Keiser University

Criminal Justice

Fort Myers Campus
Bachelor Degree
Criminal Justice
Keiser University is accredited by SACSCOC.
Keiser University offers this program on campus, online, or in a hybrid format (availability varies by campus).
$99,264
Keiser University publishes this program as About 40 months and 120.
A one-time $55 application fee and a one-time $145 registration fee apply on enrollment (subject to annual review).
Keiser University participates in federal Title IV financial aid, including grants and federal student loans.

Criminal Justice is a Bachelor Degree program offered by Keiser University in Fort Myers, FL. The program takes 4 Years to complete, with a total tuition of $99,264.

Program Overview

Keiser University's Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice examines the criminal justice system as a whole, spanning law enforcement, criminal investigations, court processes, corrections, and community supervision. Coursework builds a strong foundation in criminal law, criminology and criminal behavior, constitutional protections, ethics, and criminal evidence, while general education courses emphasize cultural literacy, communication, and critical thinking.

The stated mission of the program is to prepare students for placement and advancement as criminal justice professionals. Students learn to collect and analyze data, solve problems, communicate effectively, and lead ethically, developing the practical knowledge and professional skills sought across law enforcement, correctional services, investigative work, and judicial roles.

The 120-credit-hour degree can be completed on campus, fully online, or in a hybrid format, and Keiser awards the same degree regardless of the format chosen. Real-world learning is reinforced through case studies and optional criminal justice internships, giving graduates both the academic grounding and applied experience to enter or advance in the field.

What sets this Program apart

  • Small class sizes taught by faculty who are experts in the criminal justice field
  • Flexible online, on-campus, and hybrid study options with the same degree awarded regardless of format
  • General education courses that emphasize cultural literacy and critical thinking
  • Real-world experience through internships and case studies
  • Access to federal financial aid and military tuition assistance for eligible students
  • One class at a time over focused terms, allowing students to concentrate fully on each subject

Admission Requirements and Process

Admission includes Keiser University's general requirements plus any program-specific requirements listed below, followed by the university's monthly-start application process.

General Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED (official proof of prior education required); foreign credentials must be evaluated by a NACES-member service
  • Completed application with one-time $55 application fee
  • One-time $145 registration fee due at enrollment (subject to annual review)
  • Complete the FAFSA (FAFSA School Code 015159) if seeking federal financial aid
  • No specific course prerequisites or entrance exam are required for admission to the Criminal Justice program
  • No background check or immunizations are required for admission (police academy certification, where pursued after graduation, has its own separate requirements)

Application Process

  1. 1
    Submit Application
    Complete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.
    Apply Now
  2. 2
    Submit Transcripts
    Provide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
  3. 3
    Financial Aid
    Complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.
    FAFSA Code for Fort Myers Campus: 015159
    Complete FAFSA Application
  4. 4
    Enrollment
    Once accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.

Program Schedule

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice follows Keiser University's one-class-at-a-time model, with students focusing on a single course during each four-week (4+ week) term and new classes starting every month. Class sizes are small, with an approximately 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The degree requires 120 credit hours across 40 courses and takes about 40 months for a full-time student, though time to completion varies with transfer credits (up to 12 accepted) and individual circumstances. Classes are available in day, evening, and online formats at select campuses, and the program can be completed fully on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Applied learning is available through optional Criminal Justice Internship courses, and an Integrated Criminal Justice Capstone Project must be completed in the final semester (with Research Writing as a prerequisite).

New cohorts start regularly throughout the year. Our start dates are as follows:
  • September 28th, 2026
  • October 26th, 2026
  • November 23rd, 2026
  • January 11th, 2027
  • February 08th, 2027
  • March 08th, 2027
  • April 05th, 2027
  • May 10th, 2027
  • June 07th, 2027
  • July 05th, 2027
  • August 02nd, 2027

Curriculum

The curriculum combines lower- and upper-division criminal justice courses with general education, covering criminology, criminal law, investigation, corrections, juvenile procedures, constitutional criminal procedures, ethics, and criminal justice management, and concludes with an Integrated Criminal Justice Capstone Project. Students also choose from upper-division electives such as Victimology, Terrorism, Cyber Crimes, Organized Crime, Private Security, and Criminal Justice Internships.

Required Courses

NameCredits
Criminal Justice Lower Division Courses (24.0 credit hours)
Criminology3.0
Introduction to Criminal Justice3.0
Introduction to Corrections3.0
Introduction to Law Enforcement3.0
Communications and Writing for CJ Professionals3.0
Introduction to Juvenile Procedures3.0
Criminal Law3.0
Criminal Investigation3.0
General Education Courses (36.0 credit hours)
American History Pre 18763.0
American History Since 18763.0
Political Science3.0
Introduction to Psychology3.0
Sociology3.0
Communications (3.0 credit hours)
Speech Communications3.0
Computers (3.0 credit hours)
Introduction to Computers3.0
Economics (3.0 credit hours)
Microeconomics3.0
Macroeconomics3.0
English (6.0 credit hours)
English Composition I3.0
English Composition II3.0
Humanities/Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours)
American Literature3.0
English Literature3.0
Mathematics (6.0 credit hours)
College Algebra3.0
College Mathematics3.0
Applications of Mathematics3.0
Statistics (required)3.0
Natural Science (6.0 credit hours)
General Biology3.0
General Biology Laboratory1.0
Environmental Science3.0
Advanced Biology3.0
Advanced Biology Laboratory1.0
General Chemistry3.0
General Chemistry Laboratory1.0
Advanced Chemistry3.0
Advanced Chemistry Laboratory3.0
Criminal Justice Upper Division Major Courses-Required (15.0 credit hours)
Criminal Justice Management3.0
Ethics in Criminal Justice3.0
Constitutional Criminal Procedures3.0
Criminal Evidence and Procedures3.0
Integrated Criminal Justice Capstone Project*3.0
Criminal Justice Upper Division Major Courses-Additional (21.0 credit hours)
Deviant Behavior3.0
Victimology3.0
Crime and the Media3.0
Organized Crime3.0
White-Collar and Economic Crime3.0
Drug Control3.0
Terrorism3.0
Human Exploitation3.0
Private Security3.0
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3.0
Protective Services3.0
Cyber Crimes3.0
CJ Internship I3.0
CJ Internship II3.0
Upper Division General Education Courses (9.0 credit hours)
Research Writing3.0
Interpersonal Communication3.0
Sociology of the Urban Community3.0

