Eleven more regionally accredited colleges provide high-quality bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia for those called to protect the Peach State’s 10.31 million people.
Ranked the 32nd safest state by WalletHub, Georgia reported 342,342 total crimes, including 666 murders and 61,464 burglaries, in 2016. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shows that the statewide crime rate per 100,000 residents is currently 3,320. Criminal justice majors can find ample job opportunities, especially in Georgia’s most dangerous cities of College Park, Douglasville, Sandy Springs, Tifton, Rome, and Americus. Georgia has 628 busy law enforcement agencies, including the MARTA Police, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office, and Georgia Capitol Police.
If you’re aspiring to keep the peace, this is the third and final installment of accredited undergrad criminal justice schools in Georgia (N-Z). (See also: Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Georgia (A-D) and Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Georgia (E-M))
Paine College
School of Arts & Sciences
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, Paine College is a private, historically Black Methodist institution that’s occupying 64 acres in Augusta, Forbes’ 130th best city for job growth, and educating 584 Lions across six departments placed on SACS probation. Recognized for America’s 361st best Greek life on Niche, Paine is ranked the 140th best Southeastern value and 120th top baccalaureate school by Washington Monthly. The School of Arts & Sciences grants one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia for annual tuition at $12,705.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Criminology Emphasis
Chaired by Dr. Adeleri Onisegun, Paine’s Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is a 124-credit, on-campus degree requiring a minimum 2.5 GPA to enter three 15-credit major emphases: General Sociology, Social Psychology, and Criminology. Undergrads selecting the latter will take courses like juvenile delinquency, abnormal psychology, and criminal procedure to study the patterns of deviant, illegal behaviors. Students could also join Sociology Club, pledge Alpha Kappa Delta, study at Fort Gordon, and intern with the Augusta Law Department.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Mary Helm Building 316
1235 15th Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-8274
aonisegun@paine.edu
Piedmont College
School of Arts & Sciences
Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Piedmont College is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts school founded in 1897 by Rev. Charles Spence that’s grown a $52.5 million endowment to serve 2,264 Lions on its 300-acre Demorest campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Declared America’s 25th safest college on Niche, Piedmont is ranked 132nd nationally for value-added education by The Economist. The School of Arts & Sciences has 35 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia, with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Presently priced at $24,264 per year, Piedmont’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is directed by Dr. Tony Frye with PhD-level faculty to nurture undergrads’ perceptive attitude for investigating and addressing infringements on the law for public safety. Selectively admitting 57 percent of applicants, the 39-credit major introduces courses from homeland security to forensic science and geographical information systems. Majors might also intern with Demorest Police Department, engage via the Compass Program, travel study to Peru, and join Social Sciences Club.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Daniel Hall 314
1021 Central Avenue
Demorest, GA 30535
(706) 778-8500 ext. 1060
tfrye@piedmont.edu
Point University
College of Graduate & Professional Studies
Established by Judge Thomas Olin Hathcock in 1937, Point University is a private, nonprofit evangelical Christian liberal arts NAIA member devoted to “Preaching the Word” to 1,582 Skyhawks upon its 54-acre suburban campus in West Point, five satellite locations, and online. Deemed America’s 403rd most diverse college on Niche, Point is ranked the 45th best Southern college by the USNWR and 115th top baccalaureate university in Washington Monthly. The College of Graduate & Professional Studies offers the Access Distance Learning Program to admit online learners into 12 associate and 15 bachelor’s majors.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Strengthened with a Biblical worldview, Point’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia that’s 100 percent online with up to 80 transfer credits for accelerating the 120-credit credential. Using a mentorship model with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, the B.S. costs $395 per credit for teaching the fundamentals of criminal behavior in a social and psychosocial context. Entering online courses like conflict management and police administration only requires a high school diploma or GED.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
507 W. 10th Street
West Point, GA 31833
(844) 671-5839
cgpsenrollment@point.edu
Reinhardt University
School of Mathematics & Sciences
Endowed for $40.1 million under President Kina S. Mallard, PhD, Reinhardt University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution of the United Methodist Church that’s enlightening 1,281 undergrad Eagles annually from its 90-acre rural campus in Waleska, off-campus Alpharetta center, and online classroom. Applauded for America’s 190th best college food on Niche, Reinhardt is ranked the 29th best Southern university by the USNWR. Reporting an average 20-year net ROI of $60,100 on PayScale, the School of Mathematics & Sciences has five majors for research-based discovery.
Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Open for admission until February 28th yearly, Reinhardt’s Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice suits non-traditional undergrads seeking to gather the critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities for law enforcement from in-field practitioners. Offering a free Notebook and digital texts, the 120-credit degree has customizable, eight-week electives from terrorism to fraud investigation and correctional thought. Currently charging $432 per credit, the online program also has a partnership with the Georgia Peace Officers Training Council (GPOSTC) Police Academy.
