Program overview
Criminal justice systems are complex and require an understanding of crime as well as the institutions and professionals that operate within these systems. Athabasca University's Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice will teach you to think critically about criminal justice policies and practices.
Whether you’ve just earned your diploma or have several years of experience in the criminal justice field, this program is for you. You will get advanced education in areas such as
- community policing
- youth justice
- cross-cultural awareness
- organized crime
- victims of crime
- managing family violence
- law and policing
You will also learn more about
- the adult and youth justice systems
- criminal justice policies, procedures and programs
- the roles of criminal justice professionals (such as law enforcement) and other stakeholders (such as victims and offenders)
Taking this degree-completion program can support career advancement and continued education at the graduate level.
Why take the Bachelor of Professional Arts?
AU’s Bachelor of Professional Arts (BPA) program lets you turn your diploma into a degree while still being able to work and meet personal commitments. You bring your knowledge and professional experience, and we bring you the wider context, including relevant theories and issues.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 2 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Admission requirements
The BPA is designed for students who have completed an approved 2-year diploma or equivalent from an accredited college or institute of technology. You can also apply to the program with a combination of post-secondary education and related work experience.
You will be considered a pre-program student until your admission requirements are confirmed. You can still take courses during this time.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.
Transfer and advanced credit
If you have significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). You can use PLAR credits either toward program entry, if you don’t have a related diploma, or toward program requirements, which could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.
You must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.
Program requirements
To complete the program you will need to complete the common core courses of the Bachelor of Professional Arts, plus those specific to your major.
Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Note:
- Preparatory (100) level courses are not permitted in this program.
- Program allows a maximum of 12 credits at the Junior (200) level.
- Program requires a minimum of 18 credits at the 400 level.
Required courses
Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following links:
Tuition and fees
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.
Program learning outcomes
Graduates from the Bachelor of Professional Arts-Criminal Justice (BPA-CRJS) program should
- Describe the tripartite structure of the criminal justice system (the courts, the police, and corrections).
- Examine the policy, adjudication, and rehabilitation functions of the criminal justice system.
- Analyze the differences in and interactions between the adult and youth justice systems.
- Identify ethical issues in criminal justice research and work.
- Evaluate psychological and sociological theories of crime and social deviance.
- Evaluate the theories and research that underpin correctional treatment programs.
- Analyze research methodologies that inform criminal justice research and practice recognizing the limits of these methodologies and of one’s knowledge and ability to make sound judgements and recommendations.
Program Goals
This program is intended to attract not only newly graduated diploma students but also those with several years of experience. The general program goals are to
- provide graduates with the critical-thinking skills, administrative skills, and advanced education in areas such as community policing, cross-cultural awareness, the environment, organized crime, managing family violence, and law and policing that are needed by police, corrections, security and other enforcement officers.
- afford increased areas of employment and advancement in the criminal justice field for police officers, corrections officers, court officers and private security officers.
Possible career options
- Police Officer
- Customs Officer
- Canadian Intelligence Officer
- Military Police Officer
- Correctional Officer
- Parole Officer
- Probation Officer
- Crime Analyst
- Policy Analyst (provincial and federal solicitor general departments)
- Private/Corporate Investigator
- Youth Worker (young offenders)
- Special Constable (solicitor general/justice/municipal departments)
Continuing education
At Athabasca University:
At Other Educational Institutions*
- graduate studies: master in criminology, sociology
- education
- law
- journalism
* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other universities.