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Athabasca University

Bachelor of Professional Arts
Criminal Justice Major

Regulations effective September 1, 2015.

The Bachelor of Professional Arts Criminal Justice Major is offered by Athabasca University’s Centre for Social Sciences. 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 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 may also be able to take courses in a classroom setting, or a combination of distance and classroom courses, at other institutions.

 

Common Core

The common core courses may be taken at any time; however, 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.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

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

Program Structure
Common Core credits 12
Major Courses credits 42
Options credits 6
Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. 30
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. 24
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits *see Prior Learning above
Major Courses (Select 42 credits from the following)
Any 200-level Accounting course

or
(3)
ADMN 232 Introduction to Management
CRJS All CRJS courses  
LGST 331 Administrative Law (3)
  A 300-level organizations course (e.g., ORGB 326 or SOCI 300)
(3)
ORGB 300 Organizational Culture (3)
SOCI 305 Sociology and Crime

or
(3)
SOCI 365 Sociology of Deviance
  A research methods course (e.g., SOSC 366)
(3)
Options (6 credits)
From any discipline at the senior (300 or 400) level (6)

 

Information effective Sept. 1, 2015 to Aug. 31, 2016.

Updated July 29 2015 by laurab

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