Undergraduate Online Pathway

Unlike online programs at many other universities, Criminology and Criminal Justice Online courses are designed and personally taught by the same nationally-known, award-winning CCJ faculty who teach on campus. This is a reflection of CCJ’s commitment to delivering a high-quality education for its students who learn online. Whether you choose to enroll in the campus program or the fully online program, the education and the degree are the same. “Online” does not appear anywhere on your degree or on your official PSU transcripts.

CCJ’s online programs are designed with students’ work and family responsibilities in mind.

• There are no required visits to campus and no requirements to log in at specific times.
• Course scheduling is streamlined to allow students to proceed through their studies without delay.
• Most online program courses are offered in an accelerated 5-week format so students can maintain full-time status while taking fewer courses at the same time.
• Students are guided throughout the program by their advisor who gets to know them individually and regularly checks in on their progress.
• In addition to PSU’s general tech support, specialized tech support is provided by highly-trained tech staff working within CCJ—saving CCJ online students time by working directly with someone who knows each course, instructor, and assignment.
• CCJ Online makes space for each of its students to register for any course offered by the program. This means students never have to put off their plans because a CCJO course is full.

Since they are only open to admitted Criminology & Criminal Justice Online students, courses in CCJ’s online programs cannot be found in PSU’s Schedule of Classes. Registration for CCJ Online courses takes places through a separate, customized process. Upcoming schedules are provided directly to CCJ’s online students each term, along with individual advising to assist each student in registering for the mix of courses that best suits their interests and needs. Students register for CCJ Online courses each term using a separate, customized process, with the assistance of their academic advisor.

In CCJ, you are not an online student.
You are a CCJ student who learns online.

CCJ Online Admissions Standards

Portland State University operates on a quarter system. Students may apply to start any quarter for all Criminology and Criminal Justice Online programs. Quarters start January, March/April, June, and September.

Enrolling in a Criminology and Criminal Justice Online program requires meeting specific program admission requirements and completing a separate program application process.

With the exception of the Postbaccalaureate, all Criminology and Criminal Justice Online programs require that students:

• Have a minimum of 30-quarter credit hours (20 semester hours) of transferable college credit*
• Complete WR 121 or an equivalent college-level writing course with a grade of C– or better
• Meet a minimum GPA requirement:
  • For students who have never attended PSU: 2.25 transfer GPA is required
  • For students with existing PSU credits: 2.25 PSU GPA is required

*Transfer Credit: Portland State University accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited colleges or universities.  CCJ has transfer credit agreements with all Oregon Community Colleges and several Washington Community Colleges.  These agreements allow automatic acceptance of approved courses to substitute for specific CCJ courses.  All transfer credits need to be college-level with a passing grade.

Postbaccalaureate Certificate

Those seeking admission to the Postbaccalaureate Certificate online program must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Online Program Tuition

All Criminology and Criminal Justice Online program courses have a flat tuition cost of $291 per credit, plus a $38 per credit technology and services fee. In-state/out-of-state tuition does not apply to CCJ Online program courses. PSU also charges an additional fee of $44 per quarter but CCJ Online courses are not subject to any additional PSU fees.  The average cost of textbooks is $48 per course.    

For bachelor’s degree students needing to complete university general education requirements outside of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Online programs, regular in-state/out-of-state tuition and fees apply. CCJ Online offers several online courses applicable to the university’s bachelor degree general education requirements. See CCJ Online's bachelor’s degree page for more information.

Military-Connected Resources

Veterans, active duty service members, and dependents may utilize their military-affiliated education benefits for CCJ Online classes at PSU. Get more information and find frequently asked questions by visiting our CCJO Military FAQs page.

How to Apply

To apply to any program offered by Criminology and Criminal Justice Online, students must complete two separate steps:

1. Complete CCJ Online’s program application.
   This application is submitted directly to CCJ Online and reviewed according to program admission criteria. This step is required of all students seeking admissions to CCJ Online, including current PSU students.


2. Complete PSU’s general admissions process.
   This is a separate application process and must be completed by all who are not current or previously enrolled PSU students.
   • Apply by using PSU’s Undergraduate and Postbaccalaureate Application, indicate Criminology and Criminal Justice as your desired major, and select that you are applying to an online program.

Still have Questions?

Criminology and Criminal Justice Online's Enrollment Advisor, Chelsey Huff, is available to answer any questions for anyone thinking about applying to CCJ Online, including courses, tuition, transfer credits, and much more. Once students make the decision to apply, Chelsey works closely with each incoming student individually, helping throughout the process of preparing their application materials, answering application questions as they arise, and provides regular updates about application status. Once admission is complete, Chelsey assists each new student with selecting and registering for their first term's courses. 

Connect with CCJ Online’s Enrollment Advisor, Chelsey Huff, at ccjo@pdx.edu or completing our information request form.