Criminal Justice (BA) |Online
Cairn University’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is a Christ-centered program that equips students with a biblical worldview alongside practical knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, and restorative justice. Designed for aspiring police officers, probation officers, victim advocates, and ministry-focused professionals, the curriculum combines rigorous coursework, and ethical training rooted in Scripture. Earn your BA in Criminal Justice at Cairn University and prepare to serve with integrity in today’s complex justice system while integrating faith and vocation.
Why Criminal Justice BA?
This program addresses the processes of law enforcement, the legal system, and the penal/correctional system, and allows the student to select courses from related fields to deepen their studies in a particular area of interest. It also pointedly addresses issues of diversity, ethics, and biblical anthropology as they relate to the complexities of criminal justice.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to enter the world of law enforcement, as well as to pursue further academic study at the graduate level.
Why the BA in Criminal Justice from Cairn University?
Biblical Integration
Cairn University is committed to the centrality of Christ and the Word of God and is reflected in the curriculum and instruction.
Ready to Serve
The Cairn mission statement begins with education and ends with character, because we believe that education should change not only what you know, but who you are and what you do.
Experienced Faculty
Students don’t just have professors, they have mentors who invest in them throughout the program and often remain connected long after graduation.
Flexibility
Complete coursework anywhere through our asynchronous course design, reinforced by substantive faculty engagement.
Affordable Education
$425 per credit with financial aid options; NC-SARA approved meeting nationwide standards and matching the quality of the on-campus program.
Authentic Christian Community
Community is about more than simply taking classes together. It is more than having a similar experience.
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Get an inside look at our Criminal Justice Program
The BA in Criminal Justice program has been designed with input from our expert faculty in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ensuring you graduate with the in-demand skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. The program requires 60 credits from the core curriculum courses, 45 credits from the program requirements, and 15 credits from other electives.
Learn more:
Required Credits: 120
Core Curriculum Courses:
- BIB 103 – Biblical Foundations Credits: 3
- BIB 203 – Old Testament I: The Pentateuch Credits: 3
- BIB 204 – Old Testament II: Prophets and Writings Credits: 3
- BIB 303 – New Testament I: The Gospels Credits: 3
- BIB 304 – New Testament II: Acts, Letters, and Revelation Credits: 3
- COM 111 – Introduction to Communications Credits: 3
- ENG 101 – English Composition Credits: 3
- HIS 212 – Western Civilization Since the Renaissance Credits: 3
- HIS 302 – Global History of the Church Credits: 3
- INT 010 – First Year Experience Seminar Credits: 0
- MAT 131 – Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3
- PHI 301 – Philosophy Credits: 3
- POL 101 – US Government and Civics Credits: 3
- PSY 101 – General Psychology Credits: 3
- SOC 203 – Humanity and Culture Credits: 3
- THE 100 – Introduction to Christian Theology Credits: 3
- THE 302 – Biblical Perspectives on Contemporary Issues Credits: 3
- THE 311 – The Triune God Credits: 3
- THE 401 – Apologetics Credits: 3
Program Specific Courses
- CRJ 161 – Introduction to Crime and Criminology Credits: 3
- CRJ 162 – Policing and Criminal Justice Process Credits: 3
- CRJ 261 – Prison and Prisoners Credits: 3
- CRJ 361 – Contemporary Federal Law Enforcement Credits: 3
- CRJ 362 – Counterterrorism Credits: 3
- CRJ 366 – Criminal Law Credits: 3
- CRJ 461 – Policing and Global Diversity Credits: 3
- CRJ 462 – Cybercrime Credits: 3
- CRJ 491 – Senior Seminar Credits: 3
- PHI 432 – Ethics Credits: 3
- POL 221 – The Supreme Court and the Constitution Credits: 3
- POL 322 – Writing for Public Affairs Credits: 3
- POL 424 – Negotiations Credits: 3
- PSY 421 – Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
Learn more about the BA in Criminal Justice Program
Law school
Local, state and federal law enforcement
Adult and juvenile probation
Advocacy
Public policy and planning
Community organizing
All Cairn University students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University’s doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in the Foundational Statements. Below are the admission requirements:
- Application: Submit the Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code faithmatters and we will waive the fee.
- Transcripts: Order official transcripts for all conferred degrees to be sent to Cairn University.
Cairn University is regionally accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Cairn University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Additional Accreditation Information is available from this page.
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An Affordable Education
Cairn University strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by faculty not TAs. The tuition rates are posted on this page.
Cairn University also partners with many organizations and offers tuition discounts. Tuition discounts are also available for those working in Christian schools. Please contact us to find out if your organization has a partnership with Cairn University.
Additional information on scholarships, grants, and loans is available from this page.
Featured Faculty
Chris Lloyd
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chris Lloyd served as the Director of the Cairn University Office of Safety and Security from 2009-2022. Prior to this position, Lloyd worked with his alma mater, Villanova University, and Bucks County Community College in various Safety and Security Administrative roles. In addition to his role of Safety and Security Director, Chris Lloyd teaches undergraduate Criminal Justice courses at Cairn, drawing on his education and vocational experience in the field.
Greg Schaller
Chair, Social Sciences Department, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
In addition to teaching politics courses at the University, Greg Shaller is the president of The John Jay Institute, a one year program that “prepares principled leaders for faith-informed public service.” Greg previously served as associate professor of politics at Colorado Christian University, where he taught from the fall of 2009 until May of 2017. At Colorado Christian, Greg developed a political science major in the fall of 2011, which now has over 45 students in it.
Additionally, Greg is a fellow at the Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s public policy think-tank. His work with the Centennial Institute includes writing for their blog and in their monthly policy review, The Centennial Review. He also assists with the planning and coordination of the Centennial Institute’s Western Conservative Summit, a summer conference which is attended by over 3,000 people annually.
Greg has also taught at Villanova University and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is pursuing his PhD at the University of South Dakota.
Cairn Online Frequently Asked Questions
Our program is intentionally grounded in God’s Word. Courses are thoughtfully designed by Cairn faculty to promote deep learning and active engagement through instructor-led instruction, research-driven activities, active learning, and meaningful interactions with peers and faculty. At Cairn, the students’ education and experience is designed to shape Christian character, cultivate wisdom, and prepare them to think, live, and serve biblically in an ever-changing world.
All courses, except the research courses, are structured in seven units and delivered in accelerated 7-week terms.
Each unit contains 5–7 modular activities, including:
- Assigned readings and reading reflections
- Instructional videos from Cairn faculty
- Active learning activities
- Weekly application projects
- A component of the ongoing course research project
Faculty also schedule a few optional Zoom sessions throughout the term to connect with students and address questions.
Faculty are actively involved throughout the week—guiding learning activities, leading asynchronous discussions, grading work, and delivering personalized feedback. Online students also receive priority technical support and have access to valuable resources from the Masland Library and the Writing Lab.
Except for the Hebrew and Greek language courses for the B.S. in Biblical Studies program, typically there are no required meeting times for the completing the course activities.
Cairn is approved to offer financial aid because of its regional accreditation. There are many options available and typically students qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Many students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degree even more affordable. Cairn offers a variety of scholarships and discounts in addition to options for loans and grants. Please refer to this page for details.