Bachelor of Science in Sociology: Criminology/Criminal Justice Concentration
Coordinated by Donald G. Gregory, PhD, the Bachelor of Science in Sociology can become another of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia when on-campus Reinhardt undergrads in Waleska select the Criminology/Criminal Justice Concentration. The 120-credit B.S. ranks in the top 20 percent on the ETS Major Field Test in Sociology by developing broad human involvement skills. Students might also declare Honors, study research literature in Hill Freeman Library, and jumpstart the MPA in Criminal Justice.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
7300 Reinhardt Circle
Waleska, GA 30183
(770) 720-5754
HNW@reinhardt.edu
Savannah State University
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Enrolling 4,280 Tigers, Savannah State University is a public, historically Black TMCF member founded under the Second Morrill Land Grant Act of 1890 that’s now endowed for $7 million and led by President Cheryl Davenport Dozier with a 210-acre coastal campus around 120 miles north of Jacksonville. Picked as America’s 139th most conservative college on Niche, SSU is ranked the 47th best HBCU by the U.S. News and 40th top Southeastern value in Washington Monthly. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences awards another of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia with 66 percent retention.
Criminal Justice Major
Conferring a Bachelor of Science, Savannah State’s Criminal Justice Major is chaired by Dr. Larry Stokes to deliver SACS-accredited training that produces change agents who use their legal understanding to administrate justice and run public safety efforts. After core courses like American court systems, the 125-credit degree injects an internship requirement at Georgia agencies, including the Savannah Police and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Undergrads may also select the Pre-Law Minor, study abroad in London, and join Criminal Justice Club events.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Social Sciences Building 205
3219 College Street
Savannah, GA 31404
(912) 358-3223
stokesl@savannahstate.edu
Shorter University
College of Arts & Sciences
Belonging to the Gulf South Conference since 2011, Shorter University is a private, co-educational Baptist school led by President Donald Dowless with a $27 million endowment to instruct 2,197 Hawks from 155 acres in Rome and online. Declared the 10th best value in Georgia on Niche, Shorter is ranked the 23rd best Southern college by the USNWR and 428th top American master’s university in Washington Monthly. Boasting Georgia’s only Alpha Chi Star Chapter, the College of Arts & Sciences houses 25 liberal arts-based majors and the Shorter Honors Academy with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio.
Criminal Justice Major
Adhering to Micah 6:8, the Criminal Justice Major at Shorter is directed by Dr. Jared Linebach to deliver faith-based B.S. education that teaches undergrads the fundamentals of police, court, and corrections systems to advance through the ranks of law enforcement. Waiving 16 credits for certified peace officers, the 36-credit major features face-to-face courses from human trafficking to cultural diversity and conflict mediation. Students could also venture to Argentina, join the International Justice Mission, and volunteer with Floyd County’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program.
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Delivered via the SREB Electronic Campus, Shorter’s Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is another of the flexible, self-paced bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia where transfers turn legal and policing theories into practice protecting citizens. The 120-credit curriculum requires 24+ credits graded “C” or higher to avoid the testing requirement of a minimum ACT score of 19. Online students also infuse Christian ethics into virtual courses like judicial systems, sociology, and CRJ research.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Alumni Hall 10
315 Shorter Avenue
Rome, GA 30165
(706) 233-7294
jlinebach@shorter.edu
South University – Savannah
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Division
Acquired as Draughan’s Junior College by the South family in 1974, South University is a private, for-profit educational system operated under the Education Management Corporation and Chancellor John T. South III to instruct 18,370 nationally with average retention at 45 percent. Graded “B” as America’s 362nd best small college on Niche, the SU Savannah campus stands near the Victorian Historic District of Forbes’ 42nd best city for careers. The Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Division has four degrees in the College of Arts & Sciences with 52 percent admission.
Criminal Justice BS
Estimated to cost $84,725 for four years of tuition, SU Savannah’s Criminal Justice BS is another of the on-campus or online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia for undergrads to gain critical insights into the functions of our legal system for social control. The 45-month program spans 180 quarter credits of SACS-accredited courses like American government, colonial history, research methods, organized crime, and bloodstain pattern analysis before the senior capstone. Online students also network on the Campus Common and Social Hub.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
709 Mall Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31406
(866) 629-2901
materialsreview@southuniversity.edu
Thomas University
Division of Criminal Justice
Occupying a 24-acre campus in Southwest Georgia’s second-largest city called the “City of Roses,” Thomas University is a private, co-educational nonprofit school established by the Primitive Baptist Church in 1950 that’s grown under President Dr. James Andrew Sheppard to serve 1,182 Night Hawks. Proclaimed America’s 185th safest college on Niche, ThomasU is ranked the 220th best university for value-added education by The Economist. The Division of Criminal Justice grants an AS Degree in Law Enforcement and one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia for $7,970 per semester.