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information

Total Program Tuition
≈ $99,264
FAFSA Code
Net Price Calculator

Tuition is charged per 16-week semester based on scheduled credit hours. For full-time enrollment (12–17.99 credits), undergraduate tuition is approximately $12,408 per semester per Keiser's Undergraduate Tuition & Fee Disclosure (subject to annual review). Across the 120-credit-hour program, this works out to an estimated total of roughly $99,000 in tuition for a full-time student, before any transfer credits, scholarships, or aid. A one-time $55 application fee and one-time $145 registration fee also apply. Because per-course resource or lab fees can vary, students should confirm current charges with Financial Services and use the Net Price Calculator at https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/NPC-index.html for a personalized estimate.

Eligible students may fund their education through the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Work-Study; Florida FSAG and EASE grants; institutional scholarships; and veterans and military benefits, including military tuition assistance. Financial aid requires completing the FAFSA (School Code 015159) each year.

Estimated total program tuition of about $99,264 (full-time semesters at ~$12,408/semester); actual cost varies with pace and transfer credit.

Career Outcomes

Graduates pursue roles across the criminal justice system, including law enforcement officer positions, crime analysts, federal agents, homeland security roles, victim advocates and coordinators, juvenile justice specialists, private investigators, security managers, and court services personnel. Common employment settings include local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, correctional and juvenile facilities, courts, private security firms, and investigative units.

The program provides solid academic preparation for entry into and advancement within the field. It does not by itself confer law enforcement certification; graduates pursuing sworn police careers must still complete the required police academy training. No programmatic licensure exam is tied to the degree.

What to expect as a Keiser University student

Expect to study one course at a time in focused four-week terms, moving through criminal justice fundamentals before advancing to specialized upper-division topics and a capstone project in your final semester. Coursework blends criminal law, investigation, corrections, and ethics with writing, communication, and critical-thinking skills, often reinforced through real-world case studies.

You can attend on campus, fully online, or in a hybrid format, with day and evening options at select campuses, and small classes mean direct access to faculty who work in the field. Optional criminal justice internships offer hands-on experience, and students with prior college credit may transfer up to 12 credits to shorten their time to completion.

Testimonials

Being able to solve problems and try to figure out what exactly happened is amazing. Smaller classes are more personable.

Lee Tamburro
Lee Tamburro
Crime Scene Technology Student

What I love about Keiser is the fact that there's intimate class sizes, teachers that actually care about what you're going to school for.

Haley Roberge
Haley Roberge
BS in Forensic Investigations Graduate

KU taught me how to thoroughly do an investigation, read a police report, and understand crime scenes and photos.

Christy Marek
B.S. in Law Enforcement Operations Graduate

Once I graduated, I found a job right out of college within my degree. I now proudly work for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Heather S.
Keiser University Criminal Justice Graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn this degree online?
Yes. Keiser University's Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is offered online, with the option to study on campus or in a hybrid format if you prefer. The same degree is awarded regardless of the format you choose.
How long does the program take?
The program requires 120 credit hours across 40 courses and takes about 40 months for a full-time student. Time to completion varies based on transfer credits and individual circumstances.
Are there admission prerequisites or an entrance exam?
No. There are no specific course prerequisites or entrance exams for entering the Criminal Justice program. You will need a high school diploma or GED and to complete Keiser's standard admissions steps.
Can I transfer in prior college credit?
Yes. The program accepts up to 12 credits of transfer credit, and students with prior coursework may be able to complete the degree faster.
Does this degree qualify me to become a police officer?
The curriculum covers the law enforcement procedures, criminal law, and justice systems relevant to police careers, but sworn police work also requires completing separate police academy training after graduation.
Is the program specially accredited?
Keiser University is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC. The Criminal Justice program does not require specialized programmatic accreditation, but it provides solid preparation for entry into the criminal justice field.
Does the program qualify for financial aid?
Yes. Eligible students may access federal aid, grants, loans, and work-study, along with Florida state grants, institutional scholarships, and military tuition assistance. Complete the FAFSA (School Code 015159) to apply.
Are internships available?
Yes. Students may take Criminal Justice Internship courses as upper-division electives to gain real-world experience, and the program also incorporates case studies to connect theory with practice.

School Information

Keiser University
keiseruniversity.edu
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Location

Fort Myers Campus
9100 Forum Corporate Pkwy
Fort Myers, FL 33905

Why Accreditation Is Important

Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.

This program: Keiser University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

  • A reliable indicator of educational quality
  • Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
  • Recognized by employers nationwide
  • Credits earned toward a respected credential
Ready to get started?
Apply to Criminal Justice at Fort Myers Campus.
Criminal Justice