Browse the links below for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the online program.
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
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.
Additionally, all distance learning students should be able to perform common computer functions such as e-mailing, chat, discussion boards, Internet browsing, zipping and unzipping files, downloading and uploading files, keyword searching, and using Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and accessing iTunes.
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 one year of criminal justice experience, plus
- Have an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from an accredited community college;or
- Have an Associate’s of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from an accredited community college; or
- Have completed the “44 General Core” courses that satisfy the General Education/Liberal Studies requirement for a North Carolina community college.
How is “criminal justice experience” defined for program eligibility?
Applicants are required to document a minimum of one year of experience in the criminal justice field on a supplemental Criminal Justice application as a part of their admission process. Typical work experience would include one year of employment in law enforcement, courts, corrections or military police. A selection committee of criminal justice faculty members will evaluate other significant criminal justice experience. Individuals who have no work experience in criminal justice will need to document one year (minimum 520 hours) of internship or volunteer experience that provides substantial exposure to the field in a criminal justice agency. An agency representative will be required to document experience.
Returning students who have received WCU credits in criminal justice but have no criminal justice experience can be “grandfathered” into the program until spring, 2012. At that point, all applicants will be subject to the experience requirement.
How is work experience documented for the admissions process?
Experience is documented by (1) a letter from the sponsoring agency indicating that the applicant has at least one year of experience and (2) an essay by the applicant explaining the applicant’s criminal justice work experience, previous college coursework, and how the applicant intends to use a four-year degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Administration of Justice to enhance the applicant’s career in criminal justice. The quality and content of the essay portion of the supplemental application will affect admission decisions. Students who have writing deficiencies are advised to review materials provided by the Writing and Learning Commons.
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: 49 hours
- Liberal Studies: 42 hours
- General Electives: 29 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?
Core Requirement Courses (16 Semester Hours)
- CJ 150 Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 hours)
- CJ 280 Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 hours)
- CJ 295 Criminology and Criminal Justice Sophomore Seminar (1 hour)
- CJ 355 Theories of Crime (3 hours)
- CJ 380 Statistical Analysis for Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 hours)
- CJ 495 Senior Seminar (3 hours)
Administration of Justice Concentration for Distance Learning Students Only (18 Semester Hours)
Concentration Core (12 hours) includes:
- CJ 313 Criminal Justice Administration (3 hours)
- CJ 358 Computer Applications in Criminal Justice (3 hours)
- CJ 425 Police Practices and Problems (3 hours)
- CJ 445 Supervision and Leadership of Personnel (3 hours)
- CJ 305 Social Justice and the Law (3 hours)
- CJ 347 Gender and Crime (3 hours)
- CJ 365 Cyber Crime (3 hours)
- CJ 385 Issues in Correctional Treatment(3 hours)
- CJ 438 Minorities, Crime, and Social Policy (3 hours)
- CJ 448 Community Policing (3 hours)
- CJ 470 Criminal Justice Policy (3 hours)
- EDM 435 Homeland Security (3 hours)
- EDM 457 Terrorism (3 hours)
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 Criminal Justice Distance Learning Eligibility and Supplemental Application.
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 tuition rate for distance learning courses?Visit Distance Education Tuition and Fees.
Who can I contact in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department for additional information?
If you have additional questions in regard to the Criminal Justice Online Program, please contact Aaron Vassey at 828-227-2172 or pavassey@email.wcu.edu.