Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice


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Faculty:
Wilson- Chair, Adams, Cowdin, Gunderman, Hulderman, Scott, Spencer, and Spurlin 
Justice Center 126 • 417-625-9302

Mission

The mission of the Criminal Justice Administration Department is to encourage lifelong learning and scholarship, to produce qualified and knowledgeable graduates and to foster development of ethical professionals prepared for leadership positions in the criminal justice system and related fields. The department is devoted to emphasizing quality teaching and learning, to providing an international perspective and to promoting the value of community service. The department seeks to further the study and understanding of criminal justice through our teaching, scholarship and service.

Adding to the extremely versatile Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration and the Associate of Science degree in Law Enforcement, the Criminal Justice Department offers the Bachelor of Science degree in CIS and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration - Computer Forensics.

These exciting degree programs are complemented by four minors:

The many combinations offer a myriad of opportunities for students seeking careers in the criminal justice system and related fields.

The Criminal Justice Administration degree offers academic training coupled with real world practical training for students pursuing careers as criminal justice professionals in the traditional fields of law enforcement, juvenile justice, corrections, probation and parole, and private safety and security. The Criminal Justice program provides a varied curriculum, small classes, faculty who provide individual academic attention, international education opportunities and a unique learning environment that meet the needs of a diverse student body. The program prepares students for a wide variety of careers as criminal justice professionals as well as graduate programs in criminal justice, law and other related fields.

In addition to day and evening courses, students can obtain the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and the Associate of Science in Law Enforcement degrees over the Internet. The many hybrid courses combine the benefits of the classroom experience with the flexibility of the Internet. The department offers criminal justice professionals, who have experience in the field, college credit for work experience through the portfolio process. The Department also recommends that all students participate in the internship program, where students receive university credit for working side by side with practicing criminal justice professionals.

Our faculty members are attentive to student needs and strive to prepare students for challenging criminal justice careers. They have over 100 years of combined practical experience as:

* State and local law enforcement officers
* Juvenile officers
* Legal advocates
* Correctional officers
* Criminal investigators
* Child abuse investigators
* Private security
* Nonprofit agency administrators

The Criminal Justice Department emphasizes the international mission and provides students with opportunities to study and travel abroad to view firsthand other criminal justice systems around the globe. Our faculty and students have explored the criminal justice systems of England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Italy, Israel, Spain and Costa Rica. In the years since the international mission was implemented, more than 350 criminal justice students have studied abroad.

The state-of-the-art Mills Anderson Justice Center is the home of the Criminal Justice Administration Department. The department houses a high-tech mobile Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The facility features a modern indoor “live-fire” range and two firearms training simulators. The auditorium provides a forum for lectures and advanced training seminars for practicing criminal justice professionals. These seminars are taught by nationally recognized criminal justice professionals, allowing students to learn from the experts and network with potential employers. The gymnasium and crime scene rooms provide for real-life practical scenario training.

The Criminal Justice Department at Missouri Southern State University also operates the 600-hour Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy. (See Law Enforcement (Criminal Justice)  

For additional information contact:
Criminal Justice Administration Department
Dr. Tim Wilson, Chair
Justice Center 126B
417-625-9302
wilson-t@mssu.edu

Programs

    Major
    Minor

    Courses

      Criminal Justice

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