Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Students

Whether you're a prospective student or a current student, we've got all the information you'll need about Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at Ole Miss.

Student Life in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies wants to make navigating our programs as easy as possible. It doesn't matter if your a prospective student, an undergraduate or graduate studentwhatever information you're looking for, you'll find right here. 

Here's some of the things you'll find on this page:

Prospective students will find more information below. If you're already enrolled, check out our navigation to the left to help you find what you need. 

Prospective Students

If you're thinking about pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, Ole Miss is the perfect place to learn new skills and get ready for a wonderful and exciting career when you graduate. 

When you graduate from CJLS at Ole Miss, you can look forward to working in a diverse range of fields including:

  • Law Enforcement
  • Legal Support
  • Public Policy
  • Cyber Security

This is just a glimpse into the job opportunities for graduates. There's so many options out there to choose from!

Programs with the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

Find our undergraduate and graduate programs below.

Is a Criminal Justice degree affordable?

We try to keep our degrees as affordable as possible. To help out we've put together scholarships that range from $500 to $2,000 for the fall and spring semesters.

Robert Langley Memorial Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.25.
  • Selection Process: Committee comprised of the Dean, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department Chair, and Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

Chief Richard Michael Popernik and Joan Grisham Popernik Legal Studies Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Junior or Senior Criminal Justice and Law Studies major.
  • Selection Process: Recipients shall be selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, integrity, and commitment to the program. Selection shall be made by a committee which consists of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies chair, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies professors and Joan Popernik or her designee in consultation with the Dean of the School of Applied Sciences.

Columbus B. Hopper Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies major, classified as a senior for the fall semester prior to applying.  Minimum GPA of 3.75.
  • Selection Process:  Recipients will be selected by the department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty scholarship committee and approved by the Department Chair.
  • Deadline: Application must be submitted by February 1.

Robert T. Warren Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award Endowment

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a Criminal Justice/Law Studies major.
  • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.  Selections shall be made by a committee which consist of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

Korah Pounds Omega Defense Scholarship Fund

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a Criminal Justice major.
  • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on being an incoming freshman enrolled full-time.  Recipients must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher, be pursuing a degree in criminal justice, and contribute to the diversity of the Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies.

Gary T. Hargrove Forensic Science Scholarship Fund

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a Criminal Justice major, enrolled full-time, and who has taken or is enrolled in CJ450 (Criminal Justice Research Methods).
  • Deadline: Application must be submitted by April 15.

Robert Langley Memorial Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.25.
  • Selection Process: Committee comprised of the Dean, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department Chair, and Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

Chief Richard Michael Popernik and Joan Grisham Popernik Legal Studies Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Junior or Senior Criminal Justice and Law Studies major.
  • Selection Process: Recipients shall be selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, integrity, and commitment to the program. Selection shall be made by a committee which consists of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies chair, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies professors and Joan Popernik or her designee in consultation with the Dean of the School of Applied Sciences.

Columbus B. Hopper Scholarship Endowment

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies major, classified as a senior for the fall semester prior to applying.  Minimum GPA of 3.75.
  • Selection Process:  Recipients will be selected by the department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty scholarship committee and approved by the Department Chair.
  • Deadline: Application must be submitted by February 1.

Robert T. Warren Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award Endowment

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a Criminal Justice/Law Studies major.
  • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.  Selections shall be made by a committee which consist of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

Professor Bill Luckett Law Studies Endowment

  • Criteria:  The recipient shall be Law Studies major.
  • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.  Selections shall be made by a committee, which consists of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

Law Studies Scholarship Application Information

Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply for Criminal Justice Scholarships. Some scholarships may have more rigorous GPA requirements. 

To start their application process, students must complete the Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Scholarship Application. 

Students must submit a one-page essay that outlines the reasons why they are applying for the scholarship.

  • Many scholarships require proof of financial need. Students should complete and submit the FAFSA.
  • Selection and awarding of the scholarships will take place on or before May 1 of each year.

Students must also include an unofficial transcript to their application (found on myOleMiss.)

All scholarship applications will be reviewed by a Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Awards Committee.
  • Applicants are judged on scholarly achievement, extracurricular activities, essay summary and financial need or the selection process specified by the specific scholarship.

If selected to receive a scholarship, the recipient must write a thank you letter for the scholarship donor before the scholarship can go into effect. Instructions will be sent by email.

  • Recipient must be enrolled for the fall semester, following application.

Remember: Students can only submit one (1) application per academic year. 

If students have any questions about the application process they can contact the Department of Criminal Justice.

School of Applied Science Honor Code

The School of Applied Sciences maintains an expectation of honor and academic integrity in all of its teaching, learning, research, and service activities.

All School of Applied Sciences, faculty, staff and students are expected to:

  1. Uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in their own work,
  2. Refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity, AND
  3. Foster integrity and professional responsibility as a part of the university community.