Criminal Justice

Missouri Valley’s Criminal Justice programs are designed to prepare you for a range of career opportunities within federal, state, and local systems or agencies.

Flexibility & Convenience

The bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can be completed in the traditional classroom or online.

Focused

At MVC, your criminal justice studies are focused by choosing a concentration in Law Enforcement, Corrections/Probation and Parole, or Juvenile Justice.

Personalized Instruction

The small class sizes at MVC create learning environments that help you develop critical analytical skills and knowledge of the research base and methods used in the field. Our graduates understand the theories that define deviance and the laws and policies aimed at its control.

Experiential Learning

In a hands-on field, experiential learning is essential to preparing you for success. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in authentic work in your area of concentration.

Real Stories, Real Insight

You’ll quickly discover that real-world and real-time insights into current events are routine components in your courses as many of our faculty are not only expert teachers, but also practicing criminal justice professionals.

Criminal Justice Major

You can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Your advisor can help you decide which degree is right for you.

Concentrations

The major in Criminal Justice gives you the option to choose from three concentrations that complement our core criminal justice coursework:

Law Enforcement

Career opportunities include Local/Municipal Police Officer, County/Sheriff Officer, State Patrol Officer, Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Body Guard, Investigator, and Detective. Graduate program possibilities include Terrorism (Bio, Counter, International), Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Forensic Accounting/Science, International Studies, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, and Law School.

Corrections/Probation and Parole

Career possibilities include Correctional Counselor, Correctional Treatment Specialist, Parole Officer, Correctional Officer, Case Manager, Probation Officer, and Substance Abuse Counselor. Graduate program possibilities include Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Victimology, Intelligence & Crime Analysis, Advanced Counterterrorism & Homeland Security, and Emergency Management.

Juvenile Justice

Career possibilities include Juvenile Probation Officer, Juvenile Parole Officer, Court Liaison, Supervision Group Specialist, Transition Coordinator, Juvenile Justice Specialist, and Social worker. Graduate program possibilities include Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Justice Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Victimology.

Criminal Justice Minor

A minor in Criminal Justice is a valuable asset for students who do not major in criminal justice, but wish to attend law school, counsel children, or work within the corrections system. This is a great supplemental minor for those majoring in sociology or psychology, or to have as a second minor along with Forensic Science. Designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice, your studies will include criminal procedures, law, and judicial processes, among other topics. The minor in Criminal Justice can be completed in the traditional classroom or online.

Forensic Science Minor

Do you love watching television shows such as CSI or NCIS? Do you wish you knew more about the physical properties of blood evidence, blood spatter patterns, toxicology, fingerprint evidence collection and analysis, or criminal investigation? If the answer is “yes,” consider earning a minor in forensic science while working on your bachelor’s degree in another field, such as Criminal Justice, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or Psychology at Valley. Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyze evidence during an investigation, either traveling to the crime scene to collect the evidence or analyzing the evidence in a lab. Forensic scientists may also testify as expert witnesses, working for either the prosecution or defense. The minor in Forensic Science can be completed in the traditional classroom.

► See the academic catalog for specific major and minor course requirements and descriptions.

Contact us today to learn more about admissions and financial assistance, including multiple scholarship programs. If you’re committed to your education, Missouri Valley is committed to helping you pay for it.

How to Apply Applying for Aid

Criminal Justice Beyond the Classroom