Department of Criminal Justice

Explore the causes and impact of criminal behavior and prepare to play a key role in administering criminal justice.

From enforcing the law to protecting your community to advocating on behalf of victims, criminal justice opens the door to a world of opportunities. A major or minor in this dynamic field puts you on the front lines of public safety and justice.

Criminal Justice Programs

Criminal Justice Studies (B.S. or Minor)

A degree in criminal justice will prepare you for a range of careers from enforcing the law to protecting your community to advocating on behalf of victims.

Undergraduate Criminal Justice Degree

students engaged in casting in forensic science lab

Forensic Science B.S.

The Forensic Science program provides a cross-discipline education with a solid science background to prepare you for a variety of careers at the intersection of science and justice.

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Criminal Justice M.S.

A master's in Criminal Justice Studies will prepare you to effectively implement and assess programs and policies to enhance the quality of criminal justice services for diverse populations. You will be ready to tackle some of our nation's most pressing challenges affecting all areas of the criminal legal system from community safety to corrections, and from juvenile justice issues to victim support services.

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Department Mission

The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice is broadly subsumed within the three functions of teaching, research, and service to achieve the production and dissemination of knowledge guided by the principle of a just system of social regulation and control in the advancement of societal well-being.

The goals of the teaching mission are achieved primarily through direct classroom instruction supplemented by experiential learning opportunities grounded in establishing foundations for lifelong learning. The research mission addresses both basic and applied research intended to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the discipline of Criminal Justice as well as operational issues confronting criminal justice agencies and institutions. The Department of Criminal Justice meets its service mission through participation in departmental, college, and university governance, as well as involvement in professional and community activities that contribute to the betterment of the criminal justice discipline, the community, and society.