Bachelor of Science in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies
DURATION
120 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 443 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per credit hour
Introduction
As larger prison populations strain state budgets, the criminal justice system is shifting focus from containment to rehabilitation. These changes bring a variety of rewarding career opportunities in corrections and juvenile justice. While the demand for highly qualified individuals to manage and supervise the nation’s prison population remains high, there is an increasing need for professionals focused on offender rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Eastern Kentucky University is a recognized leader in criminal justice programming and provides one of the few degrees in the nation devoted to adult corrections and juvenile justice. Whether you are starting a new career or want to advance in your current one, EKU’s online corrections and juvenile justice programs could be the first step to reaching your goals.
What sets our program apart?
Focusing on rehabilitation and proven best practices, EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as rehabilitation strategies for adults and juvenile offenders, the juvenile justice system, criminal justice, ethics, and perspectives on crime and delinquency.
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- Courses begin 6 times per year
- Generous credit transfer policy
- Reduced tuition for active duty service members
- No campus visits required
- Law enforcement officers that have completed Kentucky's DOCJT training can receive 9 hours of college credit
- Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Study anytime, from anywhere
- A dynamic, supportive learning environment
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Grants
Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.
Grants are available at the federal and state level.
Private Loans
Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.
The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.
Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.
Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.
Military Benefits
For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.
If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Foundation Scholarships
EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.
After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.
Curriculum
Core Courses --- 21
- COR 201 --- Introduction to Corrections --- 3
- COR 311 --- Juvenile Justice System --- 3
- COR 360 --- Rehabilitation Strategies for Adult and Juvenile Offenders --- 3
- CRJ 313 --- Criminal Justice Ethics --- 3
- CRJ 331 --- Perspectives on Crime and Delinquency --- 3
- CRJ 388 --- Criminal Justice Research --- 3
- CRJ 400 --- Applied Criminal Justice Analysis --- 3
Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies Electives --- 18
Together with your advisor, select from CRJ 490 or CRJ 490W, Capstone Course in Criminal Justice (3 hours), and any upper-division COR courses (15 hours).
Supporting Course Requirements --- 6
Together with your advisor, select two of the following:
- Any upper-division CRJ course --- 3
Homeland Security
- HLS 101 --- Introduction to Homeland Security --- 3
- HLS 321 --- Critical Problem Analysis --- 3
- HLS 341 --- Cyber Security --- 3
Police Studies
- PLS 103 --- Police, Order, Maintenance, and Crime --- 3
- PLS 216 --- Criminal Law --- 3
- PLS 316 --- Criminal Evidence --- 3
- PLS 380 --- Police in the Popular Media --- 3
- PLS 415 --- Contemporary Police Strategies --- 3
Psychology
- PSY 200 --- Introduction to Psychology --- 3
- PSY 308 --- Abnormal Psychology --- 3
- PSY 314 --- Adolescent and Adult Development --- 3
Free Electives --- 38
EKU General Education Requirements --- 37
Total Hours --- 120
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The criminal justice system employs nearly two million people across the nation and offers a variety of career opportunities. These opportunities include corrections, law enforcement, the court system, probation, and parole. Careers in corrections and juvenile justice are challenging and rewarding. A degree in corrections and juvenile justice studies can help you start or advance your career in the field of criminal justice.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics* (BLS) estimates that the number of individuals employed as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists will see an increase through 2028.
Positions for correctional officers and other job opportunities in the criminal and juvenile justice fields are also expected to rise. The majority of these positions are housed in state and local governments within the department of corrections in prisons, youth correctional facilities, and community agencies.
Although education was not historically mandatory in the corrections field, it has become increasingly necessary as the profession evolves. Advanced degrees are required for many positions at the federal level and will likely become essential for advancement.
Job Opportunities
Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Median Annual Salary: $53,020 per year / $25 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 91,600
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Substance Abuse, Behavioral, & Mental Health Counselors
- Median Annual Salary: $44,630 per year / $21 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 304,500
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Social & Human Services Assistants
- Median Annual Salary: $33,750 per year / $16 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 413,700
- Typical Entry-Level Education: High School Diploma
Correctional Officers & Bailiffs
- Median Annual Salary: $44,400 per year / $21 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 453,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: High School Diploma
English Language Requirements
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