The Criminal Justice/Criminology major develops in students an understanding and appreciation of the various dynamics related to criminality, the law, and its enforcement. Grounded in an interdisciplinary approach to examining crime as a social phenomenon, the major combines an emphasis on theoretical learning with professional field based education. Criminal Justice/Criminology majors learn the theoretical foundations for comprehending the occurrence of criminality in society. They receive professional instruction regarding the operating structures and processes of the various social agencies charged with the control of criminality in society, and they have the opportunity to research in greater detail the diverse issues related to criminality and the criminal justice system.
The Maryville student who majors in Criminal Justice/Criminology is prepared for a variety of career trajectories. For students interested in working within the criminal justice system upon graduation, the Criminal Justice/Criminology major prepares them for jobs in law enforcement, probation and parole, and community service. For students interested in pursuing a graduate degree, the Criminal Justice/Criminology major with its grounding in the social sciences has proven to be excellent preparation for future success in graduate school or law school.
To assist students in achieving their career goals, the Criminal Justice/Criminology major offers a number of unique learning opportunities.
Program Features
Student Involvement
In spring 2008, we welcomed the establishment of the student group, the Criminal Justice/Criminology Alliance (CJCA). It offers students a forum to discuss their degree-related interests, and fosters relationships among students in the program. The CJCA also helps those who want to participate in local civic events find like-minded peers, and connects them to St. Louis' criminal justice community.
A Programmatic Partnership
St Louis County and Municipal Police Academy Partnership
The Criminal Justice/Criminology program maintains a programmatic partnership with the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy. Students who meet the entrance standards for the Academy and choose to pursue Academy training can use that experience to earn 13 hours of college credit toward completion of the major. Upon successful completion of this training program and the certification exam, students become fully certified as law enforcement officers. In addition to this, police officers that have completed course work at the CMPA or another Post certified Academy may enroll at Maryville as an undergraduate student of Criminal Justice/Criminology and will be awarded 13 credit hours upon successful completion of one full semester of course work.
Senior Seminar
Students who are interested in pursuing a law degree or other graduate degree may take advantage of the major's senior seminar experience. Students choosing this path for their major have the opportunity to work more directly with a faculty member in the development of an independent research project. In the project the student explores in greater detail an area of interest in the student's chosen field of study.
The Practicum
Consistent with the University's mission, Maryville's Criminal Justice/Criminology program offers an exceptional opportunity involving meaningful community work. In consultation with their faculty advisor, students select a practicum site from a variety of social and protective service agencies in both the public and private sectors. Recent sites where students have completed their practicum include:
- The City of Chesterfield Police Department
- Family Court of St. Louis City and St. Louis County
- Federal Bureau of Investigations, Summer Internship Program,
- State of Missouri, Department of Corrections, Board of Probation and Parole
- St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
- Victims of Crime Assistance Program
- St. Louis County Police Department
- United States Probation Office, Eastern District of Missouri
- St Louis Division-Missouri Division of Youth Services
- Town and Country Police Department
- United States Marshall's Office, Eastern District of MIssouri
- St. Clair County Probation Services
- U.S. Air Force-Office of Special Investigation
- Mayor's Office-St Louis City
- Secret Service
- St Louis County-Department Justice Services
- Creve Coeur Police Department
Flexible Scheduling
We offer the Criminal Justice/Criminology courses during the day and through Maryville's Weekend and Evening College to meet the educational needs of traditional students as well as working adults.
Professional/Career Opportunities
As a social science major, you'll be ready to take on careers in fields such as law enforcement, corrections, community service, and probation and parole services. Criminal Justice/Criminology majors who choose to further their education will be prepared for graduate work in sociology, psychology, political science, social work, and law. Some fast facts:
- The U.S. Department of Labor projected that law enforcement and corrections are among the top 25 fastest growing occupational categories in the country.
- All federal and most state agencies require employees to have a college degree.
- Among agencies for which a degree is not a requirement, more and more recruiters still look for college graduates.
Additional Career Options
Positions in each tier of government are readily available to graduates with a BA in Criminal Justice/Criminology. Below is a list of your potential employers or careers:
Federal Level
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Federal Marshall
- Immigration and Naturalization Services
- Secret Service
State Level
- Institutional Caseworker
- Juvenile Detention Facilities
- Missouri and Illinois State Correctional Facilities
- Missouri and Illinois State Highway Patrol
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources Park Services
- Probation and Parole Services
- State Liquor Control Commission
Local Level
- Community Research and Planning
- Domestic Violence Agencies
- Halfway Houses and Pre-Release Programs
- Legal Assistant
- Municipal Peace Officer
- Victims of Crime Assistance Program
Some of our graduates are employed by:
- St. Charles Police Department
- University City Police Department
- Jennings Police Department
- Chesterfield Police Department
- Sunset Hills Police Department
- St Louis Louis County Police Department
- Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Federal Probation and Parole, Eastern District of Missouri
- Maryville University, Public Safety Officer
- Missouri Department of Youth Services
- Missouri Office of the Public Defender (45th Judicial Circuit)
- Missouri Probation and Parole Potosi Correctional Facility, substance abuse advisor
- St. Charles Probation and Parole
- Scottsbluff County Attorney's Office-Child Support Enforcement Officer
Others were accepted into:
- Graduate Program at Eastern Michigan University
- Graduate Program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
- Graduate Program at University of Missouri, St. Louis
- Saint Louis University School of Law
- Washington University School of Law
- Valparaiso University School of Law
Degree Offerings and Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Criminology
Minor in Criminal Justice/Criminology
Admission Requirements
If you're interested in joining our criminal justice program, you need to meet the general admissions requirements for the University.
