Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ

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criminal justice

Criminal Justice Major

Learn about Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's criminal justice degree program

Our criminal justice system needs employees who care about the individuals entrusted to their care. As a criminal justice major at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ, you will benefit from the individualized instruction coming from small class sizes and a faith-based approach that will teach you the foundations of criminal justice with an emphasis on servant leadership.

With both theoretical and practical emphases, you will learn about the criminal justice system, criminal law and law enforcement and will be prepared for a variety of potential career paths, such as federal or state law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, private security, research and more. Some graduates build upon their bachelor's degree in criminal justice and go on to law school or other graduate-level work.

The Criminal Justice degree is offered through Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's College of Arts and Sciences

Earn your degree in criminal justice on the Bolivar, Salem, or Mountain View campus.

Earn Your Degree at Any of These Campuses

Bolivar Campus

Be a part of a Christ-centered, caring environment as you succeed academically and grow spiritually. You’ll find our Bolivar campus is the perfect place to discover your passions while being supported by faculty and staff.

Bolivar Campus Information

Salem Campus

A higher education close to home for residents of Dent County and surrounding areas. Classes are taught in the afternoon and evening, making a degree at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ-Salem attainable for people who are in the workforce.

Salem Campus Information

Mountain View Campus

Join a tight-knit community when you become part of the Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ-Mountain View family! Students and faculty form close connections through small class sizes and small group opportunities. 

Mountain View Campus Information

Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ students in Welcome Week processional

The Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ Advantage

  • Learn from faculty with a wide range of first-hand real-world experiences in multiple careers.
  • Small class sizes provide opportunities for personalized instruction and quality relationships.
  • 14 hours of transfer credit are granted to individuals who have received certification upon completion of 400-600 hours or equivalent training programs of the police/sheriff's academies and who subsequently enroll in this program at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ.
  • Broaden your opportunities by adding a second major or minor in psychology or sociology to your degree program.

Faith Integration

Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's criminal justice faculty is committed to a foundation of biblical truth and Christian faith within the academic curriculum. This foundation adds an important perspective in class discussions about the criminal justice system, society issues and ethics — allowing for a more thorough examination of the fundamental causes of crime and society's response to it. For example, the belief that everyone is created in the image of God and is loved by Him, and that the root of crime and related societal problems lies in the sin nature into which we are born impacts how we approach criminal justice issues.

This foundational freedom at all levels of study allows students to develop a more well-rounded understanding of the true nature of crime and justice, and gives students a fuller range of ideas to effectively address current issues within their criminal justice careers.

Faculty's personal Christian faith influences interaction with students on a daily basis. Faculty pray with students and genuinely care about them in and out of the classroom.

While all courses inherently integrate the Christian faith, the department of behavioral sciences also offers special classes specifically focused on faith integration, such as Psychology of Religion, Sociology of Religion, and Agape Love and Altruism.

The department has adopted 2 Peter 1:5-7 as its department verse: "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."

Careers

After majoring in criminal justice, Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ alumni are pursuing a variety of career paths. Recent examples include:

  • Highway patrol — in states like states Missouri and Arkansas
  • Law school
  • Local law enforcement and fire departments
  • FBI - Kansas City office
  • Military service

 

Clubs and Organizations

Behavioral Sciences Club

As a behavioral sciences student you are encouraged to join Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's Behavioral Science Club, which unites all students interested in and studying the behavioral sciences, including criminal justice, psychology, social work and sociology. Club members meet regularly to encourage each other and participate in various service projects.

Sociology and Criminal Justice Society (SCJS)

Join Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's chapter of Sociology and Criminal Justice Society (SCJS), an honor society for behavioral sciences students studying sociology and criminal justice.