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A police officer: Pursue Regent's A.S. in Criminal Justice degree online or in Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

A.S. in Criminal Justice

Safeguard Your Future

You’re passionate about justice and creating a safer future for everyone. Through Regent’s associate degree in criminal justice, you’ll study criminal investigation, criminal law, and theories of criminal justice—all presented from a Christian worldview.

On Campus, Online
63+
October 21, 2024
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SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS

Develop your critical thinking and analysis skills as you examine the careful application of the law.

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.

ACCESS FACULTY EXPERTISE

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the associate degree in criminal justice, you can:

  • Apply all credits toward Regent’s B.S. in Criminal Justice degree
  • Pursue a career in local, state, federal, or international law enforcement
  • Investigate the nature and causes of crime along with methods of treatment and prevention

Career Opportunities:

  • Police Officer
  • Probation Officer
  • Legal Assistant
  • Insurance Investigator
  • Forensic Technician
$66Thousand
Median annual wage for police and detectives U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
Examines the American criminal justice system. Investigates the agencies and processes involved in the administration of criminal justice. Considers various approaches in defining, measuring, and controlling crime.
Investigates the nature and causation of crime. Gives attention to major theoretical explanations for crime as well as to the treatment and prevention of crime.
Explores the nature, development, and causation of delinquent behavior among juveniles. Gives emphasis to contemporary trends and practices in the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.
Discusses principles and practices of criminal investigation including crime scene conduct and procedures, collection and preservation of evidence, interview and interrogation techniques, development of leads, and the use of surveillance techniques. Addresses ethical issues related to the criminal case investigation.
Investigation and analysis of the history, current practices, and various aspects of the corrections system. Gives attention to the future direction of corrections.
Analyzes the character of judicial power and review. Examines key U.S. Supreme Court decisions as related to the Bill of Rights, and its relationship to the states through focusing on civil rights and civil liberties decisions. Cross-listed with GOVT 382.
Examines criminal law in the United States with special attention given to various principles that apply to most criminal cases. Investigation includes the history and development of criminal law in the United States, an analysis of a number of specific types of crimes, parties to crime, and criminal defense.
Analysis of the diverse ethical dilemmas encountered in the criminal justice profession. Considers the importance of an ethic of virtue that focuses on an individual’s character as the source of virtuous action- both personal and professional. Evaluates leading ethical theories as they are applied to diverse ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice profession and examines various standards and codes of professional conduct within the criminal justice profession.

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial high school or college transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit Your FAFSA

Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov Regent's school code is 030913.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

DegreeTuition Block Rate Per SemesterCredit Hours Per SemesterTuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$9,97512 - 18$19,950
DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$665Under 12$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$665Over 18$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes
(summer semester)
$665N/A$1,995+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)$4506$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)$39512$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Block Rate Per SemesterCredit Hours Per SemesterTuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$9,49312 - 18$18,986
DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$630Under 12$7,560
Students taking on-campus classes
(fall & spring semesters)
$630Over 18$11,340
Students taking on-campus classes
(summer semester)
$630N/A$1,890+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)$4506$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)$39512$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

How long is an associate degree in criminal justice?

An associate degree in criminal justice can be completed in two years for those pursuing full-time education. If you are considering part-time education, it could take longer to achieve your diploma.

What can I do with an a.S. in Criminal Justice?

With an A.S. in Criminal Justice, you have several career options available in the field of security and law in the public or private sectors. You can become a police officer, private investigator, paralegal and more.

Once you complete your associate degree, you can also continue your education to achieve a bachelor’s degree, contributing to higher starting pay regardless of your career choice.

“Proverbs 27:17 states, 'Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.' That's been my Regent experience academically and relationally. I am grateful to have grown together with such amazing people.”

Christian Ellis, B.S. in Business, 2018; M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2020 Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Regent University

“With 30+ years of nursing experience, I saw myself as a leader, but I felt this nudging from God to go back to school. I’ve discovered my new calling: to serve as a life coach.”

Ellyn Jett, B.A. in Communication Studies, 2020 Nurse

“For anyone interested in developing the analytical skills required to make sense of complicated ideas, I encourage you to give Regent's Honors College a look. The relationships, skills and knowledge you'll gain through the discussion-based classes, and engaging assignments will benefit you in the years to come.”

Abigail Lindner, College of Arts & Sciences, 2022

“Things anxiety and depression told me I couldn’t do: be independent, live by myself, be completely happy, graduate college (magna cum laude!). Things I’ve done: All of the above.”

Ansley Michaela Hamby, B.A. in Communication Studies, 2020

“I am so grateful for the past four years at Regent University. I have met so many amazing people and made friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Danika Green, B.A. in Cinema-Television, 2020