Criminal Justice Degrees

Earning an interdisciplinary major in criminal justice at Grand Canyon University can benefit you by teaching you how to apply humanities and investigative skills to governmental concepts and practices — both ethically and effectively.

Blend Your Passion for Liberal Arts and Science

Protecting the safety of our communities and the rights of our fellow citizens are at the heart of our country’s justice system. If you want a career that is focused on serving and protecting others, a major in criminal justice from GCU can help set you on the right educational path to pursue your career goals in the following areas:

  • Government and public administration
  • Criminal justice
  • Forensic science
  • Social work

28,700

Estimated number of new jobs to open for police and detectives from 2023 to 20331

16,400

Estimated number of new jobs to open for social and community service managers from 2023 to 20332

Get More Information

Discover criminal justice degree programs that can help you start your journey toward a career serving communities.

 

Learn To Initiate Change and Safety for Diverse Populations

GCU provides all students with a Christian-driven curriculum founded on these key competencies:

  • Innovative thinking
  • Effective communication
  • Transformative leadership
  • Global contribution

When pursuing a criminal justice degree, you will have the opportunity to gain foundational skills in diplomacy for the diverse individuals and communities you will serve.

View Degree Programs by Level

Degrees in Criminal Justice vs. Legal Studies

Criminal justice majors and legal studies programs can lead to similar careers paths, but it is important to learn the differences between the two fields. If you’re unsure which degree program is best suited for your career goals, view the criminal justice majors below and visit our legal studies page to see your degree options in both fields at GCU.

Accredited and Respected Programs From GCU

Female government degree graduate smiling for headshot

GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. As a major in criminal justice, you will receive a quality education taught by faculty who are knowledgeable in their fields.

Choose From Campus or Online Programs

GCU offers campus or online degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. If you have an interest in addressing critical issues within the criminal justice field, explore our undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in various areas.

GCU’s Commitment to Affordable Education

Female financial aid representative meeting with female GCU student in office

GCU is a private, Christian university that is committed to providing high-achieving students with access to an affordable education. Financing your major in criminal justice is an investment in your future, and GCU is here to help you get started on your degree with these convenient cost-estimating tools and resources:

Approx. $140 Million

In scholarships for online students in 2023

Approx. $176 Million

In scholarships received by campus students in 2024

Types of Criminal Justice Degrees at GCU

You can pursue government related degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral levels. There are programs offered in government and public administration, criminal justice and social work.

Bachelor’s Degrees

GCU offers flexible bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, public administration and social work to help build foundational skills for public service careers.

Three female criminal justice degree students smiling with report at GCU senior showcase event

Master’s Degrees

Our graduate degrees in criminal justice and legal studies offer advanced training in leadership, legal analysis and public policy.

Male and female MS in Criminal Justice degree students walking in GCU hallway

Certificate Programs

GCU offers post-master’s certificates in various criminal justice specialties to enhance learning in your area of interest.

Female criminal justice certificate student working on laptop outside at GCU

Career Possibilities After Graduation

If you’re already in law enforcement and looking to deepen your expertise, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can provide valuable knowledge and skills to support your professional development. GCU’s online Master of Public Administration (MPA) offers specializations in government and policy, healthcare management and nonprofit management, designed to help you prepare for positions, such as:

  • Chief executive
  • City manager
  • Legislator
  • Social and community manager
  • General and operations manager

A benefit to earning a criminal justice degree at GCU is the option to specialize in an area that fits your personal interests. Focus your justice studies program with one of our emphasis options:

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more by reading our answers to common questions about criminal justice, government, social work and public administration degrees.

Yes, criminal justice is considered a social science, as it explores human behavior, societal structures and the impact of laws and policies. While not all of our programs are classified as social science degrees, our criminal justice, legal studies and public administration programs draw on social science principles to help you prepare for careers in law enforcement, public safety and legal fields.

Public administration professionals focus on leadership and managing public agencies, policies and programs. Criminal justice professionals study the legal and justice systems, exploring their impact on individuals and communities. While both fields involve leadership, public administration is more policy-focused, while criminal justice centers on law enforcement and legal processes.

A legal studies program focuses on law, public policy and justice administration. Whereas a major in criminal justice examines how law enforcement agencies, court systems and the corrections system are organized, as well as how they function and what issues are prevalent within these systems. Students who plan to attend law school may benefit from either a legal studies program or a justice studies major.

When applying to a criminal justice graduate program, you’ll need strong critical thinking, research and communication skills. A solid grasp of criminological theories and the justice system is important, along with the ability to apply this knowledge practically. Program requirements can vary by college but GCU’s criminal justice graduate programs typically require a bachelor's degree, GPA and transcripts to apply. Time management, organizational skills and a commitment to ethical decision-making are also key for handling the demands of the program.

At GCU, you can choose between a master’s in criminal justice with an emphasis in legal studies or in law enforcement. Although neither degree requires any math courses, both programs have a course in research methods that involves statistical analysis.

Yes, online criminal justice degree programs are generally respected, particularly those offered by accredited institutions like GCU. Our university is institutionally accredited and our online programs meet the same rigorous academic standards as our on-campus counterparts. The skills and knowledge acquired by graduates are often more important factors than the specific mode of delivery.

1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Aug. 29, 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives, retrieved on Nov. 4, 2024.

2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020-2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Aug. 29, 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved on Nov. 4, 2023.

Grand Canyon University’s campus and online criminal justice programs offer flexibility and an opportunity for quality education to help you in the government and legal fields.