Criminal Justice (BAS)
Bachelor of Applied Science
Develop critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills needed for career advancement in the fields of criminal justice, including corrections, courts, policing and private security.
- Entirely online
- Start in Fall, Spring, or Summer terms
- Apply today!
Features
Entirely Online | 60 Credits
- A seamless pathway to a four-year bachelor's degree with part-time and full-time study options
- Career opportunities - designed to provide a solid background for career advancement in the criminal justice field
- An applied approach - building critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills
- Dedicated, full-time staff to help you plan your courses and secure internships
- Designed for community college graduates with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree
- Associate of Applied Science Degree from an accredited institution - UNI will accept up to 65 transferable units of credit.
- or a minimum of 24 hours of completed undergraduate credit from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
To graduate, students must have 120 units of credit including applicable transferable credit and a minimum of 60 UNI credits.
Questions? As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more. Additionally, your classes will be taught by the same distinguished, full-time faculty who teach on campus.
 | Gayle Rhineberger Professor Criminal Justice Program Coordinator 319-273-3245 |
 | Jamie Anderson Enrollment Contact 319-273-7206 |
If you have an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, we also offer an online Individual Studies: Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts degree. Contact Gayle Rhineberger for more information.
Request Information
Delivered Entirely online
Courses are offered asynchronously online (no set class times) via Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and sense of community with classmates. Some courses may also use Zoom.
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Enter a variety of careers in criminal justice and juvenile justice, including corrections, courts, policing, and private security
- Effectively use their improved writing and communication skills
- Utilize critical thinking skills in professional environments
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Delivered Entirely online
Courses are offered asynchronously online (no set class times) via Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and sense of community with classmates. Some courses may also use Zoom.
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Enter a variety of careers in criminal justice and juvenile justice, including corrections, courts, policing, and private security
- Effectively use their improved writing and communication skills
- Utilize critical thinking skills in professional environments
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Future Ready Scholarships available
Through the UNI at Iowa Community Colleges (UNI@IACC) initiative, students in this program may qualify to receive a scholarship covering the difference between community college and UNI tuition. To be eligible, you must complete the FAFSA and meet income and academic eligibility criteria. Scholarship requirements include:
- an associate's degree or 24+ credits from an Iowa Community College
- a GPA of 2.0 or higher and be admissible to UNI
- submitting the FAFSA, demonstrating financial need, as defined by the American Rescue Plan
Completing the FAFSA will allow UNI to potentially reduce or eliminate a student's remaining balance through other forms of financial aid, based on availability.
Next Steps
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Apply Now
When applying, you'll need to submit unofficial transcript, which includes your AAS degree, sent directly to the Office of Admissions
This program offers three start terms per year -- Spring, Summer, and Fall!
Contact Us
Our team of support staff is available to help you throughout your UNI journey.
Contact us at 319-273-7206 or online@uni.edu for assistance.
Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.
Rodell Jones
"I'll say that once I come out of this experience, I'll be able to do anything, I don't think that there's anything that I wouldn't be able to deal with. {My advice for prospective students is] don't look at your age and say, ‘Oh, well, I'm too old to go back to school’ because I went to school at the age I was supposed to go, but unfortunately life got in the way of that. Age does not affect whether you should go back to school or not. It's all in your goals and what it is that you're trying to do."
Class of Summer 2023, Criminal Justice BAS
Brody Miller
"Being a full-time detention officer and a volunteer firefighter/EMT, trying to find additional time to further my education, in addition to my home life, would be impossible without the online BAS program. This online program allows for you to plan and work towards your degree on your own time, working around daily events/tasks. The UNI Criminal Justice professors focus on finding unique avenues for students to form connections and relationships with their peers through Zoom sessions, group projects, discussion sessions, and the option of reaching out to students directly."
Class of 2023, Criminal Justice BAS