Portland State University Criminal Justice Bachelor's

Wel guys I don't know how these guys got my email address but I did find this interesting. PSU offers a BS in CJ and claims it can be completed in around 1 year. Now I see you need 40 Semester hours and a 2.5 GPA so even if I was interested the GPA req holds me back. Going through TESC I end up with no GPA. What I find odd is that the website says it can be completed in 2 years but the brochure claims 5 quarters (around 1 year) to completion is possible.

Here is a link to the brochure: http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=other&file=portland_stae_CJ.pdf

Let me know what you guys think or know about this program. It certainly got my curiousity since it claims a 1 year turn around on a bachelor's. Still don't know how I would get around the 2.5 GPA.

 

Just some more info if anyone is interested. Not too bad at $200 an hour.

TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program may qualify for federal financial aid and/or private student loans. Our Enrollment Advisors can help you learn more about these programs and assist you in the application process.

Current Tuition & Fees*
Tuition: $221/credit hour
Distance Learning Technology Fee $35/credit hour
Application Fee: $50
*Tuition and fees are determined annually and are subject to change.




This is the part that conflicts with the brochure:

CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURRICULUMThe program curriculum is designed for busy working professional students. Students can complete this degree in as little as two years.

 

I can't comment on Portland State's DL programs, but I have a M.A. from this school. Here in the Northwest, PSU has an excellent reputation for delivering solid comprehensive programs, especially on the graduate level. Especially Urban Studies, Social Work, and other stuff that happens in cities have nationally recognized programs, and the business school is one of the most competitive in the Northwest. (For personal reasons, I should mention that PSU also has one of the country's best Applied Linguistics programs, but of course, no one ever cares about that ).

Portland State is still a tier 4 national university - mostly because the school has only had 60 years develop from Vanport Extension Center, a school for returning WWII veterans, to Oregon's largest university with over 27,000 students. If you like rankings, PSU ranks #7 on USNWR's "Up & Coming National Universities" list. There is a lot going on at Portland State - new buildings, more programs, more research. I have never seen a more dynamic place. Oh yes, the basketball team beat Gonzaga a couple weeks ago...

You can probably tell I love that place. Anything bad about the school? Yes, it's the most chaotic place I have ever seen. There is construction everywhere, enrollment can be quite an adventure, there are too many adjunct and assistant professors (getting better though). I'm not sure what this means for distance programs, but it could mean some grey hair.

I just saw your posting about GPA requirement. Most Oregon schools are pretty flexible when it comes to admission requirements (probably because we have quite a few horrible high schools). Why don't you just talk to them and see if they could admit you conditionally?

 

Thanks for the opinion! I think I could get around the GPA limit but my main question is one of time. When I complete this next clep I'll be wrapping up my AAS (60 hours) plus an additional 10 hours possibly from other sources. Their website states two different things. On the brochure it says the degree can be completed in about a year. This takes into consideration 40 semesters hours in transfer. Another portion of the site claims two years completion with the same credits tranferred. So my question is since I'll have around 70 hours to transfer in would my completion time be less than a year? I'm at a conference this week so I can't call right now but I really would like the answer. Any kind soul willing to call since I can right now? Looks like a good program though. Bruce might need to add it to his list.

 

looks like it takes 92 quarter hours to complete. I don't see any way around these classes:

http://online.ccj.pdx.edu/criminal-justice-curriculum/

20 of the classes are 5 weeks, one is 10 weeks. Depending on how many you can take at a time you can estimate completion from there.

two classes at a time is 50 weeks plus the one ten week class. So a little over a year assuming all prereqs are completed prior to enrolling.

 

You nailed it Kevin. I just spoke with a very nice enrollment advisor at PSU. I just happen to catch her there working late. Even better though is that the program is self paced to an extent. The brochure shows completion in around a year exactly as you described. They suggest you take two courses to start which last 5 weeks. If you do well it is possible to take 3 or more but I would imagine 5 week courses being pretty tough. So in reality this a 100% self paced degree completion program. It is a BS in CJ so it does have the BS general education requirements which is where I may have a problem since I'm getting an AAS. The GPA would not be an issue she thinks because they evaluate transcripts from all schools attended meaning my graded courses will determine my GPA.

Overall this may not be the fit for me since an AAS leaves me lacking in a few spots but it sounds and looks like a really good program. Also if the enrollment advisor is a reflection of the university then someone there should give this lady a promotion. She was very nice and also knowledgeable. The biggest thing was that she was not pushy at all like I've experienced several times when asking about programs. I would attend this place in a heartbeat if all my credits transferred. Bruce you should definately add this place to your list.

***EDIT*** I forgot to add one HUGE positive for this program. I see threads all the time about programs not requiring a proctor. Well look no further. All exams and quizzes are taken 100% online from the comfort of your home or wherever you choose. They are timed though. Hope this helps anyone looking for something like this.

 

Here is an unofficial degree checklist I was sent. If this is against board rules let me know Kizmet or Bruce. Looks like I might have problems with the sciences. I have Biology, Forestry, and Dairy Science (don't laugh I actually enjoyed it) from LSU but I think only the Biology will fit into the science. Also none of my sciences so far have required a lab.

I did find a major negative about PSU. While I originally thought pricing was pretty decent I was mistaken. Unless I am figuring wrong this is a breakdown of cost in comparison to Bellevue.

Bellevue- Undergraduate Classes-Online

Online Tuition $330 semester hour
Online Cluster Courses $330
CON Equivalency Course Tuition $400*

Undergraduate Accelerated Cohort Programs-Classroom & Online

In Class Tuition $330
Online Tuition $330 semester hour
Minor Tuition $330

So we have roughly $1000 a month for Bellevue (one course every 4 weeks) and $2048 for PSU every 5 weeks for PSU. This is taking into account taking 2 courses every 5 weeks in trying to complete the degree in 1 year (through PSU). At 92 quarter credits (PSU) to complete this degree it ends up costing around $24,000 and. Ouch! Bellevue can be completed in 1 year on the 1 class every 4 weeks program. I don't know the specifics on Bellevue though.

So anyone have any opinions? Are there any 1 year bachelor's completion programs like Bellevue but cheaper? Take into account Bellevue takes the full 60 hours in transfer. This is getting confusing.

 

I am looking for exactly the same thing - a 1 year Bachelor's completion program. The only difference is that I am searching for a BS/BA in Psychology. I suppose when you really think about it though, it would be a bit tough to complete 60 credits in one year (without testing out of some of the requirements). With Bellevue this becomes much easier, as they will accept FEMA credits in direct transfer (up to 22 credits for the electives). One could very quickly finish up the 36 credits for the major and the three Kirkpatrick series courses (9 credits total) in just over a year. I'm not sure how many other schools can match this deal. Now if Bellevue would only offer a Psych degree online!

 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with Criminal Justice and change it up for my Master's. You brought up an interesting thought for me. 60 semester hours in one year does seem tough but doable in certain programs. I just wish it was easier to search for programs with accelerated or self paced courses. I may end up with Bellevue unless other people know of any more CJ programs which take a year to complete. Portland State University looks really attractive being self paced, around a year to complete, and proctorless learning. The MAJOR strike against it is cost. Like I pointed out above how many people have $2050 every 5 weeks to spend. Too bad there are no deferred payment plans. Even so to complete the degree would be around $24,00 which is simply too much for a degree completion program. I wish Troy or FHSU had the same options as this program because the prices are reasonable.