Academic Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Technology prepares students for careers in local, state, and federal law enforcement, forensic science, crime analysis, and related public safety fields. The program combines a strong foundation in criminal justice with specialized training in forensic science, digital forensics, crime scene investigation, crime analysis and mapping, criminal justice databases, and emerging law enforcement technologies. Through hands-on learning, internships, faculty research opportunities, and a senior capstone project, students graduate with the technical, analytical, and investigative skills needed for today's criminal justice profession or continued graduate study.

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The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Police, Courts, and Corrections prepares students for careers across the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, probation, courts, homeland security, intelligence, and public policy. The program combines a strong foundation in criminal justice with coursework in policing, leadership, ethics, intelligence analysis, counterterrorism, and the administration of justice. Through internships, faculty-led research, and experiential learning opportunities, students develop the critical thinking, analytical, and leadership skills needed to address today's public safety challenges and pursue careers or graduate study in criminal justice.

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The Associate in Science in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement provides students with a strong foundation for careers in policing, public safety, corrections, security, and related criminal justice professions. Through coursework in criminal law, investigations, evidence management, ethics, and police administration, students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level careers or advancement within the profession. The program also serves as an excellent pathway to bachelor's degree programs, preparing graduates for continued study and expanded career opportunities in criminal justice.

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The Computer Forensics minor provides students with the skills to investigate digital crimes through the collection, preservation, and analysis of electronic evidence.

Key Skills:

• Digital evidence collection and analysis
• Data recovery techniques
• Cybercrime investigation methods
• Legal considerations in digital forensics

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Digital evidence plays a critical role in modern investigations. This minor prepares students for roles in cybercrime units, forensic labs, and federal agencies.

Career Pathways:

• Digital Forensic Analyst
• Cybercrime Investigator
• Intelligence Analyst

Computer Forensics Minor

The Cybersecurity minor focuses on protecting systems, networks, and data from cyber threats through technical and strategic approaches.

Key Skills:

• Threat detection and prevention
• Network and system security
• Risk assessment and vulnerability analysis
• Cyber law and policy

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats globally. This minor equips students with the skills needed for careers in homeland security, law enforcement, and intelligence.

Career Pathways:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Homeland Security Specialist
• Digital Risk Analyst

Cybersecurity Minor

The Computer Networking minor focuses on the design, implementation, and management of computer networks.

Key Skills:

• Network configuration and management
• Internet protocols and infrastructure
• Systems troubleshooting

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Understanding network systems is critical for investigating cybercrime and supporting digital infrastructure in law enforcement agencies.

Career Pathways:

• Network Administrator
• IT Specialist
• Cyber Operations Analyst

Computer Networking

The CPIS minor introduces students to programming and information systems used to manage and analyze data.

Key Skills:

• Programming (e.g., C++, SQL)
• Database management
• Systems design

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Technology plays a growing role in investigations and intelligence. This minor builds foundational technical skills for modern criminal justice careers.

Career Pathways:

• Data Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• Technical Specialist

CPIS Minor

The Data Science minor teaches students how to analyze, interpret, and visualize data to support decision-making.

Key Skills:

• Data analysis and visualization
• Statistical modeling
• Programming for data science
• Machine learning fundamentals

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Data-driven approaches are central to modern policing and intelligence. This minor prepares students to identify crime patterns and inform policy decisions.

Career Pathways:

• Crime Analyst
• Intelligence Analyst
• Policy Analyst

Data Science Minor

The GIS minor focuses on spatial data analysis and mapping to understand patterns and relationships across geographic space.

Key Skills:

• Crime mapping and hotspot analysis
• Spatial data visualization
• Geographic data collection and analysis

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
GIS is widely used in law enforcement for crime mapping and resource allocation, making it a valuable tool for analysts and investigators.

Career Pathways:

• Crime Analyst
• GIS Specialist
• Intelligence Analyst

GIS Minor

The Legal Studies minor provides a strong foundation in legal principles, systems, and procedures.

Key Skills:

• Constitutional law
• Legal research and writing
• Court processes and procedures

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Understanding the legal system is essential for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and the courts, as well as for students considering law school.

Career Pathways:

• Laywer
• Paralegal
• Legal Assistant

Legal Studies Minor

The Sociology minor explores the social forces that shape human behavior, including crime, inequality, and deviance.

Key Skills:

• Social theory and analysis
• Research methods
• Understanding inequality and social structures

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
This minor helps students understand the root causes of crime and supports careers focused on prevention, policy, and community engagement.

Career Pathways:

• Policy Analyst
• Community Program Coordinator
• Researcher

Sociology Minor

This minor explores the history, politics, and cultures of the Middle East and Islamic world.

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Provides critical regional knowledge for careers in intelligence, national security, and international relations.

Career Pathways:

• Intelligence Analyst
• Federal Service
• Policy Analyst

MEIS Minor

The Latin American Studies minor examines the cultures, politics, and societies of Latin America.

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Highly relevant for understanding transnational crime, migration, and regional security issues.

Career Pathways:

• Federal Law Enforcement
• Intelligence
• International Policy

Latin American Studies Minor

The Francophone Studies minor focuses on French language and cultures across the globe.

Why It Matters for Criminal Justice:
Language skills and cultural knowledge are valuable for federal agencies, international investigations, and global security work.

Career Pathways:

• Federal Service
• International NGOs
• Intelligence Analysis

Francophone Studies Minor