The Bachelor of Professional Arts Criminal Justice Major is offered by Athabasca University's Centre for State and Legal Studies. Sixty credits are required for degree completion beyond the AU-approved two-year college diploma. Students must complete the following degree requirements within the Bachelor of Professional Arts program.

Enrolment Requirements

The BPA Criminal Justice major is available to:

• graduates of an approved two-year criminal justice-related diploma;
• graduates of a previous undergraduate degree in an unrelated discipline (with at least one year of professional practice relevant to the Criminal Justice Studies major); or,
• students with a minimum of two years of university level coursework (with at least one year of professional practice relevant to the Criminal Justice major).

Coursework and credentials must have been obtained from a college, university or institute of technology approved by Athabasca University. Individuals who have questions about the eligibility of their previous education for admission are strongly encouraged to contact the program coordinator. The program provides students with two years of Arts and Administrative Studies courses along with specialized senior-level courses in criminal justice.

Prior Learning

A maximum of 30 credits may be awarded by portfolio assessment through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). To learn more about PLAR opportunities within the Criminal Justice program, please contact your program coordinator or the Centre for Learning Accreditation.

Classroom Setting

In addition to completing the BPA Criminal Justice major through online and distance learning, you can also take courses in a classroom setting, or a combination of distance and classroom courses, at the following Alberta institutions: MacEwan University (Edmonton), Lethbridge Community College (Lethbridge), Medicine Hat College (Medicine Hat).

Common Core

The common core courses may be taken at any time. Students are encouraged to complete the common core courses early in their program. The common core addresses skills and knowledge that will help students succeed with the remaining degree requirements.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating. For more information regarding this major, contact the program coordinator.

Bachelor of Professional Arts program