Degree Completion – Criminal Justice
Program Overview
The mission of the ASPIRE Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science degree is to provide students with a holistic overview of the field of criminal justice in theory and practice, emphasizing critical thinking, the ability to effectively communicate in written and oral form, and the integration of faith with the academic study and professional practice of criminal justice. Evidence suggests that careers related to the field of criminal justice will continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
As the capital of Shasta County and the most important urban center in California north of Chico, all three areas of the criminal justice system in Redding: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, boast a robust presence. As Redding’s only four-year university, its Criminal Justice Degree Completion program provides opportunities for career advancement of people in the local system, as well as those outside seeking to pursue a career within it.
The foundation of a strong criminal justice system is education – because justice begins with understanding.
Learn about Criminal Justice
Hear directly from our professors, program director, and community partners about the heart behind Simpson’s Criminal Justice program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Display an understanding of key concepts concerning the three major areas of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, law adjudication (courts), and corrections.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, reading, and information literacy skills, and apply social science methodologies to better understand contemporary criminal justice issues.
- Employ effective oral and written communication skills consistent with professional standards.
- Illustrate ways in which socio-economic background, culture, ethnicity, and politics impact processes and outcomes within criminal justice systems.
- Develop and grow in Christian character and servant leadership, learn to integrate faith and learning, and apply Christian principles to the delivery of justice within the criminal justice system.
Required Courses
- Administration of Justice
- Restorative Justice & Conflict Resolution
- Introduction to Criminology
- U.S. Constitutional Law
- Introduction to Corrections
- Police & Society
- Counseling Skills
- General Investigative Techniques
- The Community & Justice System
- Ethics for Law Enforcement
- Criminal Law
- The American Court System
Career Opportunities
Law Enforcement Careers
- Police officers
- Sheriffs
- Police investigators
- Police detectives
- Federal agents
Court Related Careers
- Lawyers
- City attorneys
- District attorneys
- Attorneys general
- United States attorneys
- County public defenders
- Alternate public defenders
- Federal defenders
- Additional Careers related to court system
- Judges
- Paralegals
- Court clerks
- Court reporters
- Court officers
- Process servers
- Victim advocates
- Witness coordinators
Corrections Careers
- Corrections officers
- Probation officers
- Parole officers
- Rehabilitation specialists
- Corrections counselors
- Wardens
Program Delivery
The Degree Completion Criminal Justice program is online, which allows you to pursue your education without changing your schedule. As a completely online program, you can complete your degree on time – your time. After taking a short online Orientation course, you will be prepared to participate in the online courses. The Criminal Justice major consists of 12 online courses. Each course is 7 weeks long, running from Monday through Sunday and students take two courses at a time.
MEET THE FACULTY
Dr. Ryan Brasher
Program Coordinator, Global Studies
Associate Professor of Political Science
