OVERVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM

Criminal Justice refers to the structure, functions, and decision-making processes of agencies that deal with the management and control of crime and criminal offenders.  As an independent academic discipline, criminal justice is comparatively new.  Interest in criminal justice education was sparked by the “war on crime” during the middle and late 1960’s and the resulting massive federal funding for the upgrading of criminal justice agencies, technology, programming, and for education of criminal justice personnel.

Faculty provide expertise in law enforcement, investigations, corrections, criminal law, and theory.  The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice allows the student to choose an area of concentration, either law enforcement or corrections.   Majors are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist in selection of courses relevant to individual interests and career aspirations.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJORS

Students with a B.S. degree in criminal justice qualify for employment in city, county, state, and federal criminal justice agencies, and in the rapidly-growing private industrial security field.  A number of graduates continue their education in graduate programs in criminal justice, criminology or law.  The program also offers a new Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree in collaboration with Marshall University.