Spotlight: Bryant & Stratton College Online Criminal Justice Programs

Choose from many criminal justice careers:

• Bailiff
• Border patrol guard
• Corrections officer
• Court clerk
• Detective
• Dispatch
• Federal agent
• Game warden
• Parole officer
• Police officer
• Safety officer
• Security guard
• Social services specialist
• Victims advocate

“Over its 150 years, Bryant & Stratton has become known for its outcomes-based, career-focused education delivered with a personal touch. Now we are bringing those same attributes to a new generation of students--the online student.“ -- Doreen Justinger, VP Internet Services

With over 150 years of history in providing quality college education, Bryant & Stratton College gives students with busy schedules an opportunity to earn online criminal justice degrees and advance their careers. In addition to your degree, you graduate with a career education that includes job coaching, a portfolio, interview preparation, and much more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports job opportunities in police work, probation, and corrections specialists--just a few of many careers in the field of criminal justice--to be excellent through 2016. Though qualifications vary by agency and by your career path, an associate's degree can help you become a more competitive candidate for many law enforcement, social services, and corrections positions. A bachelor's degree is usually required for job opportunities in probation, correctional case workers, or federal agencies.

Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice

If you're looking for a shorter degree program to help you establish yourself in the field of criminal justice and get your career started, consider an associate's degree. With a two-year degree, graduates are armed with both theory and practical knowledge to prepare them for entry-level jobs in law enforcement, human service agencies, correctional facilities, private security, juvenile agencies, and more. In addition to a core curriculum, you'll take the following criminal justice classes:

• Corrections
• Criminal Courts
• Criminal Law
• Criminology
• Ethics in the Criminal Justice Environment
• Policing

Through your coursework and interaction with your classmates and teachers, you may learn the following types of skills specific to the field of criminal justice:

• Apply fundamental operations and management theories
• Communicate effectively
• Recognize and resolve ethical issues
• Adhere to criminal law and procedures, including rules for evidence
• Understand and implement concepts of community-oriented policing and public laws
• Use information technology skills
• Manage both financial and human resources

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice

If you're looking for the opportunity for in-depth, advanced criminal justice studies, an online bachelor's degree from Bryant & Stratton College can help prepare you for a successful career quickly and conveniently.* The curriculum from the associate's degree program is expanded;through rigorous study you'll also learn these additional skills:

• Work ethically and efficiently in a variety of criminal justice environments
• Understand how administrative structures function
• Understand the similarities and differences between criminal justice environments
• Understand the different types of crime, including white-collar crime, cyber-crime, drugs, and terrorism

In addition to the associate's degree program courses, the bachelor's degree program includes:

• Comparative Criminal Justice
• Criminal Behavior
• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Criminal Procedure
• Community Corrections
• Ethical Dilemmas and Challenges in Criminal Justice
• Internship/Capstone Experience
• Juvenile Justice
• Terrorism and Homeland Security
• Victimology

Creative, Interactive Online Learning Experience

Bryant & Stratton College's approach to online learning uses innovative tools and multimedia to create a rich, integrated learning experience. Using an online classroom tool called ANGEL, you will be able to connect with your classmates and instructors with just one login. All of the class's assignments, written lectures, discussion topics, announcements, and more are just a click away.

Bryant & Stratton College focuses on four components to help you to get the most out of your online education:

• Interact: Discussion boards and integrated email make class participation and group projects a cinch.
• Learn: Through carefully selected textbooks, videos, and lectures from qualified teachers, you'll learn the requisite knowledge you need to pursue a career or further your education.
• Support: In addition to your teachers, you'll have access to tutors and a personal advisor. The virtual library and librarians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help whenever you need research questions answered
• Test: Your progress is easier to measure thanks to online tests, feedback from your teachers, and reports about your progress.

Another advantage of the online experience is the alternative structure of the semesters. Instead of a typical sixteen-week semester of four or more classes, Bryant & Stratton College arranges the academic year into six sessions so that you gain exposure to a wide variety of classes in seven and a half weeks. During these weeks, you'll be able to focus on each course without being overwhelmed.You'll have fresh, new material after just a couple of months.

Career Support and Preparation

Students at Bryant & Stratton College receive two types of core education: the classes to support you academically and the classes to support your career. The "Career Core" classes build strong workplace skills and include the following:

• Information literacy: Develop your research and analytics skills
• Critical thinking: Hone your creative problem-solving skills and receive coaching on how to demonstrate your abilities effectively
• Human relations: Learn to communicate in the business world and function within a team
• Career management: Prepare your cover letter and resume, practice interviewing, and receive tips for professional networking
• Capstone: Solve a real-world problem through collaborative teamwork

After mastering this career education, you'll be ready to take advantage of other Bryant & Stratton career resources, such as the Portfolio Interview Tool and Career Coaching. You'll receive support in setting career goals and a timeline, creating a professional marketing plan for yourself, and targeting jobs that fit your skills set. Each student is assigned a personal career coach and creates a leather-bound portfolio to display work projects and awards to potential employers.

Accreditation

Like all of Bryant & Stratton College's online degree programs, their associate's and bachelor's degrees in criminal justice are accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

*Note: This degree is not available to New York state residents.