Online Criminal Justice, Law & Public Service Degrees and Certificates
Designed for working professionals in criminal justice, law, and public service.
Serve your community and advance your career with flexible online programs spanning
policing and investigations, courts and corrections, legal studies, intelligence,
and public safety leadership. Learn from practitioner faculty, build job-ready skills,
and stack degrees and certificates to move from entry-level roles to advanced analysis,
policy, or command.
Criminal Justice (Doctor of Criminal Justice, DCJ)
A professional doctorate focused on applied policy, leadership, and contemporary justice
issues—delivered online with a short virtual residency.
42 creditsTwo years of part-time online study following a five-day virtual summer residency100% online
Career Paths
Police Chief / Command Staff • Corrections Administrator • Public Safety Director • Policy Advisor / Analyst • Federal Law Enforcement Leader • Criminal Justice Consultant • Training Academy Director • Reentry / Recidivism Program Director
A fully online master’s with three options—Behavioral Crime Analysis, Forensic Linguistics,
or Criminal Justice Studies—combining theory, research methods, and applied skills.
30–39 credits (depending on pathway)12–18 months full time; part-time varies100% Online
A 30-credit, fully online master’s that deepens legal reasoning across public policy,
national security, compliance, and related fields—no JD required.
Why Criminal Justice, Law & Public Service at PennWest
Explore programs from associate to doctoral level across policing and investigations,
courts and corrections, criminology, legal studies, and specialized certificates.
You’ll build foundations in law, policy, research methods, ethics, and analytic tools—plus
options to focus in areas like behavioral crime analysis, forensic linguistics, or
compliance.
Learn from practitioner-scholars with agency, legal, and policy experience who bring
current cases and tools into the online classroom. You’ll have access to one-to-one
success coaching, career guidance, and faculty mentorship to keep you on track from
first course to capstone.
Programs emphasize applied projects, casework, and scenario-based training—so you
practice decision-making, writing, and analysis used in the field. With connections
to justice agencies, legal organizations, and public-service employers, you’ll expand
your network and be ready for roles in law enforcement, courts, corrections, compliance,
analysis, and public service leadership.
Featured Faculty
Learn from the same experienced professors who teach on our campuses. They bring industry
insight, practical projects, and one-to-one support to every online course.
Dr. John Cencich
JSD
Professor, Criminal Justice
Dr. John R. Cencich is a Professor of Criminal Justice and a program architect behind
PennWest’s Doctor of Criminal Justice and its applied criminology/behavioral analysis
and forensic linguistics pathways. His leadership connects graduate students with
advanced investigative methods and policy-level practice.
Dr. Kevin E. Courtright is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and former New
York State probation officer whose research spans corrections, policing, and criminological
theory. He received the 2024 NEACJS award, recognizing his contributions to the field
and student learning.
Community Corrections & ProbationCriminological Theory & MethodsSentencing & Reentry
Dr. Nik Roberts
PhD
Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
Dr. Nik Roberts is an Associate Professor whose teaching covers corrections, criminological
theory, research methods, white-collar crime, and media/violence. He contributes to
PennWest’s graduate criminology and forensic linguistics ecosystem spotlighted in
recent university news.
Corrections & PenologyWhite-Collar CrimeViolence & Media Studies
Criminal Justice, Law & Public Service — What You’ll Learn
Build the skills agencies and employers need right now. Designed for working professionals
and career-changers, our online courses blend real cases with legal foundations and
analytic tools so you can make sound decisions in the field, the courtroom, and the
community. Learn with practitioner faculty who connect policy to practice across policing,
courts, corrections, legal studies, and public service.
Law & due process
Investigations & evidence
Crime & intelligence analysis
Ethics, policy & community impact
Professional writing & courtroom communication
Leadership, supervision & operations
How Online Learning Works Here
Courses are designed for busy professionals: clear weekly modules, active faculty
engagement and opportunities to collaborate with classmates. You’ll have access to
Success Coaches for planning and time management, plus Career Coaches for résumés,
interviews and networking. Transfer-friendly pathways and stackable certificates can
help you finish faster.
Dr. Kevin E. Courtright, a faculty member in PennWest’s Department of Criminal Justice,
History, and Politics, was presented the 2024 Northeastern Association of Criminal
Justice Sciences Regional Fellow Award.
“I loved the forensic linguistics program. Professor Slome’s courses provided excellent
linguistic education. Dr. Roberts’ criminology courses were very helpful, especially
since I had never studied criminology before. Prof. Fitz’s courses were the best because
we worked on practical, real-life cases. And Dr. Cencich’s course was also great —
a fascinating topic, and he is a wonderful lecturer.”
Jelena Tabak
Frequently Asked Questions
Options span associate, master’s, and doctoral degrees plus targeted certificates/credentials in areas like legal studies, forensic linguistics (within the MA), and behavioral
crime analysis (within the MA).
Yes. the Legal Studies (Paralegal) program is ABA-approved, one of few in western Pennsylvania.
Often, yes. PennWest Global Online works to maximize transfer credit and streamline the transition; check the program and talk with enrollment for specifics.
No. These featured programs are designed for working professionals and delivered online;
see each page for any field or internship elements required in your local area.
How much does it cost? Do online students pay the same fees?
See current Tuition & Fees for undergraduate and graduate programs. You won’t pay fees for on-campus services,
and many students qualify for competitive non-resident tuition.
Yes. The Military & Veterans Services team helps with transferring military credits and using GI Bill®/Tuition Assistance,
National Guard/Reserve benefits, and more.
PennWest programs align with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and,
where applicable, prepare you for Praxis exams (e.g., Special Education Teacher Certification).
Licensure requirements vary by state—prospective out-of-state students should confirm
with their state education department.
PennWest runs online terms across the year and hosts virtual info sessions regularly.
Your Enrollment Support team can help you choose the best upcoming start for your
program.
Yes. Each student works with a career coach for one-on-one guidance (career paths,
résumé, interviews, internships)—and you can even connect with the Career Center before
enrollment.
More About PennWest Global Online
PennWest Global Online offers flexible, high-quality online education designed to
fit your busy lifestyle. Our programs provide the same rigorous curriculum and expert
faculty as our on-campus offerings, ensuring you receive a comprehensive and engaging
learning experience. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs,
PennWest Global Online empowers you to advance your education and career from anywhere
in the world.
