Criminal Justice Department
Our programs are led by faculty who are experts in their fields and deeply committed to effective teaching. We take great pride in supporting our students’ success. With small class sizes, you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with both your professors and classmates, fostering a close-knit learning community and lasting connections.
We emphasize experiential learning and provide opportunities for you to apply your knowledge in professional internships, field trips, guest speakers, and student organizations such as Alpha Phi Sigma (nationally recognized honor society) and the Criminal Justice Club.
Our Curriculum
The coursework will enhance your knowledge about:
- The causes of crime and the best ways to prevent it.
- How criminal cases are investigated and prosecuted in the criminal justice system.
- Evidence-based practices to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism.
- How to conduct research and report your findings.
Undergraduate Programs, Minors, and Certificates
Graduate Degrees
Our Mission
To provide current and future criminal justice professionals with the background and skills that will enable them to think critically about the problems of crime and justice and to be effective decision makers in the criminal justice arena. Central to achieving this mission is an integrated program of study designed to provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills to undertake independent, critical investigation of issues related to crime control and justice policy. The Department's major strengths are its applied perspective and strong emphasis on theory, policy, research, and analysis.
Our History
The Department of Criminal Justice was created in 1974 under the direction of Roosevelt Shepherd. The initial curriculum was law enforcement-oriented and drew heavily from Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, and Political Science for its courses. In 1983, the Department of Criminal Justice developed the Master of Science degree program in Administration of Justice. Over the past few decades, the department has continued to grow, allowing for the reorganization of both the graduate and undergraduate curriculums to reflect current industry demands. Graduate courses are now accessible in both hybrid and fully-online learning modalities.
Career Opportunities
Recent graduates of our program have pursued many career paths in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections at local, state, and federal levels. Opportunities also extend to the private sector in corporate security, loss prevention, research, and forensics. Many graduates have chosen impactful careers in victim services and treatment. A degree in criminal justice today opens doors to a wide range of rewarding professions.