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Bachelor’s Degree

Criminal Justice

Whether your passions align most with law enforcement, the court system, or corrections, this affordable Bachelor’s degree will open doors to a variety of impactful career paths.

Talk to an Enrollment Coach

2024 Schedule

The criminal justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. Students within the criminal justice program will not only learn the basic components of the criminal justice system but will also apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing, and controlling a variety of criminal justice agencies associated with police, courts, and corrections. Our Criminal Justice program provides a holistic approach to educating students by not only providing students with well-rounded skills and knowledgebase, but also emphasizing character education and critical thinking.

This degree is only offered online through our Global Online Leadership College.

*In accordance with Georgia Military College’s charter as a Military Junior College, students in GMC’s Corps of Cadets are not allowed to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree.

Click Here for the Course Catalog information

Police and Sheriff Officers
Respond to emergency and nonemergency calls. Patrol assigned areas, observing people and activities. Conduct traffic stops and issue citations.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Gathers and verifies evidence through interviews and observation of suspects and witnesses or by reviewing and analyzing records and logs.
Correctional Officers
Enforce rules and keep order within jails or prisons. Supervise activities of people in custody.

What You Will Learn

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Demonstrate knowledge of historical, contemporary, and emerging issues within the field of Criminal Justice.

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Apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, and directing a variety of criminal justice agencies.

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The ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment to solve complex problems.

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Demonstrate knowledge of the constitutional, ethical, and legal principles in the field of Criminal Justice.

In-Class or Online

Whether you want to attend classes online, or at our historic Milledgeville campus, or at any of our eleven satellite locations, we have a convenient option just for you.

Leadership. Character. Civility.

Attending GMC is about more than just earning a degree. We prepare our graduates to stand out in the world by teaching leadership skills, character education, and ethics. GMC grads have the grit and determination to be successful in an ever-changing job market.

Why pay more for the same degree?

Thanks to our Transfer Agreements, GMC students can take their college credits with them to dozens of other colleges and universities. Why pay more for core curriculum when you take the same accredited courses at GMC for less, and then transfer to the four-year college of your choice? Here’s a cost comparison:

“My GMC Online Enrollment Coach really believed in me, and pushed me to want to do better for myself… One year later, I found myself with a degree and two jobs. I was very quickly able to get myself a new car, put my son in a better school, and eventually buy myself a house. I became an all-around happier and healthier person thanks to GMC Online.”

— Charity Suggs, Graduate

Recent Grads

Concentration Courses

CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 5qh

This course is a general overview of the American criminal justice system. Each of the major components (police, courts, and corrections) will be examined.

CRJ 103 Criminal Procedures | 5qh

This course is a study of the nature and function of the law with relation to the criminal process, policies and procedures in the administration of criminal justice.

CRJ 104 Juvenile Delinquency | 5qh

This course is a detailed examination of juvenile delinquency in the United States. Course topics will include social causes, apprehension and processing, court procedures, and rehabilitation.

CRJ 200 Intro to Criminology | 5qh

This course is an examination of crime theories and causation. The relationship between crime, the criminal, and society is presented. The nature of criminal behavior, moral law, and criminal law are discussed.

CRJ 201 Criminal Investigations I | 5qh

This course introduces the student to the techniques of criminal investigation to include, crime scene, search and recording, collection and preservation of evidence, scientific aids, modus operandi, sources of information, and interviewing witnesses.

CRJ 202, Intro to Criminalistics | 5qh

This course is about the study of the scientific aspects of criminal investigation to include, collection, preservation, and examination of physical evidence, chemical and other scientific methods used in a modern crime investigation laboratory.

CRJ 203 Police Community Relations I | 5qh

This course examines the historical development of criminal justice agencies with emphasis on community relationships, police and community perceptions, attitudes and values.

CRJ 204 Ethics in Criminal Justice | 5qh

This course is an introduction to concepts of ethics and the examination of contemporary ethical issues in criminal justice.

CRJ 205 Introduction to Mental Health Recognition for Law Enforcement | 5qh

This course will familiarize students with mental health disorders and show students how to effectively engage a person with a mental illness. Students will learn communication skills and active de-escalation strategies needed to avoid conflict.

CRJ 206 Introduction to Policing | 5qh

This course focuses on the police role in society, police operations, discretion, corruption, and current and emerging issues.

CRJ 208 Criminal Law

This course examines substantive criminal law and its procedures for implementation. Emphasis will be given to historical developments, contemporary forms of criminal definitions and Supreme Court decisions that govern criminal procedures.

CRJ 210 Evolution of Law Enforcement | 5qh

This course focuses on the historical development of law enforcement, organization, administration, and systems of local, state, and federal policing with an emphasis on theories as they relate to practice.

Hiring Partners

GMC is fortunate to have partnerships with a wide range of businesses who hire our graduates. Here are a few of our partners:

Start when you're ready
Choose an upcoming start date:

Jan 08, 2025

Mar 17, 2025

Jun 02, 2025

Aug 11, 2025

Jan 08, 2025

Mar 17, 2025

Jun 02, 2025

Aug 11, 2025

Register by: Jan 07, 2025
Register by: Mar 14, 2025
Register by: May 30, 2025
Register by: Aug 08, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

About This Program


The criminal justice program is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, emergency services, or the legal field. Students within the criminal justice program will not only learn the basic components of the criminal justice system but will also apply theories and practices of criminal justice to structuring, managing, directing, and controlling a variety of criminal justice agencies associated with police, courts, and corrections. Our Criminal Justice program provides a holistic approach to educating students by not only providing students with well-rounded skills and knowledgebase, but also emphasizing character education and critical thinking.

 

This degree is only offered online through our Global Online Leadership College.

Degree Program Coordinator


Christy Musgrove, cjames@gmc.edu

Program Benefits


A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can prepare students for careers in the criminal justice system, including law, law enforcement, and public safety. The field of criminal justice is large and offers many career opportunities.  A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can lead to careers in law enforcement, the court system, the corrections system, law degree programs, politics, academia, advocacy, and homeland security.

Cost for the Degree


Average Cost for this Degree:
$8,280

Why choose GMC?

Explore GMC’s flexible course formats to craft the college experience that works best for you.

2017

Best Community Colleges in Georgia - Universities.com
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9th

Best Community College - CNN Money
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7th

Fastest Growing Community College - Community College Week
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Top 25

Best Community Colleges - CollegeAtlas.Org
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Academic Excellence.
Since 1879.

We’ve been educating bright minds for well over a century. That’s why a degree from GMC means more than just a great education. It means success.