B.A. in Leadership Studies – Criminal Justice

Lead With Justice

Love justice? Looking for a career in law enforcement? Regent’s Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies – Criminal Justice can equip you with a solid foundation in innovative leadership, ethics, strategic planning, and decision making. You can also gain expertise in the American criminal justice system and approaches to measure and control crime. Choose courses in criminology, investigation, and criminal law to tailor your degree to best fit your goals.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 120+

Next Session Start: August 25, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS

Learn techniques in interviewing, interrogation, and the use of surveillance.

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our programs have also ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 13 years in a row (2013-2025).

Career Opportunities

On completing the B.A. in Leadership Studies – Criminal Justice program, you can:

Investigate the nature and causes of crime along with methods of treatment and prevention.
Understand crime scene conduct and procedures, and how to collect and preserve evidence.
Pursue a career in local, state, federal, or international law enforcement.

Career Opportunities

Police Officer
Probation Officer
Legal Assistant
Investigator
Forensic Technician

$71Thousand

Approximate Mean Annual Wage of Police Officers, 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Featured Courses

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
CRJU 131	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3	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.
CRJU 220	Criminology	3	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.
CRJU 280	Criminal Investigation	3	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.
CRJU 345	Criminal Law	3	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.
CRJU 411	Theories of Criminal Justice	3	Examines crime control and various perspectives. Identifies approaches to crime control and the legislation, courts, and corrections engaged in the process. Considers approaches beyond the criminal justice system.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

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.

Tuition & Fees

2025-26 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$10,470	12 - 18	$20,940

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Under 12	$8,376
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Over 18	$12,564
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$698	N/A	$2,094+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2024-25 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$9,975	12 - 18	$19,950

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Under 12	$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Over 18	$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$665	N/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 »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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Robert Coward, B.A. in History, 2019

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Taniki Richard, B.S. Business Leadership, 2016 Former U.S. Marine Corps

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Jennifer Bennett, B.S., 2007; M.A. in Organizational Leadership & Management, 2011 Organizational, Workforce, Strategic Planning and Leadership Management, U.S. Navy (Washington Navy Yard)