Point Loma Nazarene University — © 2024

PLNU Adult Degree Completion Programs.

What is the Criminal Justice program & what can it do for you? 

PLNU's program focuses on community relations and restorative justice in addition to traditional criminal justice practices. Restorative justice seeks to not only protect the community from crime and hold offenders accountable but also to heal those wounded by its effects for the purposes of fostering lasting peace and equity in our society. Restorative justice practices center on respecting and serving all involved in the justice system — victims, offenders, and the surrounding community. 

Prepare for Leadership & Responsibility

PLNU’s focus on special topics such as community relations and restorative justice — taught by experienced criminal justice faculty and industry leaders — will prepare you for true leadership roles with greater responsibility and influence.  

Career Support That Helps You Succeed

Receive guidance from career advisors who help you succeed while you work through the program, as well as help you to shape and reach your professional goals after graduation. 

FOUNDED ON FINDING YOU.

Convenience to Fit Your Life

HYBRID FORMAT

For those who prefer in-person learning, PLNU is partnered with community colleges across San Diego County, California, bringing professors directly to a campus near you one night a week with the rest online. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about enrolling in new classes or adapting to a new schedule each semester. For the CJ hybrid format, only the second 60 semester units of coursework are available through PLNU. With the hybrid format, you can earn your degree in as few as 15 months.  

Program Start Dates:

Fall 2024 - September 2, 2024

Our curriculum is designed with busy, working adults in mind with two formats of study: hybrid (including in-person classes two nights a week), or entirely online. Whichever study option you prefer, your coursework is designed to be flexible to your needs and help you balance your other life commitments. 


ONLINE FORMAT

If you prefer the flexibility of online learning and the ability to set your own schedule, the online format is for you! Students applying for the online CJ program can start the program with as little as zero college credits completed. In the online format, PLNU offers all general education, elective, and prerequisite courses needed for completion of the CJ program (courses are fully online). With entry points every eight weeks, you can start whenever you're ready.

Program Start Dates:

Summer 2024 Quad I - May 6, 2024

Summer 2024 Quad II - July 1, 2024

Fall 2024 Quad I - September 2, 2024

Fall 2024 Quad II - October 28, 2024 

Get the tools and education you need to be a valued leader.

Directly interact with colleagues and professors to gain an in-person knowledge that you can tangibly apply in real-life settings.

Realize your unique vision through concentrations. 

Make Social Change

ETHICS-BASED

PERSONAL COMMUNITY

TAILORED CURRICULUM

GET STARTED

“The criminal justice system provides a unique arena to ensure justice and facilitate restoration. At PLNU, we intend to train our students to see opportunities for transformation in every situation, becoming agents of hope in the communities they serve.”

Kevin Modesto, Ph.D.


“As our society seeks an increasing level of professional and ethical authenticity, it is imperative for criminal justice professionals to seek educational and training alternatives that position them to excel amid challenges and opportunities while displaying the grace of servant-leadership.”

Tim Dabney, MPM


“A big focus of PLNU’s Criminal Justice program is restoring the justice system to function as a community rather than a different entity. All criminal justice professionals are still in and part of the community, and their family and friends are too. Our program focuses on how they can maintain community values and actually serve the people in the community, rather than only exist as the authority over that community.”

Alfonso Esquer, M.S.C.J., M.S.W.

PLNU CJ Program Director

PLNU ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Completing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from PLNU can help prepare you for careers that make a real difference in your community, such as:

Police, Corrections, Parole, or Probation Officer

Security Officer

Social Worker or Victim Support Specialist

Paralegal or Law Clerk

Surveillance Officer

Information Security Analyst

Detective, Private Detective, or Investigator

Emergency Management Director

FBI, DEA or Customs Agent

Homeland Security Officer
 

MAKE SOCIAL CHANGE WITH A CAREER IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

GET STARTED

Find Your Calling? We've Got Classes for That.

FOUNDED ON FINDING YOU

HYBRID | ONLINE

BACHELOR OF

CRIMINAL JUSTICE


PLNU’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

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