The criminal justice degree at Henderson State University prepares students for a variety of career paths in the public and private sector—including law enforcement, the legal system, corrections, and more. The criminal justice profession promotes democracy, law, and civil liberties while safeguarding citizens against crime, intimidation, and oppression.
Henderson's criminal justice curriculum is based on the university's mission to "build pathways from school to work." The degree program focuses on helping students achieve knowledge and reasoning, the integration of ability and skills, professional conduct and ethics, and setting a vision for the future of the profession that can adapt as society does.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice offers a curriculum that supports critical thinking, research, data analysis, communication, and foreign language. Students can choose between two options:
Option 1: Students will complete a capstone research project in which they develop a topic in criminal justice from inception to a thesis statement, develop a professional research literature review and research proposal, and develop a suitable questionnaire for collecting data.
Option 2: Students will complete a field practicum block by being placed in criminal justice internships. Students are prepared for the professional workforce at entry-level ranks so they can maximize securing level positions (those for which they are best suited and interested).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice provides students with a strong aptitude in mathematics and natural sciences. This degree is designed for students interested in criminal justice careers that require competence in gathering, evaluating, and securing crime evidence and who seek an introduction into forensics science.
Contact
Dr. Joyce Shepherd
Professor of Sociology, Human Services, and Criminal Justice
870-230-5142