Introduction to Criminal Justice | Enroll Anytime Online Course

This foundational course offers an in-depth overview of the criminal justice system, designed for beginning students in law enforcement, criminology, corrections, sociology, social welfare, government, and pre-law.

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Explore the U.S. Criminal Justice System in UND’s Online Introduction to Criminal Justice Course

Understand how the U.S. criminal justice system operates with CJ 201: Introduction to Criminal Justice at the University of North Dakota. This foundational course introduces you to how laws are created, enforced, and applied within a complex political and legal framework. You’ll gain insight into the system’s structure and learn to critically examine its goals, constraints, and evolving challenges.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore key topics including criminal law, law enforcement, courts and sentencing, prisons, and community corrections. You’ll also examine the relationship between politics and justice, learning how social and governmental forces shape law enforcement and judicial decision-making. With lessons on criminal justice theory and special issues such as incarceration, rehabilitation, and community reform, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how the system functions—and where it can improve. Knowledge checks, analytical writing assignments, a term paper, and a final exam provide opportunities to demonstrate your learning.

Whether you’re planning a career in criminal justice or exploring the social sciences, CJ 201 gives you a solid foundation in understanding crime, law, and justice in America. Offered in a flexible, self-paced online format, this 3-credit course allows you to study on your own schedule while building the knowledge and analytical skills essential for advanced coursework and future professional roles.

Who Should Take This Course?

• Aspiring Law Enforcement Professionals or students exploring the profession will gain a foundational understanding of how police, courts, and corrections interact in the justice system.

• Pre-Law and Political Science Students will learn how the criminal justice system operates within political and legal boundaries.

• Sociology and Criminology Majors will explore the social structures and theories that influence crime and justice.

• Students Interested in Public Service or Social Welfare will better understand how justice systems affect communities and the social policies that shape them.

• Anyone Curious About the Criminal Justice Process will develop a critical perspective on crime, punishment, and reform in the U.S.

CJ 201 Textbook

This course uses a free Open Education Resource textbook, Criminal Justice: An Overview of the System by Dr. Adam McKee.

How will the course appear on my transcript?

You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course. The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online or that you completed it at your own pace. 

Consult the table on our How Enroll Anytime Courses Work page for a current listing of Enroll Anytime Registration Dates and the semester information that will appear on a UND transcript.

Why Take Online Classes at UND?

Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:

• Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
• Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
• Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.

Flexible 100% Online Course

You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.

Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.