B.S.C.J in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Mississippi empowers students to explore their criminal justice interests from emphasis areas in corrections, homeland security or law enforcement
This program prepares students to move directly into a wide range of criminal justice careers upon graduation and is built upon practice experience. Our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is staffed by outstanding, highly-published faculty, each of whom is committed to providing University of Mississippi students with the best academic preparation possible.
Key Benefits
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at the University of Mississippi has been nationally recognized for student research and service. We have an exceptional team of faculty who serve as mentors and career coaches and assist students with job placement upon graduation.
Graduate Outcomes
The job market for graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is very strong, and graduates are in demand in a variety of law enforcement, corrections, homeland security and law positions. University of Mississippi Criminal Justice alumni are currently employed with the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, Bureau of Prisons, DEA, U.S. Marshals, TSA, various state, local and county law enforcement agencies, law firms, probation and parole agencies, juvenile facilities, private policing and others. Upon graduation, students may also pursue Master of Criminal Justice and/or PhD programs across the country.
Experiences Offered
Every student gains valuable practical experience by completing 130 service hours through required internships with a variety of agencies, including county sheriff's departments, crime labs, local and state police, private and state probation and parole offices, prisons, county jails, FBI, DEA, ATF, law firms, and others.
Specializations
B.S.C.J in Criminal Justice Faculty
Our well-published faculty have diverse research and practical experience across a wealth of criminal justice areas, including adult and juvenile corrections, counterterrorism, correctional in-treatment programming, restorative justice, and forensic science/crime scene investigation.
Course Requirements
The B.S.C.J. degree requires 42 credit hours of criminal justice courses. The following 18 hours of coursework are required of all criminal justice majors:
- CJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)
- CJ 210: Criminal Law (3 hours)
- CJ 300: Ethics in Legal Studies (3 hours)
- CJ 324: Theories of Criminal Behavior (3 hours)
- CJ 450: Criminal Justice Research (3 hours)
- CJ 490: Criminal Justice Internship (3 hours) or CJ 499: Colloquium in Criminal Justice (3 hours) The remaining 24 hours of major coursework are taken under the student's chosen area of emphasis: corrections, homeland security or law enforcement.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice are the same as the general undergraduate admissions requirements.
Wayne Gowdy
Wayne Gowdy went on to work for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and teach as an adjunct instructor for the Legal Studies department after earning his criminal justice degree at the University of Mississippi. Mr. Gowdy was given the 2018 Outstanding Alumni Award for his contributions to the criminal justice field and criminal justice education.
Student Organizations
The Department of Legal Studies hosts two very active student associations in Alpha Phi Sigma and Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society. Activities performed by the groups include community outreach and volunteerism, hosting department activities and off-campus guest speakers, coordinating student field trips, and hosting student social gatherings.