Bachelor of Science
Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Degree
Make an impact in the lives of children and families facing crisis.
Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Degree
Earn the juvenile justice degree that equips you to change lives.
Always dreamed of making a difference? Here’s your chance. With Bellevue University’s child protection and juvenile justice degree, you’ll have the knowledge and expertise you need to advocate for those who can’t: at-risk children and young adults who are in crisis, trying to cope with family addiction, violence, poverty, mental illness, abuse or neglect. And, with the flexibility you get with our online accelerated child protection and juvenile justice degree program, you have everything you need to make your dream a reality for kids who need it most.
Take one course at a time on an accelerated degree path.
As an accelerated cohort program, the Child Protection and Juvenile Justice degree allows you to simplify your study experience with a course load that’s more manageable for busy students. You’ll register for classes once at the beginning of the program and take one course at a time with the same group of peers online—have more collaborative experiences and graduate with a stronger network to start your career.
An innovative child and family studies program with the flexibility you need.
With this program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to communicate and identify crucial information to effect positive outcomes. The coursework and the capstone course offer innovative opportunities, and the flexibility of the program provides a schedule and work-life balance you can maintain.
Courses
What You’ll Learn
- Communicate research-based messages appropriate to child protection and juvenile justice audiences
- Evaluate the practical and theoretical knowledge and skill sets appropriate for child protection and juvenile justice professionals
- Analyze the child and adolescent welfare laws that influence the work of child protection and juvenile justice workers
- Analyze the effects of victimology, psychopathology and family dynamics on troubled children and teens
Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Degree Courses
Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.
Requirements (40 credit hours)
(Click a course name below to view course details)
Session 1
This course prepares students for success in their academic and professional careers in child protection and juvenile justice. The foundation for learning is established for professional skill development through practical experience. Learner strengths are assessed and analytical, relational, and resilience skills are developed.
This course provides an introduction to the process of case management and assessment. The various forms and assessments (individual as well as family) used in this process are examined. The goal of the course is to increase effectiveness when working with children and their families.
This course is designed to give students the fundamental skills involved in intervention strategies with children, adolescents, and their families. The focus is on family systems, conflict resolution, cultural differences, and developmental issues in the intervention process.
Session 2
The focus of this course is to develop skills needed in investigating facts, negotiation in conflict-filled situations, settling disputes, and interviewing a wide range of people. This course also includes a focus on understanding and developing motivational interviewing skills.
This course provides an introduction to the juvenile justice system. This course emphasizes the processing of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system. The course also explores the connections between juvenile justice and child protection proceedings. The differences between the adult court system and the juvenile justice system are discussed.
This course is designed to introduce the legal framework for child protection and juvenile justice. Basic legal concepts, procedures, and definitions are explored. The course includes job descriptions of those people involved in the legal aspects of child protection and juvenile justice.
Session 3
This course introduces the field of victimology. Topics discussed include child/adolescent trafficking, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and family violence. Intervention and treatment strategies for children and adolescents are explored.
This course introduces the psychological disorders that affect some children and adolescents. Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options are explored. Symptoms of child and adolescent trauma are included. Resilience in children, adolescents, and families are discussed.
This course provides an introduction to the complex nature of family systems. Family dynamics of culturally diverse families, non-traditional families and traditional families are explored. Community influences and how they affect children and adolescents are included. Strength based treatments and accessing community supports are discussed in detail.
Session 4
The Child Protection/Juvenile Justice Capstone reflects on professional identity and development in the helping profession. A discussion of best practices in child protection/juvenile justice is included.
