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Why Study Criminal Justice and Criminology?

Social services, legal, and law enforcement careers are in demand in Indiana and across the United States. Earning a degree in criminal justice will prepare you for a range of rewarding careers in which you can protect, serve, and advocate for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Why 51���� for a Criminology Major?

At the 51����, we approach our criminal justice and criminology major from a restorative justice lens. You will go beyond the traditional coursework and take a deep dive into some of society’s most pressing issues, all with an eye toward protecting the dignity of all citizens and making the world a safer place.

You’ll gain a foundation in criminology and psychology and develop an understanding of courts, corrections, and law enforcement careers. You will also explore topics like violence, victimology, and race and ethnic relations. Ultimately, you will develop a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and learn how to help criminal offenders become productive members of society.

Our program’s social justice mission aligns closely with our core values. Through meaningful project-based courses, you will directly and positively impact the local community in many ways. For example:

• During our Drugs and Society course, students provided middle school students with an educational program on the dangers of drugs and peer pressure.
• 51���� hosted Fort Wayne UNITED, a community conversation about violence prevention and positive opportunities for Black men and boys.

Hands-On Learning: Criminal Justice Internships and Field Trips

Experience a trial. Observe a 911 dispatch center. Tour a correctional facility. As a criminal justice and criminology major at 51����, you’ll get to see the system in action through a range of field trips each semester.

Our Fort Wayne location — Indiana’s second-largest city and the seat of Allen County — gives our students access to criminal justice internships in agencies and organizations such as:

• Fort Wayne Police Department’s Victim Assistance Program
• Allen County Sheriff’s Department
• Public Defender’s Office
• Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Adult and juvenile probation departments
• Allen County Community Corrections

Campus and Community Involvement

As you prepare to enter a profession committed to social justice, you’ll be glad to know 51���� offers plenty of opportunities for you to serve others through campus ministries, student groups and service-learning projects. Groups that might especially interest a criminology major include:

• Criminologists in Action (CIA)
• Social Justice League
• Social Work Club
• Women’s Empowerment Club
• Artists in Action
• Bridging the Gap (podcast)

What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice or Criminology Major?

An degree in criminal justice and criminology opens you to many entry-level positions. With a bachelor’s degree and experience, you’ll have even more opportunities — and room for advancement in your chosen field. Criminal justice and law enforcement careers you might consider include:

• Case manager
• Victim advocate
• Intelligence analyst
• Paralegal
• Police officer (with additional training)
• Security or protective services agent
• Private investigator
• Game warden/park ranger
• Corrections officer
• Probation officer

A criminology major can also prepare you for law school — and a career as an attorney.

Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

Our graduates find criminal justice and law enforcement careers in many fields, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. 51���� graduates are working in positions such as:

• Investigator, Cook County (Illinois) Public Defender
• Security officer/dispatcher, Caesars Entertainment Corporation
• Canine technician/police officer, U.S. Capitol Police
• Corporal/polygraph examiner, Pennsylvania State Police
• Police officer, Auburn (Indiana) Police Department
• Home detention case manager, Saint Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center
• Field examiner, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Deputy sheriff, Steuben County, Indiana
• Investigator, Allen County Public Defender’s Office
• Paralegal, Allen County Law Office
• Corrections office, Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility
• Caseworker, Department of Child Services
• Advocate, Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN)

Graduate School and Other Opportunities

After earning a degree, students may consider earning an advanced degree in law, counseling, education or research in the social sciences.