Overview

Criminal justice studies at SIUE is a multidisciplinary degree making a wide variety of occupations accessible to our graduates. Students explore the major institutions of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, and the judiciary and correctional systems from probation through incarceration. While pursuing a degree, you will:

Study theories about crime and delinquency
Examine racial dynamics
Wrestle with questions about effectiveness
Evaluate the empirical causes of crime

A growing number of criminal justice jobs require a four-year degree, and a bachelor’s degree can open the door to career advancement or promotion. Taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, online courses offer a convenient and affordable option for students to complete their bachelor’s degree while studying from home.

Our accelerated combined degree program allows qualified students to earn graduate credit for select courses completed during their bachelor’s program, putting you on the fast track to a master’s degree.

What do students say about the criminal justice online degree program?

"I am a transfer student and this is my first semester at SIUE. I could not be more pleased with the curriculum and accessibility of the online criminal justice program. The staff and advisors have made the transition stress free. I am so glad I made the choice to continue my education at SIUE."

-Alexandria Bryant

Program Format

100% online courses
Offered in three-, five- and eight-week terms

Students will have a consistent learning platform and format to ensure seamless transition from course to course. Instructors and professors are readily available and experienced in their field of expertise and online learning practices. Courses will build in content and concepts and are structured in a purposeful sequence.

What can I do with a degree in criminal justice studies?

In recent years, career opportunities in fields linked with criminal justice have shown steady growth. While some jobs do not require a four-year degree, many do, and a degree almost always improves a person’s chances for promotions and other career advancement. Because the criminal justice program at SIUE rests on a strong academic foundation, a wide variety of occupations will be accessible to its graduates.

There are a wide range of other positions that include working to prevent crime and delinquency, working to repair lives that are touched by crime, and so much more. You can see a partial listing of the variety of jobs open to you below.

Law Enforcement
Courts/Law
Corrections
Federal Agencies
State and Local Agencies

Additional Resources

For further research on employment opportunities, this resource profiles nearly 75 criminal justice career options.
Looking for your next job? USAJOBS is a great place to start looking and applying.
Check out 101 Resources for the Criminal Justice job hunt.

Law Enforcement

Police Officer
Dispatcher
Border Patrol Agent
Crime Scene Technician Crime Lab Technician
Community Policing
Police Administration
Customs Agent
Detention Officer
Detective
Sheriff
Gaming Enforcement Officer
Gang Crimes Investigator
Jailer
K-9 Handler
Water Patrol
Forensic Scientist
Narcotics Officer
Polygraph Examiner
SWAT Officer
School Liaison
Psychologist/Psychiatrist
Undercover Officer

Courts/Law

Arbitration
Prosecutor
Public Defender
Defense Attorney
Bailiff
Background Investigator
Court Clerk
Court Reporter
Law Clerk
Legal Research
Paralegal
Victim Restitution Programs
Process Server
Sentencing Analyst
Courthouse Security
Judge
Magistrate
Attorney
Probation Officer
Parole Officer
Bondsman

Corrections

Correctional Officer
Correctional Counselor
Juvenile Detention Officer
Juvenile Worker
Psychiatrist/Psychologist
Health Systems Administration
Food Service
Correctional Administration
Vocational Specialist
Transport Officer
Personnel
Trainer
Recreational Specialist
Public Relations Officer
Community Corrections Worker
Probation and Parole Officer

Federal Agencies

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
U.S. Secret Service
U.S. Marshall’s Service
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
U.S. Custom’s Service Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS)
U.S. Border Patrol
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
U.S. Postal Inspector’s Service
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Mint Police
Government Printing Service Police
Central Intelligence Agency’s Special Protective Service
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Probation Officers
Department of Agriculture Investigator
Department of Labor Investigator
Military Police
Military JAG Corps
Environmental Protection Agency

State and Local Agencies

State Highway Patrol
State Agency Investigators
State Fire Marshall
Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff
Municipal Police Officers
Detectives

Additional training and certification may be required after securing employment in law enforcement as well as federal, state and local agencies.

Tuition and Fees

$430.75/credit hour = tuition, fees and textbook rental!

New undergraduate students receive a guaranteed tuition rate for four continuous academic years.

Credit Hours	Tuition and Fees*
1	$430.75
3	$1,292.25
6	$2,584.50
9	$3,876.75
12	$5,169.00

*Tuition and fees are based on fall 2024 enrollment. Visit the tuition and fees estimator to calculate costs for additional credit hours. Fully online students are not required to pay for housing, meal plan, student health insurance or parking. Textbook rental is included with general student fees, but additional shipping charges may apply for off-campus delivery and return.

Financial Aid

Students may qualify for grants and loans. Apply for financial aid by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. You must identify SIUE as one of your schools of choice using Federal School Code 001759. Some awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You should start the financial aid process at least 30 days before courses begin. Learn more about the financial aid process.

The Office of Military and Veteran Services helps students and families with military and veteran benefits.

Contact

Call 618-650-5832 or click the "I'm Interested" button to learn more. We look forward to working with you as you pursue a bachelor's degree. Students without an associate degree or 60 credit hours are encouraged to contact us, so we can develop a plan for meeting degree requirements.