Kirkpatrick Signature Series Requirements (9 credit hours)
(In addition to the Major Requirements, all Bellevue University students must complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series)
This course focuses on the political and philosophical traditions of the American republic, especially as embedded in the ideals, values, traditions, founding documents, and institutions of the United States , and considers how these traditions relate to individual citizenship and global society. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the creative tensions that exist between the forces of tradition and change as the country undergoes social, cultural, and political change. It considers the manner in which change can renew the vitality of a republic. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course examines civic engagement in relation to individual freedoms and responsibilities. It fosters engaged citizens, empowered to effect positive change. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
Integrative General Education Credits
Major Requirements Credits
Elective Credits
= 127 Total Credits*
General Education Courses
Take general education courses that do more than fill a requirement. At Bellevue University, these courses build foundational skills that apply to any career—critical thinking, qualitative reasoning, and ethical leadership. And, you can take courses individually or in course clusters, which connect three courses around one theme, building skills as you go.
Elective Courses
Our broad selection of electives allows you to select courses related to your major or expand your perspective in other areas of interest.
University Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.
This program is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.
*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.
Get credit for what you’ve earned.
Accelerate your path to earning a degree.
Thanks to our generous credit transfer policy, you can avoid retaking the classes you’ve already completed, and chip away at the credit requirements you need to complete your degree.
- Already have an associate degree? You could accelerate your bachelor's degree completion. Transfer your full associate degree or even your A.A.S.*
- You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Finish Faster
*Acceptance of transfer credits is always subject to official transfer credit evaluation by Bellevue University.
Format
Wrap up your program with a portfolio.
As part of your senior capstone project, you’ll prepare an e-portfolio showcasing your newly learned skills and knowledge in supporting troubled families, children and youth. Throughout your course study, you’ll learn from professors who have experience—often in the courtroom, who will share their insights on legal concepts and procedures, discuss relevant topics like child victimization, family dynamics and community resources and encourage peer discussion on advocacy, intervention and best practices.
100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.
Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.
Graduate with a built-in network.
Take one class at a time and get to know a consistent group of peers as you earn your Child Protection and Juvenile Justice degree. The accelerated cohort path will allow you to share expertise from your varied backgrounds and gain knowledge that makes you a better professional.
Tuition & Financial Aid
It’s more affordable than you think.
Earning a degree is an investment in yourself, and we want to help you make sure it’s a wise one with a generous credit transfer policy and competitive tuition rates.
2024 / 2025 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
Only pay for the credits you need.
Talk to us about our generous credit transfer policy so you can make more of the credits you’ve already earned count toward your degree.
Get help with financial aid.
Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree.
Admissions
Removing barriers to the education you deserve.
College is challenging, but getting in shouldn’t be. We have simplified our requirements for admission and we do not require entrance exam scores like the ACT or SAT—so you can get on track to achieving your goals. Here’s how it will go:
Prior to beginning the cohort-based online Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Degree, you must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, speak with admissions about how you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
To be admitted to Bellevue University, provide proof of high school completion. We accept the following forms of documentation:
- Official high school transcript
- GED certificate
- Homeschool letter of completion
- Certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state authorized examination recognized by the state in which it is awarded — equivalent to a high school diploma.
- Self-certification on application.
You’ll just need to complete the application and submit the following:
- Official high school transcripts or proof of high school completion
- If applicable, official transcripts from any college or university you previously attended
- A one-time $50 application fee
- Note:
- International students must provide a few extra documents. See international student bachelor admissions details.
- Students applying for a cohort-based major must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
Short on time? You can start the application and save your progress as you go. Start your application >
You'll just need to create an account and complete a pre-application to Bellevue University through Guild. Once you receive confirmation that your pre-application to Bellevue University has been approved, you'll need to complete the required steps to get fully accepted and registered. These include:
- Submitting transcripts from past institutions
- Completing the FAFSA, per your employer's benefit requirement
If you’re transferring from another institution of higher education, you must submit an official transcript from each accredited institution you previously attended. Here are a few details to note:
- A transcript can be emailed securely to [email protected] or by mail. It is required to be sent directly from the issuing institution to Bellevue University's Office of the Registrar to be considered an official document. Please check with previous institution for available sending options.
- Applicants who submit an official transcript which reflects a two-year degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution are not required to show proof of high school completion.
- Transcripts must be submitted even if credits were not earned at the previous institution or if transfer credit is not granted.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to admissions.
- Get your questions answered about the Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Degree
- Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
- Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities
