Criminal Justice

Faculty:
Wilson - Chair, Adams, Gunderman, Hulderman, and Walthall
Justice Center 126 • 417-625-9302

Mission

The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice 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 Criminal Justice Major. BS, CJ01 and the Law Enforcement Major (Option A), AS, LE00 and Law Enforcement Major (Option B) Basic Law Enforcement Academy, AS, LE01 , the Criminal Justice Department offers the Criminal Justice/CIS Major, Computer Forensics Option, BS, CJ00 .

These exciting degree programs are complemented by four minors:

In addition to the current minors, the Department of Criminal Justice is now offering certificates in eight specialized areas including:

These certificates are both stand-alone programs of study for individuals wishing to obtain specialized certification in the various areas as well as those students who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

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

The Criminal Justice 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 meets 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 and the Associate of Science in Law Enforcement degrees online. 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 Department of Criminal Justice. The department houses a high-tech mobile Crime Scene Investigation Unit, 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 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:
Department of Criminal Justice
Dr. Tim Wilson, Chair
Justice Center 126B
417-625-9858
wilson-t@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Certificates (Undergraduate)

Minors (Undergraduate)

Courses

Criminal Justice