Learn about SBU'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 SBU, 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 SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Degree Plan

The SBU Advantage

All faculty have first-hand, real-life experience and are dedicated to sharing their experiences as they teach and equip students.

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 SBU.

Broaden your opportunities by adding a second major or minor in psychology or sociology to your degree program.

Faith Integration

SBU'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, SBU 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

Full-Time Faculty

Clubs and Organizations

Behavioral Sciences Club

As a behavioral sciences student you are encouraged to join SBU'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 SBU's chapter of Sociology and Criminal Justice Society (SCJS), an honor society for behavioral sciences students studying sociology and criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Major