.

Why Choose Anderson University Online?

The online program at Anderson University offers a series of benefits to students. A few of these benefits include:

• Accredited College - Anderson University receives its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  Therefore, as each student nears graduation, they work toward the completion of a prestigious, accredited degree. 
• High Quality Instruction - Online courses are held to the same level of excellence and academic standards as traditional courses.
  • Courses are taught by quality-trained, full-time professors from a variety of academic fields.
• 24/7/365 Tech Support - To assure accuracy and efficiency, Anderson University's online campus is monitored by a 24/7/365 tech support line.
• Flexibility and Convenience - Online instruction enables students to fashion course work around their schedules.
• No need to take days off from work or sacrifice time with family; classes fit into students' lives.
• Explore a new career or earn a higher degree while maintaining a busy schedule.
• Financial Aid Available - Classes are offered at an affordable rate, and financial assistance is provided to all that qualify.
• Dedication to the Community - Anderson University strives to be a premier teaching university, where liberal arts and professional studies thrive within a distinctively Christian community of faculty, staff and students dedicated to learning and service.
• Prestigious reputation - Anderson University combines the best of the liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community.

What are the Requirements for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCRJ) Degree?

The BCRJ degree consists of the following components:

General Education (42-43 semester hours) - courses in communications, humanities, fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics that are common in all college degree programs. These courses make up the liberal arts component of the degree and are foundational to the upper division courses.

CRJ Core from associate degree program (27-33 semester hours) - courses in law enforcement, corrections, security, probation, etc. that were taken at an institution awarding an associate degree in Criminal Justice. (Students transferring in 27-32 semester hours of CRJ courses must have take additional courses in sociology, psychology or political science that would bring the total hours in this category to 33.)

Major Requirements (36 semester hours) - courses that include 18 semester hours of Criminal Justice, communications and social sciences, as well as 18 semester hours of courses numbered 300 and above in social and/or behavioral sciences.

General Electives (12 semester hours) - hours that permit students to take additional courses in other subjects that interest them and that may prove helpful in their career field.

Note: A maximum of 64 semester hours of transfer credit will be accepted from an institution at which the highest degree awarded is the associate degree.

Experience the Online Community at Anderson University

Anderson University is an academic community affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. It provides a challenging liberal arts education enhanced by professional and graduate programs and a co-curricular focus on character development, servant leadership and cultural engagement. 

Online instruction and distance learning programs have made a lasting impression on the field of higher education. As more working professionals earn higher degrees and certifications through online programs, the need for quality online education expands. At Anderson University, the expanding distance learning program is focused on the needs of its students.  

Designed for busy adults, each student brings their own variety of life and work experiences to the table.  What students come to find is that they learn from other students. Not to mention, online instruction enables students to freely express their opinions and ideas with ease, creating a friendly experience of open interchange. 

Most online classes are taught by full-time Anderson University faculty who also teach in the traditional day program.  Adjunct professors are carefully selected by their level of expertise.  Therefore, regardless of whether a class is taught by a full-time faculty member or an adjunct instructor, Anderson University students can trust that their professor has a strong academic background and a clear understanding of practical applications in the workplace.

At the heart of the Anderson program is an uncompromising commitment to the liberal arts as a means of instilling students with the breadth and depth of knowledge they need to be successful in all realms of life -in family, community, work and church.