BS Degree in Criminal Justice
Attracting 180+ majors, the BS Degree in Criminal Justice at ThomasU is available on-campus and wholly online under Chair Chip Battle’s direction to engage undergrads in challenging coursework about legal procedures taught by law enforcement officials. The 45-credit, upper-division major covers topics like community policing, constitutional law, comparative justice, and crime prevention. Students could also join the Beta Epsilon Chapter, intern with Georgia State Patrol, minor in Social Work, take faculty-led trips to Nicaragua, obtain the Forensics Scholarship, and attend TRIO programs.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 869-5516
cbattle@thomasu.edu
University of Georgia
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Spanning 41,539 total acreage across 30 Peach State counties, the University of Georgia is a massive public, sun-grant multi-campus USOG research institution based in Athens that’s directed by President Jere Morehead to educate 27,547 undergrads and employ 2,999 academic staff. Recognized for America’s 29th best student athletics on Niche, UGA is named the third best Southeastern value and 52nd top national university in Washington Monthly. The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences also ranked 245th globally on the U.S. News report with 30 departments, including one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia.
Criminal Justice – A.B.
Directed by Dr. Susan Haire, the Criminal Justice – A.B. program presents a Bachelor of Arts for UGA Bulldogs seeking a liberal arts education that integrates the theories and research methods utilized when studying unlawful behavior patterns. Within the 120-credit curriculum, seniors spend 40 hours weekly completing full-semester internships at placements like Floyd County Prison, Cobb County DUI Court, and Walton County Sheriff’s Department. Majors might also pledge Alpha Phi Sigma, study abroad in Liverpool, and attend the Annual Susette M. Talarico Lecture Series.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Baldwin Hall 221
405 College Station Road
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-7079
cmshaire@uga.edu
University of West Georgia
College of Social Sciences
Affiliated with alums like Speaker Newt Gingrich, Dr. Raymond Moody, Zac Brown, and Shea Cowart, the University of West Georgia is a public, co-educational doctoral R3 institution of the Gulf South Conference that’s located atop 644 acres in Carrollton to educate 11,155 undergrad Wolves face-to-face and online. Applauded for America’s 39th best Greek life on Niche, UWG is ranked the 123rd best Southeastern value and 426th top U.S. master’s college in Washington Monthly. The College of Social Sciences delivers one of the online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia with an average starting salary of $36,900.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminology
UWG’s Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminology is chaired by Dr. Bradford Yates, the 2012 NBS Advisor of the Year, to promote critical examination of legal issues with the practical development of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Currently charging $488 per credit, the online or hybrid program accepts 90 transfer credits for accelerating through courses like drug abuse and criminal profiling. Students applying before the June 1st, November 15th, and May 15th annual deadlines must have an admission index score above 900.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Humanities Building 151
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
(678) 839-4938
byates@westga.edu
Valdosta State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Noted for its Outdoor Art Collection on 168 acres in Lowndes County and Forbes’ 116th best small city for job growth, Valdosta State University is a public, four-year USOG constituent attracting 9,887 undergrad Blazers from 75+ countries with 56 SACS-accredited degrees. Crowned America’s 525nd best college campus on Niche, VSU is ranked the 194th best Southeastern buck and 439th top national university in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts and Sciences holds the last of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia alphabetically with 91 percent job placement success.
B.S. Degree with a Major in Criminal Justice
Currently charging $250 per credit online, Valdosta State’s B.S. Degree with a Major in Criminal Justice is chaired by Dr. Darryl Ross to introduce undergrads to the structure of our criminal statutes and its relation to the Constitution. Featuring a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, the 120-credit program map includes traditional or online courses from forensic criminology to cybercrime. Students can also study abroad in Hong Kong, gain Alpha Phi Sigma membership, join the Criminal Justice Club, and intern at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Nevins Hall 1004
1500 N. Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5943
dross@valdosta.edu
The BLS reports that Georgia employs 104,400 in protective service occupations for an average annual wage of $36,610 overall. Studying criminal justice often doesn’t lead to big paychecks, but it can provide rewarding work promoting safety as security managers, Sheriff’s patrol officers, court baliffs, correctional treatment specialists, first-line police supervisors, and more. According to NBC News, negative narratives around policing are resulting in critical law enforcement shortages with applications down 90 percent in some cities. Those with an innate duty to serve can bring their badges of honor within reach by completing bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Georgia.
