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Criminal Justice Program (Mountain View & Salem, MO)

Complete a degree in criminal justice at SBU-Mountain View or SBU-Salem

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Our criminal justice system needs employees who care about the individuals entrusted to their care. In the criminal justice degree program at SBU-Mountain View and SBU-Salem, 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 law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, private security, research and more. Some graduates go on to law school or other graduate-level work.

Want to learn more?

Visit the SBU-Mountain View campus page or the SBU-Salem campus page to learn more about the campus, admissions process, cost and financial aid, and more.

Mountain View Campus Information

Salem Campus Information

SBU students

The SBU Advantage

  • Be equipped for a lifetime of success by a school that is committed to doing what it takes to help you graduate and succeed.
  • Receive a high-quality, Christian higher education close to home.
  • Further your education while remaining active in the workforce through afternoon and evening classes that work with your schedule.
  • Benefit from small class sizes that provide opportunities for individualized instruction, academic guidance and networking.

Faith Integration

Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered university and is committed to the integration of faith and academics in all programs and degrees. Class discussions include open dialogue about how faith impacts the academic discipline. Students are encouraged to consider their own faith and how they will incorporate their faith in their chosen career paths. SBU's goal is to produce academically qualified career professionals who are also servant leaders in today's global society.

Outcomes

A bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southwest Baptist University will equip you for a wide variety of potential career paths, including:

  • Law enforcement officer
  • Probation and a parole officer
  • Juvenile detention officer
  • Private security professional
  • Corrections officer
  • Law school preparation

Full-Time Faculty

 

Matthew Rice

Matthew Rice, Assistant Professor

 

Clubs and Organizations

Join SBU's chapter of Sociology and Criminal Justice Society (SCJS), an honor society for behavioral sciences students studying sociology and criminal justice. As a criminal justice student on the SBU campuses in Mountain View, Missouri or Salem, MIssouri, you are potentially eligible for admission to this honor society.

Criminal Justice Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
SOC 1003 Introduction to Sociology 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
SPF 2012 Spiritual Formation 2
  General electives 3
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

PHS 1004 Physical Science or Earth Science 4
CRJ 2313 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology 3
SOC 2012 Human Diversity 2
Total hours 18
 

Junior

Fall Semester

SOC 2012 Human Diversity 2
CRJ 3313 Law Enforcement Organization/Administration 3
PSY/SOC 3073 Social Psychology 3
  Criminal justice electives 6
  Electives in your minor 3
Total hours 15

Spring Semester

SOC 4033 Criminology 3
CRJ 2333 Judicial Process (spring, even) 3
BEH 3243 Elementary Statistics (Elective) 3
CRJ 2952 Emergency Management 2
  Criminal justice elective 3
  Electives in your minor 3
Total hours 17
 

Senior

Fall Semester

CRJ 4313 Corrections in America 3
CRJ 4373 Police Methods and Procedures 3
PSY 4373 Addictions (Elective) 3
  Electives in your minor 6
Total hours 15

Spring Semester

CRJ 3373 Juvenile Delinquency 3
CRJ 4333 Criminal Law 3
CRJ 4983 Internship in Criminal Justice (Elective) 3
  Electives in your minor 6
Total hours 15

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements. Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation. The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Complete the graduation requirements and general education requirements for the B.S. degree and complete one of the following three options (1) 8-9 hours of upper level psychology, sociology or natural sciences, (2) complete the requirements for a minor within the department, (3) complete the requirements for a second major as listed in the catalog plus 36 hours in criminal justice including: Note: The approved second major from this department would be Psychology or Social Work.

Download in PDF format:
Criminal Justice Plan (PDF)