The 90-credit online degree program is designed for experienced criminal justice and security professionals

PHOENIX, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix announces that enrollment is now open for its three-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, a 90-credit online bachelor's degree pathway designed for students with at least three years of work experience in criminal justice or security.

Based in the University's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the program is designed for experienced professionals seeking a structured pathway to complete a bachelor's degree while building on the knowledge, responsibilities and professional context they bring to the classroom. The program combines general education, upper-division coursework, a required capstone, practitioner faculty expertise and an optional graduate-study pathway.

The degree program is the first three-year bachelor's degree pathway launched by University of Phoenix, following approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978.

"Working adults do not all come to higher education from the same starting point," said Franzi Walsh, Ed.D., DBA, MPA, associate dean of the Criminal Justice, Public Administration and Security programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "This program is designed for experienced professionals who are already working in criminal justice or security and want a degree pathway that builds on their professional context while maintaining academic quality, structure and rigor."

A three-year criminal justice administration bachelor's degree for experienced professionals

The three-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration is an intentional redesign, offering a professional track for students who bring at least three years of relevant industry experience to the academic work of developing knowledge related to criminal justice systems, administration, policy, ethics, organizational operations and public accountability.

The program features:

• 100% online format
• 5-week courses
• 90 total credits
• 36 credits in general education
• 12 elective credits
• 42 credits in the required course of study
• Accepting up to 57 transfer credits
• A minimum of 42 upper-division credits
• A minimum 2.00 GPA for degree completion
• The required CJA/486 Administration Capstone course
• An optional Criminal Justice/Security Master's Pathway for eligible students considering graduate study
• No application fee
• No SAT or ACT requirement

The required CJA/486 Administration Capstone is designed to integrate competencies studied throughout the curriculum. The diploma awarded for the program will read Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

How the three-year pathway differs from the standard 4-year BSCJA

The three-year program requires 90 credits, compared with 120 credits for the University's standard four-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. The three-year pathway also requires students to have at least three years of professional experience in criminal justice or security.

The three-year bachelor's degree has a distinct structure. While both pathways retain the same 36 credits of General Education and 42 credits of required course of study, the professional track of the three-year bachelor's degree has 30 fewer open elective credits.

Both pathways are designed to help students build knowledge and skills related to criminal justice administration. The three-year professional track is specifically designed for criminal justice and security professionals, recognizing the field experience they bring to the classroom and providing a degree pathway designed for their continued professional growth.

Requirements for law enforcement, corrections, peace officer or related roles vary by agency, jurisdiction and position and may include requirements beyond completion of a degree program.

Faculty experience connects criminal justice concepts to real-world practice

The program is housed within the University's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences where faculty average 27.7 years of professional experience and include professionals with experience as police chiefs, captains, commanders, detectives, judges, district attorneys, sheriffs, public safety leaders, corrections leaders and security executives.

Their practitioner experience informs classroom discussions, helping connect academic concepts to real-world criminal justice administration and leadership challenges.

"Students want to understand how what they are learning connects to the real world," Walsh said. "That connection is built into this program. Students learn from faculty with deep professional experience across criminal justice, public safety, legal and security environments. Their experience helps bring the curriculum to life and reinforces the practical application of concepts students are studying."

Transfer-friendly and prior learning opportunities

Students entering these BSCJA programs may bring prior learning from a variety of sources, including eligible transfer credit, military or professional training, or completed certificate coursework and as a transfer-friendly institution, University of Phoenix provides opportunities to assess credit for prior learning.

In the three-year Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, eligible students may transfer up to 57 credits toward their degree, subject to University transfer credit policies and program requirements. The program does have a minimum residency requirement, that 30 program credits be completed at University of Phoenix.

Optional graduate-study pathway

For eligible students considering graduate study, the program includes an optional Criminal Justice/Security Master's Pathway. After completing the required course of study, students may complete up to three approved pathway courses as part of their elective requirements.

The pathway is designed to give students an additional opportunity to prepare for graduate study in the University's Master of Administration of Justice and Security or Master of Public Administration degree programs. Completion of pathway coursework does not guarantee admission into a graduate degree program.

For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/online-criminal-justice-degrees/accelerated-bachelors-degree-in-criminal-justice-administration.html.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. 

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SOURCE University of Phoenix