Accelerated Online
Bachelor's degree in public service
If you are ready to have a positive impact in your community and the world—perhaps a degree in public service is the right fit. You'll emerge with analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and go on to practice in organizations fostering service and commitment to serve local, national and international organizations.
Your choice of concentrations:
- Leadership
- Management of Criminal Justice
Whichever concentration you choose, you will have the option to combine an internship or project in exploration of career opportunities in these fields. The internship will provide you an opportunity to exercise, in a practical manner, the skills, knowledge and responsibilities of a practitioner.
Quick Facts
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Regardless of which concentration/track you choose, you will also be well versed in many areas of public policy. You'll take a look at ethical decision-making by criminal justice workers. You’ll also gain an introduction to a wide variety of other topics, like psychology, as well as public policy and its effect on the American court and criminal justice system. You’ll have an opportunity to understand investigation processes like interviewing, crime scene analysis, and collection of evidence.
You’ll study the law as it relates to arrests, searches, and seizures by law enforcement, probation and parole officers, and corrections officials. You’ll even study the rules of evidence and courtroom procedures.
Required Courses
- Foundations of Leadership
- Crisis and Emergency Management
- Public Information and Community Relations
- Stress Management
- Public Finance and Budgeting
- Career in Justice and Service - options of an internship or project in exploration of career opportunities in the field.
- Ethics in Justice and Service
- Leading in an Inclusive, Diverse and Equitable Organization
This concentration emphasizes skills needed to inform your interests and the expertise needed to lead a public service agency.
Required Courses
- Intro to Public Policy
- Social Welfare Policy and Programs
- Business Research
- Human Resource Management
This concentration emphasizes skills needed to inform your interests and expertise needed to lead justice-related organizations, namely corrections, courts, justice administration, law enforcement, and probation/parole.
Required Courses
- Criminal Justice Research Methods
- Forensic Investigation
- Management of Public Service Agencies
- Criminal Justice Liability Law
Paralegal studies
Interested in becoming a paralegal? Our certificate in paralegal studies will prepare you to serve in various law firms and corporate legal departments. By blending traditional and experiential learning philosophies with a simulation-focused approach you'll develop legal acumen, analytical and critical thinking aptitudes, research and writing competencies, and strategic problem-solving skills.
Online or virtual? What's the difference?
Online courses
- Comfort of your own home
- No assigned class times
- 8 week courses
- Work at your own pace
- Flexible course offerings
- Instructor and Academic and Career Advisor support
Virtual courses
- Comfort of your own home
- Assigned night of week
- 8 week courses
- Attend class live via Zoom™
- Live professor instruction
- Live classmate interaction
- Academic and Career Advisor and home Center support
cost conversation
Total degree cost
$57,000Pay as little as
Funding your education
Funding your education
Uncommon Scholarships
Concordia offers Uncommon Scholarships to help bring this investment in your future within reach. These scholarships, which range from $150-$500 per three-credit course, are available for:
- Concordia alumni
- Employees of our corporate and academic partners (AAH, Edcor, Bright Horizons, & more)
- Employees of qualifying Christian churches and schools
- Veterans and dependents
Tuition Reimbursement
Your employer/school district may offer tuition reimbursement, minimizing the cost to you. Ask your HR department if you are eligible.
Payment Plans
Concordia's payment plan allows you to break tuition into automatic monthly payments, making budgeting for your new career a reality.
Financial Aid
Qualifying students may be eligible for Federal Aid. When you fill out the FAFSA make sure to select the correct Concordia University.
- CUW FAFSA code: 003842
- CUAA FAFSA code: 002247
Total credits
120max transfer credits
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Keep moving forward
Advancing your education can put you in a better job and increase your earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with a bachelor's degree earn 41% more than people with an associate's degree, and 67% more than people with a high school diploma.