Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice Studies
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Justice Studies
Start your GCU
journey today.
journey today.
Explore online or campus programs to fit your lifestyle.
Start your justice studies today.
Request Info
We're here to help.
Graduating from this program can provide the basis for a career working within the criminal or civil law fields. You may decide to further enhance your career qualifications by pursuing entry into law school or applying to a job training program for a local, state or federal law enforcement agency.
Although no degree can guarantee any particular career outcome, some jobs that may be related to this degree include:
Correctional officer
Law enforcement officer
Intelligence analyst
Private detective or investigator
Security officer
Pursue your dream of working to make communities safer by becoming a justice studies major at GCU. Apply today for enrollment online or on campus.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
People working within the criminal and civil legal fields are charged with promoting the safety of the community and the rights of its residents. If you are passionate about finding a career that enables you to serve and protect others, consider a justice studies major.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies at Grand Canyon University provides a comprehensive look at all aspects of the law, and how the law affects communities and individuals.
This interdisciplinary degree program takes an in-depth look at the nature of justice and injustice. You may benefit from the faculty’s industry experience and the interactive contributions of your peers as you are taught to apply humanities and social science skills to legal matters. As a campus or online student, you will study timely topics in criminal law, criminal procedure, corrections and threat assessments, and examine approaches for making communities safer for families and individuals. Explore what it means to attend GCU through our online or campus experience.
This justice studies program is available via online classes. If you choose to attend online, you can benefit from having the flexibility to work on your degree from almost anywhere at any time. You’ll have access to your course materials through our interactive online learning platform. You can engage in discussions with your peers and instructors online while enjoying the same quality of instruction as our on-campus students.
If you prefer a traditional justice studies degree program, you can also choose to complete your classes on campus. With GCU’s campus programs, you have access to faculty, campus life and student success resources to complete your college experience.
It’s not always easy to choose a major in college, as the decision can have significant implications for your future. Take the time you need to research the justice studies field and degree program so that you can make an informed decision. Start by reviewing the following frequently asked questions and answers.
Like with any major, earning a justice studies degree takes time, diligence and hard work. Every student will experience the course material a little differently. You may find certain topics more approachable than others, for example. While the curriculum may present challenges at times, you will have invaluable opportunities for personal and professional development.
While justice studies and criminal justice studies may sound similar in nature, the two deal with their own specific focus. Justice studies is a social science that looks at how justice is viewed in the lens of the local community and broader social contexts.
Criminal justice, on the other hand, focuses more closely on the causes of criminal acts, methods of reducing crime and responses to criminal actions. A criminal justice major takes a close look at how the criminal justice system works at the local, state and federal levels, and at various criminal justice interventions.
To become a criminologist, you will first need to earn an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies. Next, you’ll want to obtain a master’s degree, either in criminology, criminal justice or a related discipline. Having an advanced degree can help you position yourself for possible career growth opportunities within the criminology field. If you have a goal to teach criminology at the postsecondary level, you will likely need to earn a related doctoral degree.1
A justice studies degree falls into the category of social science, along with other fields such as psychology, sociology and political science. The disciplines under social science focus on examining human behavior and how individuals and groups interact with one another. Additionally, they examine how cultures develop and influence other parts of the world.
The program is sufficiently accredited, making it a legitimate program that fulfills the high standards set by a third-party organization. Both the FBI and CIA have a rigorous and competitive application process that goes beyond a college education.2,3 However, this degree will teach you the principles of law, investigations and crime analysis that may help set you apart from other applicants.
This degree fulfills GCU’s mission-critical competencies. GCU seeks to graduate students with the following core skills:
This degree offers an intensive survey of the law and legal matters. While earning your BS in Justice Studies, you will receive instruction in the following topics:
GCU is a private Christian university with the Christian worldview integrated directly into the curriculum. As a justice studies degree student, you will be taught theoretical knowledge and practical applications of ethical frameworks in decision-making. There is an emphasis on the ethical responsibilities of public servants. You will examine how to maximize the public good while appropriately using resources and making culturally sensitive decisions.
You will also be guided toward gaining an in-depth understanding of these domains:
Law
Criminal and civil procedures
Case management
Justice technology
Organizational psychology in justice organizations
Public safety practices
This justice studies major allows you to explore all areas of the justice system. Examine the function, organization, issues and practices of law enforcement agencies, court systems and the corrections system. BS in Justice Studies students explore constitutional law, statutory law and case law interpretation, as well as current issues such as strategic policing and cybercrime.
Additionally, you will work through the following topic areas:
Not all schools and degree programs offer the same quality of education, so it’s important to research your options carefully. At GCU, we’re proud to have institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 — a reflection of our dedication to the quality of our school. Our colleges strive to graduate students who are prepared to tackle modern challenges with confidence.
1 Learn.org. (n.d.). How Can I Become a Criminologist? Learn.org. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2023.
2 FBI Jobs. (n.d.). What it Takes to Join the FBI. Department of Justice. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2023.
3 CIA Careers. (n.d.). CIA Requirements. CIA.gov. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2023.
