Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Program Description

The Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) at JCCC is a general transfer degree and partners well with the first two years of most bachelor degree programs. Students pursuing the A.A. may select courses that satisfy both the A.A. degree requirements and lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree at four-year institutions. The elective hours within the A.A. allows students to complete additional general education and lower division courses required for specific majors. The A.A. degree requires completion of 60 credit hours, the maximum number of hours from a community college that will be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at most four-year schools; please see JCCC A.A. degree requirements. Meeting with a JCCC counselor is strongly recommended for selection of appropriate courses.  

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice at Washburn University allows students to receive advanced educational opportunities and obtain productive careers in the following majors:

• Corrections
  • Prepare students for federal, state, and local corrections agencies.
• Law Enforcement
  • Designed to introduce all aspects of the criminal justice profession with a particular emphasis on the theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement.
• Forensic Investigation
  • Designed to provide students with a balanced interdisciplinary education in forensic investigations emphasizing the practical issues and theoretical concepts employed by forensic professionals.
• Forensic Investigation Sciences
  • Designed to provide a pathway for students in the program to gain forensic investigation experience, building and improving practical and professional skills needed to enter careers in the forensic investigation field, while also gaining a strong skillset in the laboratory setting.
• Security Administration
  • Emphasizing practical issues and theoretical concepts related to security, safety, fire, crime prevention, investigations, law enforcement, and the social sciences.

These programs are designed to produce knowledgeable students who possess the necessary theoretical, practical, and critical thinking skills to compete in today’s job market. Faculty bring practical and academic experience to the classroom and are committed to excellence in teaching. Diversity is valued in the Criminal Justice degree program, and faculty are dedicated to producing ethical graduates who are prepared to succeed in their chosen profession.

For more information, please visit www.washburn.edu/cj. 

Admission Requirements

• Apply for admission, including $20 application fee (non-refundable). Complete the application on-line at www.washburn.edu/admissions.
• Send official transcripts of all previous college work to: Washburn University / Office of Admissions / 1700 SW College / Topeka, KS 66621 or submit them electronically at etranscripts@washburn.edu
• Academic good standing; minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

• Minimum of 120 semester hours of credit, minimum of 60 semester hours from Washburn or a four-year college or university; at least 30 hours must be completed through Washburn
• Minimum of 45 semester hours of credit from courses at the upper division level
• Must complete 34-35 hours of General Education, see info page 2
• Minimum of 84 graded hours
• Grade of “C” or better in courses counting towards the university requirements, major, and minor
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0

General Education

Students must complete the Washburn General Education Core Requirements. Effective Fall 2024: Students transferring to Washburn, with an AA, AFA or AS degree from JCCC will be considered to have satisfied Washburn’s general education curriculum.

Effective Fall 2024: Students who transfer to Washburn, without completing AA, AFA or AS degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting Washburn requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy Washburn general education requirements should refer to the tables in the Washburn General Education Core Requirements guide for course equivalents. 

Note: The Washburn General Education Core Requirements can be found at: Washburn General Education Core Requirements