Requirements
- To be a distance learning student, what type of computer should I have?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- What are the general requirements for the criminal justice degree?
- What criminal justice courses are required?
- What elective courses are offered in the Criminal Justice Program?
Transfer, Liberal Studies, & Credit
- Can I transfer community college criminal justice courses to WCU?
- What Liberal Studies courses are required?
- How is the Liberal Studies requirement different if I received an A.A. or an A.A.S. degree at the community college?
- Can I receive academic credit for BLET or other training I have completed?
- Where can I get more information?
Admission
Online Bridge Program
University Experience Course
- What is the University Experience Course?
- How am I notified about the University Experience course beginning date?
Tuition and Fees
More Information
To be a distance learning student, what type of computer should I have?
All distance learning students should have, at a minimum, a personal computer running Windows XP or a Macintosh computer running system OS X or higher. The computer must be able to connect to the university's network through an appropriate DSL or Cable modem. A minimum of 512 MB RAM memory is essential, as is a 40 GB hard drive. All computers should have either a CD-R or CD-RW (preferred) drive. Systems must be capable of connecting to Western's network, utilize a WCU-supported OS, as well as have a supported version of Microsoft Office. Systems having less than this minimum specification will not perform satisfactorily or meet WCU's computer requirement. Due to limitations, Windows XP Home Edition is NOT supported.
In addition, all distance learning students should be able to perform common computer functions such as e-mailing, chat, discussion boards, browsing the Internet, zipping and unzipping files, downloading and uploading files, keyword searching, and be able to use Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Common distance learning pedagogies used in the Criminal Justice Online Program include:
- Chat Rooms–synchronous (at the same time) communication with others in the class
- Discussion Boards–asynchronous (not at the same time) communication with others in the class
- Drop Boxes–electronic tool(s) for uploading and submitting written assignments and files
- Online Tests–self-administration of timed quizzes and exercises
- Email–communication between two or more members of the class
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be accepted into the Criminal Justice Online Program, a prospective student must meet the application requirements of the University and:
- Have an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or and Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from an accredited community college;
- Have an Associate’s of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from an accredited community college; or
- Have substantial progress toward the “44 General Core” courses that satisfy the General Education/Liberal Studies requirement for a North Carolina community college.
What are the general requirements for the criminal justice degree?
A minimum of 120 semester hours are required. This requirement is comprised of:
- Criminal Justice: 48 hours
- Liberal Studies: 42 hours
- General Electives: 30 hours
In addition, all students are required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at the junior/senior level while at WCU to satisfy WCU graduation requirements.
What criminal justice courses are required?
Required Core Courses (24 Semester Hours)
- CJ 250 The Criminal Justice System
- CJ 300 Research Methods and Writing
- CJ 320 Police in Society
- CJ 330 Criminal Courts
- CJ 340 Institutional Corrections
- CJ 370 Criminal Justice Ethics
- CJ 455 Theories of Crime
- CJ 495 Senior Capstone
What elective courses are offered in the Criminal Justice Program?
Elective Courses (24 Semester Hours):
- CJ 260 Judicial Process
- CJ 270 Introduction to Security
- CJ 290 Introduction to Forensic Science
- CJ 304 Criminal Law
- CJ 310 Victimology
- CJ 311 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- CJ 315 Investigative Principles
- CJ 323 Crime Scene Investigation
- CJ 345 Organized Crime
- CJ 350 Violence in American Society
- CJ 354 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- CJ 360 Asset Protection
- CJ 365 Cybercrime
- CJ 406 Criminal Justice Administration
- CJ 424 Community Corrections
- CJ 425 Police Practices and Problems
- CJ 430 Evidence and Criminal Procedure
- CJ 435 Homeland Security
- CJ 457 Terrorism
- CJ 460 Drugs and Society
- CJ 470 Criminal Justice Policy
- CJ 480 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 1-3 hours, R6
- CJ 483 Internship in Criminal Justice 1-12 hours, R12
- CJ 493 Topics in Criminal Justice, R12
Can I transfer community college criminal justice courses to WCU?
Yes, students can transfer a maximum of 24 semester hours of community college criminal justice courses into the criminal justice degree. Depending on the community college course, the course will be used to satisfy either a criminal justice core course or a criminal justice elective course.
Any additional hours in criminal justice above the 24 hour maximum will transfer in as a general elective course. Additional information about the transfer of criminal justice courses from a North Carolina community college can be located within the articulation agreement (Word)
What Liberal Studies courses are required?
A list of the required Liberal Studies courses and the Transfer of Credit policy can be found at the following website http://www.wcu.edu/registrar/Transfer/default.asp. If you click on the link entitled “WCU Liberal Studies Equivalencies at NCCC Institutions,” you will see a listing of community college courses and the equivalent course at WCU.
Students have the option of completing the 44 General Core requirement offered by the community college system in place of the WCU Liberal Studies requirement. The General Education requirements are somewhat different than those of WCU. Contact your transfer advisor at the community college for more information.
How is the Liberal Studies requirement different if I received an A.A. or an A.A.S. degree at the community college?
Pursuant to University of North Carolina System Policy, students who graduate from an accredited community college in North Carolina and who have earned either an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree will have fulfilled all Liberal Studies (general education) requirement at WCU.
Students who have earned a degree from an accredited institution located outside of North Carolina will undergo a course-by-course evaluation for transfer credits and may have to complete additional courses to fulfill the Liberal Studies requirement.
Students who possess an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree will undergo a course-by-course evaluation for transfer credits. In most cases, the student will be required to complete additional courses at a community college or through WCU to fulfill the Liberal Studies requirement.
Transfer students who have questions in regard to their previous college courses fulfilling WCU’s Liberal Studies or General Education Core requirements are urged to contact Ms. Kim Cherry in the University Advising Center.
Can I receive academic credit for BLET or other training I have completed?
No, WCU does not recognize training, certifications, or other continuing education units as being equivalent to academic courses at the university level. Transfer credit will only be awarded for courses offered by institutions of higher education that are accredited by nationally recognized, regional accredited organizations. Evaluation of academic transcripts is conducted by the Registrar’s Office, not the individual department.
Can I receive credit for my experience in the criminal justice field?
No, you cannot receive credit for your experience in the criminal justice field.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, visit the Distance, Online and Continuing Education Admissions website.
How do I apply to WCU?
What is the Online Bridge Program?
In order to meet liberal arts and prerequisite course requirements, the Division of Educational Outreach is offering a number of online courses this summer. Visit the Online Bridge Program website for more information.
What is the University Experience Course?
The University Experience Course is an online course developed by the Division of Educational Outreach to give you the tools you need for success in online learning. Read more about the University Experience Course
How am I notified about the University Experience course beginning date?
The course will be discussed in materials given to you as part of your admissions materials or at the recruitment information session.
A welcome email and a letter will be sent to you.
What is the tuition rate for distance learning courses?
Visit Distance Education Tuition and Fees.
Who can I contact in the Department of Applied Criminology for additional information?
If you have additional questions in regard to the Criminal Justice Online Program, please e-mail Professor Carlie Merritt, coordinator of the Criminal Justice Online Program.