Overview
Every day, whether we watch the news, stream content, or scroll the Internet, we hear stories about crime. These stories are on social media, podcasts, movies, video games, and television dramas. They provide entertaining portrayals of the world of crime and its heroes and villains. The reality of crime and how we respond to it as a society are the focal points for the academic area of study known as criminal justice.
The criminal justice major prepares students to enter employment in fields related to law enforcement, courts and corrections, victim advocacy and assistance, juvenile justice, and provides a foundation for graduate study. Coursework in the criminal justice program focuses on the social science of criminology and criminal justice.
EXPLORE Criminal Justice
Anderson University’s program in criminal justice provides a combination of classroom and experiential learning opportunities through internships and specialized courses in law enforcement, victim advocacy, probation, corrections, juvenile justice, and other related fields. The program offers small class sizes taught by full-time faculty with strong academic backgrounds and professional experience within the criminal justice field.
Criminal justice is a rapidly changing field, offering a wide variety of careers. Our approach at AU is to help students find the match between their interest in criminal justice and their particular strengths and God-given talents. We work with students throughout their time at AU to help them discover and develop their skills, knowledge, and character to fulfill career aspirations in a criminal justice-related field.
Options
Bachelor of Arts
Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts with the 33-hour major. You can choose a three-year or four-year path to graduation.
Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts degree is a two-year program designed for students pursuing careers in criminal justice, as well as for individuals already employed in the field. The curriculum provides foundational courses in criminal justice and approximately half of the hours for the four-year Bachelor of Arts program. View the courses required for the Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice.
17-Hour Minor
The criminal justice minor provides applied expertise through coursework in this area.
Adult Learning
If you are an adult that is 25 years or older, AU offers our criminal justice program online. There are no applications and no pressure. Let AU help you get to where you want to go. Are you interested in learning more about the adult program option? Sign up for an info session.
Classes
- The Nature of Crime & Social Deviance
- Criminal Law & Process
- Social Problems
- Introduction to Social Research
Internship Experience
A full semester internship experience allows students to experience firsthand the daily routine and challenges of working within the criminal justice system. Internships also provide opportunities for students to explore career options.
Careers
- Probation Officer
- Fish & Game Warden
- State Trooper
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Law Enforcement Officer (local, state, & federal)
- Conservation Officer
- Corrections, Parole, or Probation Officer
- State & Federal Court Positions:
- Bailiff
- Courtroom Assistant
- Court Clerk
- Criminal Law Supervisor
- Court Manager
- Case Administrator
- Court Operations Specialist
- Pretrial Services Officer
- Family Law Mediator
- Forensics
- Private Security
- Social Services
- Victim Advocate
- Paralegal/Legal Assistant
- Compliance Manager
- Teacher or Trainer
- Human Resources Generalist
OUR Criminal Justice FACULTY
Let’s connect during your campus visit.
Criminal Justice
Neal Freeman
Instructor of Criminal Justice
Dr. Dulce Maria Scott
Chair, Department of Social Work; Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice
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