Bachelor of Professional Arts Major in Criminal Justice

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, Criminal Justice Major 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 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.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

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.

• Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU
• Contact the program coordinator for more information about PLAR in the criminal justice program

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.

• Requirements: Bachelor of Professional Arts, Criminal Justice 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.

• Program plan: Criminal Justice Major

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.

In addition, applicants must also complete AU’s English Language Assessment (ELA) prior to being enrolled in the program.

To self-enrol in the English Language Assessment, please follow the steps below:

• Click this link: https://mais.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/quiz/view.php?id=55054
• Under "Self-enrol with Key," enter the enrolment key: ela22bpa
• Click "Enrol me."
• Click "Quiz."
• Click "Attempt quiz now" at the bottom of the page.

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.

• Calculate your course cost

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

Continuing education

At Athabasca University:

• Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education
• Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling
• Post-Master's Certificate in Counselling

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.